The Human Girl Who Tamed Alpha King
Chapter 88
ARIA
I am on our floor when I hear the small running feet coming up the stairs. And before I know it, Aurora comes running into the room we have agreed to make into a nursery.
“Mom! Mom!” She burst into the room and threw herself into my arms. “I found you!”
My heart melted every time she called me “Mom.” It hadn’t been that long since she’d started, but it felt so natural now. I hugged her back, careful with my slightly swollen belly. The catalogs I’d been looking through scattered around us on the hardwood floor, pages of baby furniture and decorations spread out in a chaotic circle.
“Hey, sweetie. How was your day at the Wolf Cub Center?”
“Great! Ms. Lily taught us how to track by scent. And I was the best one!” Her eyes sparkled with
pride as she bounced up and down on her knees. “She said I have natural talent.”
“That’s wonderful.” I smoothed her hair back, noticing a smudge of dirt on her cheek that told stories
of outdoor adventures. “Want to help me pick out decorations for the baby’s room?”
“Yes!” She dropped to the floor beside me, immediately grabbing one of the catalogs, her small
fingers eagerly turning the glossy pages. “Can we make it really cool? With secret hiding places?”
“That’s the plan.” I slid two design boards toward her, watching her face scrunch in concentration.
“I’ve narrowed it down to these two. What do you think?”
Aurora studied them seriously. The first had white walls with colorful teddy bear patterns and light wooden furniture. Pretty standard nursery stuff. The second was more unique–walls painted with forests and wolf packs, with sturdy oak furniture. It screamed Alpha pup.
“The wolf one,” she said decisively. “It’s better for my brother.”
“Your brother, huh? You’re still convinced it’s a boy?”
“I know it is. I asked the Moon Goddess for a brother.” She said it with such conviction that I almost
believed her.
“Well, the wolf theme works either way.” I made notes about the furniture we’d need. “Thanks for
your help.”
“Can we go outside? I’ve been inside all day.” Aurora was already on her feet, bouncing with energy.
“Sure, some fresh air sounds good.”
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We headed downstairs and out the front door of the packhouse. The spring air felt wonderful after being cooped up with dusty journals all morning.
Lucas appeared almost immediately. “Mind if I join you ladies?”
I knew what this was about. Ever since Jace learned about my pregnancy, he’d made sure I never went anywhere alone. Instead of finding it annoying, I was touched by his concern.
“Not at all,” I smiled at my adoptive brother.
We hadn’t walked far when the sound of an approaching car caught our attention. A sleek black sedan pulled up, and a young woman stepped out. She was gorgeous in that perfectly put–together way that immediately made me feel underdressed in my casual clothes.
She glanced at me dismissively before zeroing in on Aurora.
“Hello, sweetheart,” she said, her voice syrupy sweet. “You’re Alpha Jace’s daughter, aren’t you? Is your daddy home?”
Something about her tone made my skin crawl, but I kept my expression pleasant.
“Alpha Jace is in his office,” I replied politely. “Was he expecting you?”
She flicked her gaze to me, assessing and dismissing me in one look. “Of course he is. I’m Laura Blackwater.” She said the name like it should mean something to me. “I’m going to be the Luna of
this pack.”
I felt Lucas stiffen beside me. Aurora opened her mouth, outrage clear on her face, but I squeezed
her hand in warning.
“Right. Follow me, I’ll take you to him.”
I led her into the packhouse, feeling her eyes boring into my back. Lucas stayed with Aurora, was good. I didn’t want her hearing whatever this woman had to say.
At Jace’s office, I knocked and opened the door without waiting for a response.
“Alpha,” I said, keeping my voice carefully neutral. “Your future Luna is here to see you.”
which
Jace looked up from his paperwork, confusion flashing across his face. “Laura. What are you doing here?” His eyes darted to me. “And what do you mean, future Luna?”
Laura pushed past me as if I wasn’t even there. “Well, maybe not your future Luna yet, but I’m here to convince you that we would be amazing together.”
I moved to leave, but Laura suddenly whirled around and shoved me hard. I stumbled backward,
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hitting the door with a painful thud.
Jace was on his feet instantly. “Aria! Are you okay?”
“I’m fine,” I assured him, though my back stung from the impact.
He turned to Laura, all warmth gone from his expression. “I’m sorry you came all this way, but my answer remains the same. In fact, I should tell you that I’ve found my true second chance mate, and
she is now Luna of this pack.”
Laura’s jaw dropped. “What? How? When? Who?”
Jace looked at me with such tenderness it made my chest ache. “Aria is my mate, my Luna, and the mother of my future heir.”
Laura’s shock quickly transformed into rage. She glared at me, her face twisting into an ugly sneer. “You’ve been acting like you’re just the babysitter to that little brat.”
Every muscle in my body tensed. My fingernails dug into my palms as I fought to control the sudden wave of fury washing over me. Sage awakened within me, sending a wave of power through my body. The familiar warmth spread from my chest to my limbs, giving me strength I hadn’t known before becoming Jace’s mate.
Before I even realized what I was doing, I had Laura by the throat, pushing her against the wall. Her eyes widened in shock as my fingers tightened just enough to make breathing uncomfortable. The wooden paneling creaked as her back pressed against it.
“No,” I growled, my voice deeper than usual as Sage’s influence took hold. “I act exactly how you think I should. And make no mistake, I may be pregnant, but if you ever insult our daughter again, I won’t hold back. The only brat here is you.“/
I released her with a shove, watching with satisfaction as she stumbled, gasping for air. I turned to Jace, who stood watching with a mixture of surprise and pride on his face.
“Get her out of my sight,” I spat, already storming toward the door. “Or I will handle it myself. Pregnant or not.”
I yanked the door open so hard it banged against the wall, leaving a small dent in the plaster. My hands shook with rage as I stalked down the hallway, not caring who saw me or what they thought. Blood pounded in my ears, drowning out everything except the burning need to find Aurora and make sure she was safe.
No one threatened my family/ No one insulted my daughter.
