Marked Twice by the Alpha King Chapter 114

**Ava's POV**

The cleaning room door clicked shut behind us. I spun around to face my mom, my voice barely above a whisper.

"Seriously? You're buying Jackson's offer? This reeks of bullshit."

My mom's shoulders slumped as she dropped onto a small stool in the corner. Dark circles shadowed her eyes, making her look ghostly under the harsh fluorescent lighting.

"What choice do I have, Ava?" She rubbed her temples. "William's losing weight. The guards are... they're not kind to him."

My stomach knotted. I'd tried not to picture Dad in that concrete box they called a cell, tried not to imagine what "not kind" might look like.

"But Jackson? Come on." I grabbed a towel and scrubbed at the wine stains on my neck. "The same jackass who tossed me aside like yesterday's garbage? Who just stood there while his grandmother humiliated me? And now he's Mr. Helpful?"

"You think I don't know that?" My mom's voice cracked. "You think I wouldn't rather punch him in his perfect teeth than accept his help?"

That pulled me up short. I'd never heard her talk like that before.

"The Blood Protection Right is real, Ava." Her fingers twisted in her lap. "If you regain pack status as an instructor, you could invoke it. Even Hayes can't ignore ancient law without losing face."

The wine had dried sticky on my skin. I ran the damp towel along my collarbone, mind racing. This was classic Jackson—dangling hope like bait in a trap.

"Going back means giving up everything at Blackwood," I said quietly. "Lucas's training, the stability..."

*Blake*. I couldn't say his name out loud, but he filled my thoughts. Our secret cabin. His laugh in the darkness. The way his eyes turned molten gold when he wanted me.

My mom reached for my hand, her cool fingers squeezing mine. "I know it's not fair. None of this is." A tear slipped down her cheek. "But Will is running out of time."

My throat tightened. My mom wasn't just my foster mom anymore—she was a woman watching her husband waste away in prison for a crime he didn't commit.

"What if it's a trap?" I leaned against the sink. "Jackson doesn't do favors. Ever."

"Maybe he's trying to look good to the pack." She shrugged. "Magnanimous future Alpha forgives traitor's daughter. Great PR."

I snorted. "You really think Mr. Self-Absorbed grew a conscience overnight?"

"Hell no." For a second, My mom's old spark flashed in her eyes. "But if he wants to use us for his image, why not use him right back?"

I blinked, caught off guard by her calculating tone. Turns out my sweet foster mom had claws when backed into a corner.

"Jackson wants an answer by tomorrow," she added, her voice softening again. "He needs time to submit the application before the council meeting."

"Of course he does." I rolled my eyes. "Heaven forbid I get five minutes to think."

SarMy momood, smoothing her rumpled dress. "Ava, I'll back whatever you decide. Just... please think about it. William needs us."

I nodded, the weight of the decision pressing down like a mountain on my shoulders.

"One more thing," my mom paused at the door. "What's Blake Morgan really like? I saw how he stepped in for you."

My pulse skittered. I busied myself with wiping wine from my dress. "Just professional stuff. I barely see him. I'm with Lucas most of the time."

"The rumor mill says he's got quite the... history with women." Her tone turned cautious. "A different one at every full moon gathering."

I bit back a laugh. The Blake I knew barely had time to eat, let alone juggle multiple women. "People talk. It's what they do."

"They say his temper's legendary too." My mom lowered her voice. "Last pack meeting, he publicly destroyed some Beta over nothing. The guy left town."

In my mind, I saw Blake's controlled rage after my humiliation—not the mark of a hothead, but of someone protective to his core.

"Probably gossip," I shrugged, careful to keep my expression neutral.

My mom squeezed my arm. "Just watch yourself, okay? Men like Morgan—men with that kind of power—they don't see people like us as equals. To him, you're just staff. Replaceable."

If she only knew about the golden mark burning under my collar, about Blake's whispered promises, about how he looked at me like I was irreplaceable. She'd have a stroke on the spot.

"I love you, kiddo." She kissed my cheek. "I'm going to work the room, see if there's anyone else who might help. Meet you by the entrance in an hour?"

After she left, I turned to the mirror, pushing aside my hair to expose my neck. The mark gleamed in the harsh light.

The warmth of it pulsed in time with my heartbeat. Going back to Shadow Creek meant giving this up. Giving *him* up.

The door swung open without warning. I yanked my hair down and whirled around, fists raised—only to find Blake filling the doorframe, eyes burning like blue fire.

"Jesus!" I hissed, quickly checking the door was shut. "Are you trying to get caught?"

"Nobody saw me." He crossed the tiny room in two strides. "I checked."

"That's not the—" My protest died as he cupped my face in his hands.

"They humiliated you," he growled softly, thumbs brushing my cheeks. "Took everything I had not to tear the place apart."

"I can handle a little wine to the face." I tried to sound tough, but found myself leaning into his touch. "Not my first rodeo with Hayes family hospitality."

"I know you can handle it." The corner of his mouth lifted. "Doesn't mean you should have to."

His gaze dropped to my lips, and the air between us crackled like a live wire. I could feel his heartbeat picking up speed, our marks connecting in that weird way that still caught me off guard.

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**Author's Note:** OMG guys! Talk about being stuck between a rock and a sexy Alpha! 😩 Poor Ava's got Jackson dangling her dad's freedom like bait while Blake's over here making her heart race. What would YOU do? Choose family duty or follow your heart? And can we talk about Sarah dropping those Blake rumors?! 👀 The tension is KILLING me! Will Ava make the right choice? See you in the next chapter! Drop your predictions below! 💕