Marked Twice by the Alpha King Chapter 117

**Blake's POV**

I took a deliberate sip of my drink. "Just ensuring all guests are treated with respect. Something the Hayes family seems to have forgotten is a cornerstone of pack law."

Martha didn't flinch, but I caught the slight tightening at the corners of her eyes. Unlike most wolves, she didn't immediately bow her head. Instead, she adjusted her posture in some subtle way that acknowledged my status while maintaining her dignity.

"I deeply apologize for any... misunderstandings," she said, fingers absently touching her family crest. "The women can be a bit territorial at these events, but it's nothing personal. We value your support of my son's marriage far too much to allow such petty behavior."

"Odd," I remarked casually. "It seemed extremely personal from where I stood."

Martha's perfect facade slipped for just a second. "Women's squabbles," she said with a dismissive wave. "You know how they get."

"What I know," I said, letting my voice drop to that register that made other wolves' knees go weak, "is that if my daughter is marrying into your family, I'm very interested in how you treat those with less power than yourselves. Shows character, don't you think?"

The message landed. Martha didn't outwardly react, but a flash of fear sparked in her eyes before she could hide it. As the true puppet master of the clan, she understood better than anyone that I could destroy their entire family's standing with a word.

"You can trust us completely, Alpha King," she assured me, leaning slightly forward. The movement wafted her designer perfume toward me—a calculated gesture meant to distract and disarm. "I'll personally ensure it."

"Good," I said, letting my gaze drift pointedly to where Jackson stood across the room with his father. "I'd hate to be disappointed."

Martha's smile remained fixed in place, but her pulse jumped at her throat. "You absolutely won't be, Alpha King."

Hours later, as the celebration began to wind down, I spotted Sarah Rivers making her way toward Ava.

"I'm heading home," she said, exhaustion etched into the lines of her face. "You coming with me?"

Ava glanced my way, just for a heartbeat, before turning back to her foster mother. "I need to get back to Blackwood tonight. Lucas has an early session tomorrow, and I still need to prep."

Sarah nodded, pulling Ava into a tight hug. "Think about what we talked about," she whispered, voice so low even my enhanced hearing barely caught it. "Your father needs you."

Something complicated flashed across Ava's face, but she just nodded, watching Sarah merge into the departing crowd.

I stood and turned to Richard, who'd been hovering nearby. "The ceremony was... educational."

"Thank you for attending, Alpha King," he said, struggling to hide his relief that I was finally leaving. "Your presence honored our family greatly."

"Honor isn't shown in ceremonies," I told him, holding his gaze until he looked away. "It's proven in how you act when no one important is watching."

The lesson clearly made him uncomfortable. Good.

I turned to Ava, keeping my expression carefully neutral. "Ava, I'm heading back to Blackwood. Would you care for a ride? It's on my way."

I saw her hesitate, weighing options as Martha materialized at Richard's side.

"I can arrange for a pack car to take her back," Martha interjected smoothly, her tone pleasant but her eyes hard as river stones. "No need to trouble yourself, Alpha King."

Ava lifted her chin slightly. "I appreciate the offer, Alpha King. I do need to get back to prepare for tomorrow's training."

Martha's perfect brows drew together. "What work do you do at Blackwood, exactly?" The question seemed innocent, but I caught the disbelief in her voice—she couldn't fathom a "traitor's daughter" holding any position of merit.

"I'm Lucas Morgan's combat instructor," Ava replied, a note of pride threading through her words.

Martha's smile froze for just a second, and I could practically see her mind recalibrating, figuring out how this new information fit into whatever schemes she was plotting.

"I see. Well then, good night to you both." Her gaze slid between us, searching for anything she could use.

I didn't give her time to find it. With a curt nod, I turned to leave, Ava falling into step beside me. As we walked toward the exit, I noticed her shoulders drop about an inch—a tiny tell that she was leaving tension behind.

"Thank goodness that's over," she muttered under her breath.

"You took the words right out of my mouth."

We reached the edge of the celebration area where Tyler was waiting, his massive frame half-hidden among the pines. His eyes constantly scanned our surroundings, missing nothing.

"All clear?" he asked quietly, looking between us.

"Just perfect," I replied, the sarcasm not lost on him. "Hayes family's living up to their reputation."

Tyler nodded, a look passing between us that required no words after thirty years of friendship. "Cleared the borders. No unwanted eyes or ears. Got two patrol teams making sure you get out clean."

"Head back to Blackwood," I told him. "Brief the council on tonight's disaster. Ava and I need to check the northern boundary markers. Been some weird activity up there."

Tyler's face remained neutral, but I caught the microscopic twitch at the corner of his mouth. He knew damn well there was no "weird activity" anywhere near my private cabin.

"On it, boss," he said. "Need me to swing by in the morning?"

"We'll manage," I replied. "I'll link you if anything comes up."

Tyler gave Ava a small nod before melting back into the trees with surprising grace for a man his size. I gestured toward the black SUV hidden among the shadows—my custom vehicle with all the reinforcements and privacy features an Alpha King could want.

"After you," I said, opening the passenger door.

Ava slid in, her silver dress catching the moonlight. I scanned the area once more before getting behind the wheel, starting the engine, and pulling onto the forest path that would take us far from prying eyes.

The forest blurred into streaks of shadow and silver outside the windows. Each passing second wound the tension between us tighter. I could smell her desire starting to bloom—cinnamon and wild honey mixing with her natural scent. My wolf clawed beneath my skin, desperate to claim what was mine.

I took a sharp turn onto a forgotten service path, driving just far enough to be completely hidden from the main road before slamming on the brakes. The SUV slid slightly on fallen leaves before coming to a stop.

Ava turned to me, one eyebrow raised. "In a hurry?"