Marked Twice by the Alpha King Chapter 123

**Ava's POV**

"I'm hoping he'll get his shit together!" Blake's voice rose before he caught himself. "If she finds out..."

"She'll hurt, she'll rage, she'll cry," I said. "And then she'll get through it because she's your daughter. She's stronger than you think."

Blake's shoulders dropped. "She told me this was her only chance at happiness. That she couldn't lose this too, not after her mother." Raw pain laced his words. "She's my daughter, Ava. I can't be the one to destroy her world."

Those words pierced me like silver arrows. I fought to suppress the emotions rising inside me, realizing this imbalance had always existed between us—I'd just refused to see it.

"Family," I repeated quietly, my voice slightly shaky. "Yeah, family matters."

Blake stepped closer, reaching to touch my shoulder. "Ava? Are you okay?"

I gently moved away, looking him straight in the eyes. "No. I'm wondering if my father had done something wrong, would you protect him this way? Be this forgiving?"

Blake's expression turned confused. "That's different—"

"Not to me," I interrupted, my voice soft but firm. "I see you willing to hide the truth for Sophia, even protect someone who betrays her. Yet my father sits in prison—" I swallowed hard. "And all I hear is 'I need more evidence' and 'these things take time.'"

Something like realization flashed in Blake's eyes, followed by guilt. "I am investigating William's case, but I can't risk alerting the wrong people..."

"I get it," I said, tears threatening to spill. "I really do understand the responsibility of protecting family. It's just... watching you do all this for Sophia makes me realize... my family and I will always come second for you. Maybe that's the truth about us."

"It's not like that," Blake's voice dropped, urgent. "You matter to me, Ava."

I gave a bitter smile. "I matter, but not enough. That's okay, it's what I signed up for. I just..." I took a deep breath. "I thought this mark between us meant more."

"Ava, wait—"

"I need to go home." I hurried away, tears blurring my vision.

Wind whipped through the trees as I walked home, each step taking me further from the place that had started to feel like a sanctuary. I scrubbed my face with my sleeve, determined not to let Sarah see me crying.

Blake's choice had cut deep, but how could I blame him? If forced to choose between him and my family, wouldn't I pick blood every time? Of course he protected Sophia—she was his daughter. His priority.

But where did that leave me? Was I just convenient company until something more important came along? Was his mark just another way to pass the time?

The knowledge didn't ease the ache, but at least the battle lines were clearer now.

I pushed open our front door and froze. Sarah sat in the living room, but she wasn't alone. Martha's perfectly coiffed figure occupied our best chair, looking thoroughly out of place among our modest furnishings.

They both looked up, conversation dying instantly.

"Ava!" She jumped up. "Where have you been? I've been worried sick."

I shifted awkwardly. "Lucas's training. Had to stay at Blackwood a few nights." Half-truth at best.

Martha took a prim sip of tea, her manicured fingernail tapping against the chipped mug like she might catch poverty from it. "Jackson speaks highly of your combat skills," she said, voice dripping artificial sweetness. "Such a rare gift in a female wolf."

"Cut to the chase," I told Sarah, ignoring Martha completely. "This about Jackson's offer?"

"Precisely," Martha purred. "My son has entrusted me with finalizing the details, as his duties keep him otherwise occupied."

I bit my tongue. *Occupied screwing a wolf hooker, apparently.*

Sarah stepped forward, clutching a scroll tied with Shadow Creek's silver ribbon. "Ava, listen. Martha brought the official terms. Chief Combat Instructor position, Ava. *Chief*."

Martha nodded, her jewelry catching the lamplight. "Complete with pack housing, generous stipend, and most crucially—"

"Blood Protection Rights," I finished. "I remember. So what's the actual price tag?"

Sarah and Martha exchanged a look that made my skin prickle.

"Ava," Sarah's voice dropped to barely a whisper. "I sold the house."

The floor seemed to tilt beneath me. "You what?"

Sarah's hands twisted in her apron—a nervous habit from my childhood. "It's been impossible since Will was taken. The pack treats us like we've got the plague. My healing practice is dead. Prison guards want more 'gifts' every time I visit." Exhaustion etched lines around her eyes I'd never noticed before. "We have to be out by the full moon."

"If you accept my son's generous offer," Martha said with practiced sympathy, "Shadow Creek will provide immediate accommodation. Sarah could live with you—closer to the prison, protected by pack law."

The pieces clicked together with sickening clarity. "This isn't an offer—it's a trap. You've been planning this all along, cutting off every escape route to force me back."

Martha's expression didn't change. "We're providing options, dear. Every day sooner you qualify for Blood Protection Rights, your father sits in that cell one day less"

"Martha found the buyer," Sarah added, desperation threading her voice. "This could be our chance, Ava. To be together again, to save Will."

I looked into Sarah's hopeful eyes—the woman who'd raised me, who'd loved me when no one else would. My chest tightened until breathing hurt.

Tonight, I'd learned exactly where I stood with Blake. Now my family needed me to choose.

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**BITE ME WEREWOLVES:** These two are KILLING ME! 😱 Blake's all daddy-bear protective! Ava's torn between heart and duty! NEITHER ONE THINKING STRAIGHT! And Martha buying the house? Pure. Evil. Genius. 🐺 But don't worry, loves and loyalty this strong don't break easily... they just need to get their heads screwed on straight! The question is: Ava' CHOICE? Will Blake realize what he's about to lose? SO MUCH TENSION! See you in the next chapters!