Marked Twice by the Alpha King Chapter 13

**Ava's POV**

Blake's quarters hit me like a punch to the gut the second we stepped inside. Dark wood, leather, and his scent—everywhere. The mark on my neck burned with each step, pulsing under my skin.

"Crap," I muttered, pressing my back against the nearest wall. Even across the room, his scent crawled inside me—pine and storm clouds and something wild that made my wolf pace like a caged animal.

Blake yanked open a cabinet door, his movements jerky. "Need to find the herbs."

"So this dust—it's basically werewolf cocaine?" I asked, biting my lip as another wave of heat crashed through me.

A muscle jumped in his jaw. "Training tool. Makes senses sharper." He kept his words short, like talking hurt.

I hugged myself tight, my clothes suddenly feeling like sandpaper on my skin. Blake's shoulders bunched under his shirt as he dug through bottles, and I couldn't look away.

"Got it," he muttered, pulling out a small vial.

When he turned, his eyes had changed from stormy gray to molten gold. His chest rose and fell in deep breaths.

"Water," he said, moving to a crystal pitcher. "Have to mix it."

I pushed off the wall, taking wobbly steps forward. "How long till it kicks in?"

"Thirty minutes. Maybe more." His voice dropped so low it rumbled. "Just... keep your distance."

Too late. As he handed me the vial, our fingers brushed.

The contact zapped through me like lightning. My hand grabbed his wrist before my brain could catch up. His skin burned against mine, sending heat straight to my core.

Blake froze. The muscle in his jaw twitched, but he didn't pull away. Didn't speak. Just watched me with those gold eyes as I held onto him.

My fingers moved on their own, sliding up his forearm to where he'd rolled his sleeves. His pulse raced under my touch. 

Blake remained silent, jaw clenched tight as he stared down at me. The control in his body was obvious—like someone holding their breath underwater.

I stepped closer, drawn by something I couldn't fight. My hand pressed against his chest, feeling his heart hammer against my palm. His scent wrapped around me—deeper now, mixed with something that made my mouth water.

He didn't push me away. Just stood perfectly still, every muscle tight.

I rose on tiptoe, pulled to his neck by some weird instinct. My lips brushed his throat, tasting salt and heat. A low sound rumbled in his chest, vibrating against my mouth.

His hands finally moved, gripping my waist. "Ava..."

I nipped at his neck, and his fingers dug into my sides. One of his hands slid up my back, tangling in my hair.

The herbs sat forgotten as I traced my tongue along his throat. His breathing turned rough, his control hanging by a thread.

We were one heartbeat from the point of no return when a sharp knock broke through the room.

We jumped apart. Blake dragged a hand through his hair, breathing like he'd run up a mountain.

"Yeah?" His voice sounded like gravel.

"Sir, we found Lucas," Wilson called through the door.

Blake squared his shoulders, Alpha mask sliding back into place. "Bring him in."

He stepped away without a word, jaw locked tight.

Wilson walked in with Lucas, who shuffled in with his eyes glued to his shoes. No Hunter this time. Just a kid looking suddenly very small.

"Where'd you get the dust?" Blake asked, all business now.

Lucas shrugged one shoulder. "Your cabinet."

"You went through my stuff?" Blake's voice had an edge.

"Just wanted something cool to show Miss Rivers," Lucas mumbled, scuffing his shoe on the carpet. "Everyone else bails. Thought she might stick around if..."

"That dust is for trained warriors," Blake cut in. "It's dangerous for kids whose bodies can't handle it."

Lucas's head snapped up, eyes flashing. "You never let me try the real stuff! How am I supposed to get better with baby toys?"

"By nailing the basics first," Blake said, crossing his arms. "Three months. No weapons. Back to square one."

"What?" Lucas's face fell. "No way! That's not fair! I need—"

"Watch it," Blake warned.

Tears filled Lucas's eyes, but his chin jutted out. "You don't even see me anymore. You're just... gone. All the time." His voice caught. "I just wanted you to look at me for five seconds."

Something flickered across Blake's face—a flash of hurt before the Alpha mask locked back in place. "This isn't how you get my attention."

I bit my tongue, the words *he's just a kid* pushing to get out. I caught Blake's quick look my way and remembered our argument. Not my place to step in. Not yet.

"Medical," Blake told Wilson. "Make sure he's okay."

"Yes, Alpha." Wilson guided Lucas out with a gentle hand on his shoulder.

Blake grabbed the forgotten herbs, quickly mixing them with water. He handed me a glass without looking at me. "Drink up."

The stuff tasted like dirt mixed with old socks. I choked it down while keeping my distance, the dust's effects already fading.

The door opened again. "Dad? Is Lucas okay? The staff said something about moon dust?"

A woman walked in, and my stomach dropped. This was Sophia, Blake's daughter. The girl Jackson had chosen over me.

Sophia made me want to hate her on principle, but dang it—she was hard to dislike. Tall and graceful in a flowing blue dress, with golden hair in some fancy braid that probably took hours. Her face was like a softer version of Blake's—pretty without being sharp. She was everything I wasn't—polished, put-together, perfect. Jackson's perfect trophy.

My mark ached dully as she entered. Even with the herbs working, I picked up her scent—flowers with an undercurrent of Alpha power.

Her eyes landed on me with friendly curiosity before turning to Blake. "What happened?"

"Lucas found my training dust," Blake said, sounding normal again. "Decided to try it out on us," He added, looking at me.

Sophia looked at me with concern. "You okay? First time can be rough."

I touched my neck where the mark now hummed. "Yeah, I'm good. The herbs helped."

Sophia studied me for a moment, a curious smile playing on her lips. "Dad, is she your new girlfriend? You never bring women home."

Blake actually looked startled. "What? No. This is Lucas's new combat teacher."

"Thank goodness," Sophia said with a laugh. "That kid needs someone who won't bail after a day."

Footsteps sounded from the hall. I should've known he'd be right behind her—Jackson followed Sophia everywhere like her shadow these days. Every muscle in my body locked up as he rounded the corner.

He froze mid-step when he saw me, raw anger flashing across his face before his politician mask clicked back into place. My mark flared with sudden pain, the old burning kind I knew too well.

Jackson and I locked eyes in a silent standoff. His rage simmered beneath his perfect smile, but I knew him too well to miss it.

Sophia caught the tension, her gaze bouncing between us. She crossed her arms, frowning slightly.

"Jackson," she said slowly, "do you know her?"