Marked Twice by the Alpha King Chapter 15

**Ava's POV**

I paced at the edge of Blackwood Manor's training grounds, digging my nails into my palms to keep my wolf in check. Every pulse of anger threatened to push claws through my fingertips. Jackson had won this round—that smug display with the Eternal Loyalty ring was calculated to cut me where it hurt most.

The centuries-old tradition wasn't lost on me. Wolves only gave that ring once in their lifetime. I'd watched my mother trace her finger over my father's matching band countless times, the symbol of their unbreakable bond. Now I'd have to stomach seeing it on Sophia's hand at every pack gathering, a constant reminder that Jackson had saved it for someone "worthier."

I inhaled deeply, willing my claws to stay put. Shifting on Silverpeak territory out of rage? Not the smartest move.

"You're coming back tomorrow, right?" 

Lucas's voice yanked me back to reality. He stood a few feet away, Hunter shadowing him, those golden eyes locked on me with unsettling focus.

I dropped to one knee, meeting him at eye level. "Course I am. If your dad's cool with it."

"Will you show me how to talk to real wolves?" His face lit up. "Like you said?"

Something warm bloomed in my chest despite everything. This serious little kid with his desperate need to prove himself was worming his way into my heart at record speed.

"I will," I promised. "But basics first, remember? Your dad's three-month no-fancy-stuff rule is still on."

Lucas scrunched his nose but nodded. "Fine. Just don't bail like everyone else."

"Not going anywhere," I said, surprised by how much I meant it.

"Lucas, Wilson's looking for you." 

Blake's voice carried across the yard without him needing to raise it. His scent reached me before he did, that now-familiar mix of pine and storm clouds.

"But Dad—" Lucas started.

"Now, Lucas." Blake's tone left zero wiggle room. "Finish your studies. Ava will be back tomorrow."

Lucas sighed dramatically in that universal kid language of protest. "Tomorrow?"

"Tomorrow," I confirmed with a firm nod.

Hunter gave my hand a quick lick—still weird—before trotting after Lucas toward the main house.

I turned to Blake, my mark warming slightly as our eyes met. "Should probably head out," I said, carefully avoiding Jackson's glare from across the yard. "Thanks for the job, Alpha King. We could maybe set up a time to talk about Lucas's training? I can sign that Blood Oath when I'm back on my turf."

Blake watched me, face unreadable. "Wilson has your address. I'll send someone."

"Father, why not have someone escort Ava home?" Sophia appeared beside us, all sunshine and good intentions. "She walked here, didn't she?"

I caught Jackson watching us, his expression stormy as a hurricane.

"That's really not—" I started quickly.

"Yes, my warrior chief will escort her," Blake cut in, surprising me.

Our eyes locked, and something electric passed between us.

"Actually, I'll take her myself," he added. "We have matters to discuss."

I opened my mouth to protest, but Blake's eyes flashed that unmistakable Alpha gold that said arguing was pointless. I shut my mouth and nodded.

"Perfect!" Sophia clapped her hands together lightly. "Lovely meeting you, Ava. Hope we can be friends soon. I'm dying for some real girl time around here."

I forced a smile and nodded, though becoming besties with Jackson's fiancée ranked somewhere between getting a tooth pulled and swimming in silver dust on my to-do list. Still, her warmth seemed genuine, and pissing off the daughter of the only man who might save my dad wasn't exactly strategic.

Tyler appeared at the entrance holding a scroll stamped with Silverpeak's wolf emblem.

"Got that Blood Oath contract," he said to Blake, handing over the document.

He nodded at me, respect evident in his stance. "Heard you passed Lucas's gauntlet. Not many do."

"Thanks," I said. "Hunter seems to think I'm alright."

"That beast trusts about three people in the entire world," Tyler's mouth quirked. "Make that four now."

"Let's move," Blake tucked the scroll into his jacket, his tone clipped.

I noticed how his shoulders relaxed slightly around Tyler—interesting—as he guided me toward a sleek black carriage marked with silver wolves.

A guard jumped down, quickly opened the door and bowed his head to Blake. I slipped inside with a quick smile to the guard, Blake following close behind.

"Where to, Alpha King?" the guard asked.

"Moonlight Lodge," Blake replied.

I whipped my head toward him. "Thought you were dumping me back at Shadow Creek?"

"Need to talk," Blake said, keeping his voice low. "And you haven't eaten. I can hear your stomach."

I almost asked about my father several times, but the guard's presence made me swallow my questions. William's clock was ticking—the full moon and his execution date edging closer by the hour.

The carriage pulled up to Moonlight Lodge, my stomach knotting. Last time I was here, Jackson's goons had humiliated me, and Jackson himself nearly crushed my windpipe.

Inside, the staff practically tripped over themselves greeting Blake. Other patrons bowed respectfully, but when they spotted me, the whispers started like wildfire.

"Traitor's daughter" and "marked leftover" floated around the room. I kept my chin up, refusing to shrink. Nothing I hadn't heard before.

"Evening, Mr. Morgan," the host smiled. "Your usual spot is ready."

"Thanks," Blake nodded.

We followed him through the main dining area with its weapons and pack totems toward a secluded corner overlooking moonlit forests and mountains.

A drunk wolf suddenly stepped into our path, swaying slightly.

"Well, well," he slurred, bloodshot eyes fixed on me. "Alpha King's got himself Shadow Creek trash."

The room went dead silent. You could've heard a pin drop.

Blake didn't speak, but his Alpha aura hit the room like a physical wave. Several wolves automatically lowered their heads, the drunk included, their bodies recognizing supreme authority before their brains caught up.

"Sit. Down." Just two words, whisper-quiet, and the drunk collapsed into his chair like his legs had turned to jelly.

Blake's hand settled lightly on my lower back, guiding me forward. The protective gesture might as well have been a neon sign to everyone watching.

In our private booth, I sighed. "Sorry about that. Not exactly great for your image."

"Couldn't care less," Blake replied, surprising me with his tone.

A waitress appeared, practically tripping over herself to serve Blake while shooting daggers at me.

"What would you like?" Blake asked.

"Just a salad," I said, handing back the menu.

"She'll have the venison," Blake corrected. "And a bottle of Silverpine."

"Right away, Alpha King," she breathed before scurrying off.

"You need protein, not rabbit food," Blake said when he caught my raised eyebrow.

Once alone, Blake leaned forward, his voice dropping.

"About your father," he said quietly. "I've been digging into his case."

My heart stuttered. "And?"

"Numbers don't add up," Blake's eyes darkened. "Hayes' story has holes big enough to drive a truck through. I need more proof, but I think someone set your father up."

Blake cleared his throat.

"But first," he said, studying me with those storm-cloud eyes, "we need to talk about you and Jackson."