Marked Twice by the Alpha King Chapter 167

**Third Person POV**

Jackson stood frozen in the doorway like someone had just gut-punched him. His chest rose and fell in sharp bursts, eyes ping-ponging between Ava on the floor and Blake radiating enough Alpha power to make the windows rattle.

The man looked like he'd rather be anywhere else on the planet.

Ava pushed herself up from the cold marble, wiping blood from her nose with the back of her hand. Her head still pounded from Blake's Alpha pressure, but that golden mark on her neck pulsed warm—a steady reminder of where she belonged now.

Seeing Jackson sent this weird cocktail of emotions through her. Shock, yeah. Anger, definitely. And something that might've been old hurt. But mostly? She just felt tired. Bone-deep, soul-crushing tired of being everyone's favorite punching bag.

Blake's power gradually pulled back, but his eyes stayed that dangerous gold. Watching his daughter and Ava duke it out had seriously pissed him off. Jackson showing up just made everything ten times more complicated.

"Jackson." Sophia's voice cracked as she wiped tears off her cheeks. She tried pulling herself together, but her hands wouldn't stop shaking.

Jackson forced himself to move, each step careful like he was walking through a minefield. His gaze kept darting to Ava, then away, like looking too long might actually burn.

"I came to see you," he said, voice rusty from shock. "Wanted to surprise you for lunch."

The explanation came out automatic, his political training kicking in even while he was obviously thrown. Guy genuinely hadn't expected to find Ava here—seeing her bloodied and shaken had knocked him completely sideways.

Sophia took this shuddering breath, fresh tears spilling down her face. "I don't wanna make a scene," she said, voice trembling but determined, "but Ava's been lying to everyone from the start!"

All eyes turned to her. Blake's expression went carefully blank, but through their bond, Ava felt his emotional storm—confusion, worry, and anger at getting blindsided like this.

"She told everyone she and Jackson had no relationship," Sophia continued, pointing an accusing finger Ava's way. "But that's complete bullshit! They're fated mates!"

Her voice broke on those last words, pain and betrayal bleeding through every syllable. "And she's been using that connection this whole time, trying to destroy what Jackson and I have!"

The accusation hung in the air like smoke. Blake's jaw went tight as he looked between his daughter and Ava, clearly furious at being put in this position. The golden mark seemed to burn hotter, sending waves of Blake's complicated emotions straight through Ava.

Jackson finally stepped closer, but—and this was telling—he went straight to Sophia. Not to Ava, sitting there bleeding and shaken. His priorities couldn't have been clearer if he'd drawn a damn map.

"Sophia, baby..." He reached for her, voice soft and soothing. "I can explain all of this."

He deliberately avoided looking at Ava, focusing entirely on the woman in his arms. Message received, loud and clear.

"I would never do anything to hurt you," Jackson said, tilting Sophia's chin up to meet her eyes. "I just didn't want you worrying about stuff from the past."

His thumb brushed away her tears with practiced gentleness. Talk about smooth operator.

"Never," Jackson cut her off when she started to speak. "What Ava and I had... it's over. Completely over."

He kept the explanation brief, public, smart enough not to air dirty laundry in front of Blake. But his eyes flicked to Ava for just a second, and she caught something cold and calculating there.

"You're the only one I love now," he continued, refocusing on Sophia. "The only one I wanna be with."

Blake watched this whole display with obvious disgust. Jackson's manipulation techniques were smooth as butter, but the guy wasn't done yet.

Jackson took a breath, like he was gathering courage for some big confession. "I know hiding this whole thing was wrong," he said, voice carrying just the right amount of regret. "But I just didn't want anyone getting hurt."

He glanced between Blake and Ava, playing the part of the reluctant truth-teller. "Ava already knows we're completely done. She's found herself a new life."

Then Jackson's gaze shifted deliberately to Blake, and something cold flickered in his eyes for just a second. "Obviously, she's found much better opportunities here in Silverpeak."

The comment hung in the air like a loaded weapon. Blake felt his wolf bristle at the implication—there was something underneath those words, something that felt almost like a threat wrapped in politeness.

What the hell was that supposed to mean?

Blake's voice cut through all the emotional bullshit like a blade. "Sophia. Jackson."

Both of them straightened at his tone—pure Alpha authority that didn't mess around.

"You two need to go to your room. Now." His words were calm but carried that finality that made smart people listen. "Give us some space to handle this situation."

Sophia opened her mouth to argue, obviously wanting to keep the confrontation going, but Blake's Alpha aura pulsed once. Not enough to hurt her, but enough to remind her exactly who was running this show.

Jackson, reading the room like a pro, tightened his arm around Sophia. "Come on, baby. Let's go upstairs."

As they headed toward the stairs, Jackson's eyes met Ava's for one brief moment. The look he gave her was cold, victorious. Like he'd just won some important game she didn't even know they were playing.

Then they were gone, leaving Blake and Ava alone in the aftermath.

About ten minutes after they disappeared upstairs, Jackson pulled Sophia into their guest room. She was still shaking slightly, adrenaline and emotion making her movements jerky.

"I'm so sorry you had to go through that, baby," he murmured into her hair, hands stroking her back in soothing circles.

Inside, his mind was racing. The confrontation had gone better than he could've hoped. Sophia's accusations had done exactly what he needed—created doubt, sowed discord, put Ava on the defensive.

Perfect setup for phase two.

Sophia pressed closer to him, seeking comfort. "I was just so scared of losing you," she whispered against his chest. "Scared that she'd take you away from me."

Jackson tilted her face up to his, expression perfectly crafted to show love and devotion. "That could never happen. You're everything to me."

But Sophia wasn't quite satisfied yet. "Why didn't you tell me before? About you and her being... you know. Fated mates?"

This was the crucial moment. Jackson had been preparing for this question, crafting his response like a master sculptor.

"Because she betrayed everything sacred about the fated mate bond," he said, letting pain color his voice. "She was always manipulative, Soph. Always wanting more than what we had."

Sophia's eyes went wide. "What d'you mean?"