Marked Twice by the Alpha King Chapter 178

**Third Person POV**

Jackson slouched against an ancient oak, hidden in the shadows of Blackwood Manor's grounds. His fingers drummed restlessly against the rough bark while his wolf paced inside him, still raw with rage. The memory of what he'd witnessed that morning played over and over—Ava wrapped in Blake's arms at the northern villa, looking up at him like he'd hung the damn moon.

His fated mate. In his father-in-law 's bed.

Soft footsteps crunched on fallen leaves. Sophia appeared through the trees, her silk robe catching moonlight and her hair tumbling loose around her shoulders. Despite the late hour, Jackson's breath caught slightly at the sight of her—something that happened even after all this time together.

"Jackson?" Her voice softened when she spotted him. She moved closer, brushing a kiss against his cheek. "What's going on? Your message sounded urgent."

He caught her hand, intertwining their fingers with practiced ease. The familiar weight of her engagement ring pressed against his palm. "I couldn't wait until morning to tell you this."

"Tell me what?" She searched his face, worry creasing her brow. "Did something happen with the negotiations?"

"It's about your dad." Jackson's thumb traced circles on the back of her hand. "Remember that northern villa you mentioned? I decided to check it out today."

Sophia's eyes widened. "You went up there?" She squeezed his hand tighter. "What did you find?"

"Your dad. With Ava." Jackson kept his voice gentle as he watched pain flash across her features. "And we're not talking training schedules, babe. They're living together. I saw him kiss her goodbye this morning like they've been doing it forever."

"No." Sophia's fingers tightened around his, her knuckles going white. "That can't be right. Dad wouldn't—"

"I wish I was wrong." Jackson pulled her closer, wrapping an arm around her waist. The familiar curve of her body against his was usually comforting, but tonight it felt like holding a live wire. "But I saw them with my own eyes. She's not just teaching Lucas anymore. She's warming your father's bed."

Sophia pulled back slightly, searching his face as if looking for any sign he might be mistaken. Finding none, she pressed her forehead against his chest, her body trembling slightly.

"I thought she was just trying to save her foster father," she whispered against his shirt. "I should've known she was hiding something."

"Oh, she wants way more than just a pardon for daddy dearest." Jackson's voice carried a hint of bitter laughter as he stroked Sophia's hair. "Remember what I told you about her? Always had her eye on bigger things. When I couldn't give her the power she wanted, she found someone who could."

Tears welled in Sophia's eyes as she looked up at him. "Dad's been lying to my face. All those 'important meetings' and 'border patrols'..." Her voice caught. "How could he do this to us?"

Jackson cupped her face gently, thumbs brushing away the tears that threatened to fall. "I hate that you had to find out this way. But you needed to know."

Sophia turned her face to kiss his palm, then straightened her shoulders with resolve. The vulnerability in her eyes hardened into determination. "Thank you for telling me. I know exactly what I need to do now."

She stretched up to press a firm kiss to his lips before stepping back. "I'll see you tomorrow at the ceremony."

Jackson watched as she disappeared through the trees, her silk robe flowing behind her like pale water in the moonlight. Once she was gone, he allowed himself a small, satisfied smile.

---

Morning sunlight spilled through the tall windows of Blackwood Manor, turning dust motes into tiny stars. The great hall buzzed with activity as Northern Lights delegates swept through in their flowing silver-blue robes, their movements as graceful as water. The air crackled with anticipation for the signing ceremony that would bind the two powerful packs together.

Sophia spotted Lyra immediately. The priestess stood apart from her delegation, adjusting a ceremonial bracelet at her wrist, those famous purple eyes surveying the room with calculated interest. Since her arrival at Silverpeak, the woman had positioned herself perfectly in every setting - always within Blake's orbit, always commanding attention without seeming to try.

It was time to set the final piece of her plan in motion.

"Morning, Priestess." Sophia sidled up beside her, voice honeyed but low. "Ready for the big day?"

Lyra turned, purple eyes glinting like amethysts. "Sophia. What a surprise." Her smile was practiced perfection. "You're up early."

"Couldn't sleep." Sophia leaned closer, forcing Lyra to bend slightly to hear her. "Remember what I told you about my father and that combat trainer?"

Something flickered behind Lyra's careful mask—a flash of interest, maybe even jealousy. "The Shadow Creek girl. Yes, I recall."

"It's worse than I thought." Sophia's voice dropped to a near-whisper, forcing Lyra to lean even closer. "I just found out they're not just sneaking around. She's *living* with him up at our northern villa."

Lyra's perfectly shaped eyebrows rose a fraction—the priestess equivalent of a shocked gasp. "Living together?" She recovered quickly, straightening her already immaculate robes. "That's... unexpected."

"The thing is," Sophia continued urgently, "Ava's not what she seems. She approached my father claiming she just wanted to save her foster father from execution. But now? She's clearly after the crown."

"The Luna position," Lyra murmured, understanding immediately.

"Exactly. And Dad—" Sophia's voice caught, genuine pain slipping through. "He's never even mentioned her to me. If it's real, why all the secrecy?"

Something hardened in Lyra's gaze. She straightened to her full height, silver hair cascading down her back like a frozen waterfall. "The signing ceremony today will have photographs after, yes? Perhaps it's time for certain... truths to come to light."

Before Sophia could answer, the great hall doors swung open with a heavy creak. Blake strode in, commanding the room without saying a word. His formal Alpha regalia gleamed with silver emblems of power—the Silverpeak wolf head prominent on his chest, ancient symbols embroidered along his sleeve cuffs. The air itself seemed to bend around him, heavy with Alpha energy that made lesser wolves lower their eyes automatically.

Sophia and Lyra stepped apart, but not before exchanging a look of perfect understanding. The trap was set.

Chapter 180 Chpater 179: I've Found My Luna

**Blake's POV**

The moment I walked in, I felt it—that prickly sensation at the back of my neck like someone was mapping out my weak spots. Northern Lights delegates clustered around the long table, fussing with documents and adjusting ceremonial objects, but my attention snagged on a flash of silver.

Lyra.

She stood dead center in the room like she'd calculated the exact spot to catch the light, those purple eyes locking onto me with laser focus. Something in her gaze made my wolf bristle.

"Alpha King." She dipped into a fluid curtsy, voice smooth as honey but twice as sticky. "We were starting to think you'd gotten lost on your way to your own treaty signing."

The hair on my arms stood up. Something was off in her tone—too knowing, too smug.

"Got caught up with border patrols," I lied, keeping my face neutral. My scent probably told another story entirely, still carrying traces of Ava's soap and skin from this morning.

I'd left her sleeping, tangled in sheets that smelled like both of us. That night still hummed in my blood—the way she'd finally relaxed when I promised to make us public, how her smile had broken through all those layers of doubt. No more hiding, I'd told her. No more secrets.

Lyra drifted closer, invading my space with practiced ease. Her northern scent—all pine and winter mint—wrapped around me like a cold fog.

"You look... refreshed," she murmured, those purple eyes tracking over my face. "The northern climate must agree with you."

My wolf went still, instantly alert. "Silverpeak's north country has always been good for clearing the head."

"Especially that secluded little villa, I imagine." Her smile sharpened at the edges. "I hear the... accommodations there are quite special."

My chest tightened. That villa was Morgan family property, its location deliberately kept off official records. Only family and our closest people knew about it.

"Should we get started?" I nodded toward the treaty table, deliberately changing course. "I've got a full schedule today."

"Of course." Her smile widened, showing perfect teeth. "Everything's ready. James suggested photos in the moonlight garden after. For the historic record."

I nodded, but my attention had already snagged on Sophia hovering near the windows. She looked like hell—red-rimmed eyes, tension lining her mouth. When she caught me looking, she immediately turned away.

Another warning bell went off in my head.

The signing itself went smoothly enough. Northern Lights' chief envoy James and I exchanged the usual formal words, signed our names in black ink, then sealed the deal with blood drops from both Alphas. Standard practice for treaties meant to last—our mixed blood in the ink would make breaking this agreement physically painful for either side.

But the whole time, I couldn't shake that hunted feeling. Lyra kept watching me from beneath her lashes, something calculating in her gaze. Sophia stayed on the ceremony's edges, fidgeting with her sleeve cuffs, never quite meeting my eyes.

Something was brewing. I just couldn't see the shape of it yet.

When James called for celebratory drinks, servants appeared with trays of crystal glasses filled with something faintly luminescent—Northern Lights' famous moon wine, brewed only under full moons and said to sharpen a werewolf's senses to supernatural levels.

"To prosperity between our territories," James raised his glass, voice carrying across the hall. "May the moon bless this union of packs."

Everyone raised their glasses. I took a small sip, the wine hitting my tongue with a burst of cold fire. But before anyone could drink deeper, Lyra stepped forward, placing herself squarely in the center of attention.

"If I might add another toast," she said, voice clear as a bell. The room instantly quieted—even in Silverpeak, a Northern Lights High Priestess commanded respect.

She turned to face me directly, those purple eyes glittering with something that made my skin crawl.

"To Alpha King Blake," she raised her glass higher, "not only for his leadership in these negotiations, but for the new chapter of his life that's about to begin."

The room temperature seemed to drop ten degrees. Every eye switched between us, confusion rippling through the crowd.

Lyra's smile deepened as she turned to address everyone. "Northern Lights has always treasured its connection to Silverpeak. But perhaps," she paused delicately, "we might soon celebrate an even more... personal alliance?"

Whispers broke out instantly. From the corner of my eye, I caught Sophia's expression—a flash of something that looked uncomfortably like triumph before she schooled her features.

The trap finally showed itself.

An elderly wolf stepped forward—one of the official pack historians, scroll and pen already in hand. Perfect timing. Too perfect.

"Alpha King," his voice carried the formal tone of official record-keeping, "for the historical documentation of this momentous day, might I clarify the rumors circulating among the packs? Is there truth to the speculation about a forthcoming union between yourself and the Northern Lights High Priestess?"

Dead silence fell. Every ear strained to catch my answer.

Lyra drifted to my side, close enough that her arm brushed mine in a gesture of intimacy that wasn't lost on anyone. Her cold, sharp scent wrapped around me like claiming fingers.

I felt the web closing—someone was weaving a false narrative, and I knew exactly who would get hurt in the crossfire.

My mind flashed back to Ava that morning, curled against me in the pre-dawn light. "You really meant what you said?" she'd asked, those green eyes still holding a trace of uncertainty. "About making us public?"

I'd kissed her forehead, traced the golden mark on her neck. "I promise. No more hiding. Everyone's going to know you're my Luna."

The relief in her eyes had been like watching someone put down a heavy burden they'd carried too long.

I felt the weight of the moment press down on me. The diplomatic thing would be to laugh off the question, deflect, keep things vague. Politics demanded caution.

But I was done with caution. Done with politics dictating my personal life.

I took a deep breath, feeling the golden mark on my neck warm slightly as if responding to my thoughts of Ava. The connection between us hummed, even with miles separating us.

"Since you're asking officially," I kept my voice steady, letting it carry to every corner of the room, "let me be perfectly clear: No, I am not unattached."

The collective intake of breath was audible. Lyra's smile froze on her face like cracking ice.

"I've found my Luna, my fated mate," I continued, straightening to my full height. "And soon, the entire werewolf world will know her—the future Luna of Silverpeak."