Marked Twice by the Alpha King Chapter 195

**Sophia's POV**

Jackson's expression twisted with contempt. "Friends? What kind of friendship could you possibly have? She's just an orphan from Shadow Creek!"

"And you're just an opportunistic snake," I shot back.

"Sophia, you're the daughter of the Morgan family," he sneered, gesturing dismissively at Ava. "Is she worthy of being your friend? Without me, do you think she would truly care about you? She's just using you to get to Blake!"

Something inside me snapped. All the memories of Ava and me before Jackson—training together, surviving that kidnapping, laughing over midnight snacks—rushed back with crystal clarity.

"Jackson Hayes," I said, voice steady despite my racing heart, "I release you from our engagement."

His face went blank for a half-second before twisting with rage. "You're not thinking clearly—"

"I've never thought more clearly in my life." I twisted the ring off my finger and tossed it at his feet. "We're done."

Jackson stared at the silver wolf ring on the floor, his eyes dark with contempt. With deliberate slowness, he raised his foot and stomped down hard, grinding the ring beneath his heel. The sickening crunch of metal echoed through the room as the sacred symbol—meant to represent eternal pack bonds—was destroyed beneath his boot.

That's when he lost control completely.

His eyes flashed silver—pure wolf taking over—and a sound more animal than human tore from his throat. "You dare destroy everything I've built? No one can stop me! No one!"

His body began to tremble, the first sign of an impending shift. Clothes ripped as his muscles expanded, bones cracking as they realigned.

Ava shoved me behind her. "Back up! He's shifting!"

We retreated toward the door, but Jackson—now half-transformed—lunged forward, blocking our escape. His face elongated, teeth sharpening into fangs as gray-brown fur rippled across his skin.

"Shift," Ava hissed at me, already tearing off her outer layers. "Together. Now!"

I'd never shifted so fast in my life. The change burned through me like liquid fire—bones breaking and reforming, muscles stretching, skin tearing as fur pushed through pores. Pain crashed over me in waves, but necessity drove me forward. I welcomed the agony, letting it fuel my determination.

My vision blurred, then sharpened to crystal clarity. Scents exploded around me—Jackson's rage, Ava's determination, my own fear, all swirling in a cocktail of emotions that painted the room in invisible colors.

Where I'd stood seconds before, a light golden she-wolf now crouched, muscles coiled and ready.

Beside me, Ava completed her transformation—a sleek silver-gray she-wolf with deep green eyes that held both intelligence and deadly focus. Her fur caught the late afternoon light, gleaming like polished metal as she lowered into a fighting stance.

Across the room, Jackson finished his shift—a massive gray-brown wolf with hate-filled silver eyes. His fur bristled along his spine, making him look even larger as a rumbling growl vibrated through the floorboards.

He attacked without warning.

His massive body launched through the air, jaws aiming straight for Ava's throat. She twisted away at the last second, her smaller size and speed saving her from those crushing jaws. Glass shattered as they crashed into a side table, sending crystal decanters flying. The smell of spilled bourbon filled the air, mixing with the copper tang of blood.

I circled, looking for an opening. When Jackson landed hard after missing Ava, I darted in, teeth slashing across his flank before dancing away. Blood coated my tongue, hot and metallic, sparking something primal in my wolf.

He roared in fury, spinning to face me. That split-second distraction was all Ava needed—she leapt onto his back, claws digging deep, forcing a howl of pain from his throat.

We moved with unexpected synchronicity, a strange bond forming between us in the heat of battle. When I feinted left, Ava somehow knew to attack right. When she drew his attention forward, I instinctively struck from behind. It was as if we shared one mind, one purpose—survive this together.

But Jackson was still stronger, his massive body absorbing punishment that would have felled lesser wolves. With a violent roll, he dislodged Ava, sending her crashing into Mom's antique side table. The sound of splintering wood mixed with her pained yelp, driving a spike of fear through my heart.

I placed myself between them as Jackson regrouped, hackles raised and teeth bared. Blood matted his fur, but his eyes burned with murderous rage.

He charged again, this time aiming for me. I braced for impact, knowing I couldn't match his raw strength.

The blow never came.

"Don't hurt my mom and sister!"

My heart nearly stopped. I turned to see my baby brother standing in the doorway, his little face a mixture of terror and determination that no seven-year-old should ever have to wear. His small hands were balled into fists, trembling slightly but refusing to back down.

Jackson paused mid-charge, momentarily confused by this unexpected interruption.

That hesitation was all my little brother needed. Lucas's eyes began to glow gold—just like Dad's—and his small hands transformed partially, fingers extending into deadly claws while the rest of him remained human.

"Leave them alone!" he shouted, his high voice cracking with emotion.

Jackson snarled, apparently deciding a child posed no real threat. If only he knew how fierce my baby brother could be. He turned back toward me, only to howl in shock when Lucas darted forward with startling speed, his tiny claws slashing at the tendons in Jackson's leg.

My heart nearly stopped. Pride and terror warred inside me as I watched my little brother—my sweet, precious Lucas—put himself in harm's way to protect us. Where had he learned such precision? Such courage?

Ava recovered in that moment, leaping back into the fray. Together, the three of us herded Jackson into a corner, his movements growing increasingly desperate as he realized he was outmatched.

With one final, coordinated attack, we brought him down. Ava's teeth at his throat, my weight pinning his body, and my brave little brother standing guard with those deadly little claws still extended. My heart couldn't decide whether to burst with pride or collapse with fear at seeing Lucas in such danger.

The main doors crashed open, and Tyler strode in with a dozen armed Silverpeak warriors.

"Jackson Hayes," Tyler announced formally, "for treason, murder, and manipulation, I arrest you in the name of the Alpha King."