Marked Twice by the Alpha King Chapter 196

**Sophia's POV**

Jackson's silver eyes blazed with impotent fury as specialized restraints were clasped around his wounded limbs, forcing him back into human form.

Half-naked and bleeding, he looked nothing like the polished politician who'd charmed his way through my defenses. This was the real Jackson Hayes—desperate, cruel, and utterly defeated.

"This isn't possible!" he screamed, spittle flying from his lips. "I am the future Alpha of Shadow Creek! You have no right to do this to me!"

Ava let out a cold laugh that raised goosebumps on my arms. "Future Alpha? You don't even qualify as a man. A real Alpha protects the people they love, not uses them."

I stepped forward, looking down at the pathetic figure he'd become. "Jackson, I finally understand what real love is. It's not control, it's not possession—it's mutual respect. Too bad you'll never understand that."

His eyes fixed on me, wild and frantic. "Sophia, you'll regret this! Without me, you're nothing!"

My little brother stepped forward, his face scrunched up with righteous anger. "You big meanie! You made my mom and sister cry! Dad says men should protect girls, not hurt them!"

Even in this moment, my heart melted at his innocent defense.

"What do you know, kid?" Jackson snarled at Lucas. "The world is more complicated than you imagine!"

Ava moved protectively in front of Lucas. "He understands more than you do as an adult. At least he knows right from wrong."

I gently stroked my brother's dark hair. "Lucas is right. Real men protect us, not act like you."

"My father won't let this stand!" Jackson thrashed against his restraints. "The Hayes family won't just accept this!"

Tyler's voice remained perfectly calm. "Richard Hayes has already been arrested. Your entire conspiracy has been exposed."

"No..." The fight drained from Jackson's body, his voice dropping to a horrified whisper. "That's impossible... our plan was perfect..."

As they dragged him away, I shifted back to human form, gratefully accepting the robe a female guard offered me. Every muscle in my body screamed in protest. Despite our werewolf healing, bruises bloomed across my skin in purple-blue flowers. Beside me, Ava did the same, wincing as she straightened. Blood matted her hair where she'd struck the table, but her eyes were clear and victorious.

Lucas ran to her first, flinging his small arms around her waist. "Mom! Are you okay?"

My heart melted watching him—my little warrior, so brave and so small at the same time.

He proudly held up his hands, now back to normal little boy hands. "Mom, look! Your training really worked! I can control my power now!"

His voice was filled with childlike pride as he wiggled his fingers for Ava to see, his whole face lit up with excitement. I couldn't help but smile through my tears, overwhelmed with love for my precious little brother.

"Our little hero was amazing," I said, my voice thick with emotion as I stroked his soft dark hair. What would have happened if he hadn't shown up when he did?

Ava wrapped him in a tight embrace. "Baby, you were so brave, but please don't put yourself in danger like that again. Mom will protect you, okay?"

Then he turned to me with those innocent eyes that could melt the coldest heart. "You okay too, Soph?" he asked, reaching for my hand with his small fingers.

Words failed me as emotion overwhelmed my heart. I knelt down to his level and wrapped my arms around his tiny frame, pulling my baby brother close against my chest. This little boy who'd just risked everything to protect us deserved all the love in the world. I pressed a kiss to the top of his head, inhaling his familiar scent of cookies and sunshine, silently thanking the Moon Goddess that he was safe.

Over his head, my eyes met Ava's. The woman I'd spent months hating based on lies and manipulation. The woman who'd just risked her life to protect me. Her face was bruised but resolute, green eyes holding a warmth I'd forgotten existed between us.

"We were friends once," I said softly, my voice catching on the words.

Her green eyes softened, a small smile lifting the corner of her mouth. "We still are. We just got a little lost for a while."

My precious little brother looked between us, his face lighting up with pure joy that only a child could express so openly. His eyes—so much like Dad's—sparkled with happiness. "Mom and sister are friends again! Now we're really a family, right?"

The simplicity of his statement—the pure, unfiltered truth that only children seem capable of—made tears spill down my cheeks. Leave it to my sweet Lucas to cut through all the adult complications and see right to the heart of what mattered. I reached out, and Ava's hand met mine halfway, our fingers intertwining in a silent promise while Lucas beamed up at us, his little face radiating the purest joy I'd ever seen.

"Yes," I whispered. "We're family."

The sound of boots on marble pulled our attention back to reality. Tyler returned with a cleanup crew, his eyes surveying the destruction with professional detachment. Broken furniture, shattered glass, and claw marks scored into expensive flooring—our fight had left the sitting room looking like a war zone.

"You three should get cleaned up," Tyler said, nodding toward the staircase. His usually stern expression softened when he glanced at Lucas, who was still clutching Ava's hand. He knelt down briefly to my brother's level. "Good work, little warrior. Your father would be proud."

Lucas beamed at the rare praise, standing a little taller.

Tyler straightened, turning to Ava with a more serious expression. "Especially you," he said, his voice dropping slightly. "I just got word. Alpha King is bringing William and Sarah here within the hour. They'll want to see you, not..." he gestured vaguely at her blood-matted hair and torn robe, "...whatever this is."

Ava's face transformed at those words—hope, disbelief, and pure joy washing over her features in rapid succession. Her hand flew to her mouth, green eyes filling with tears. "They're coming here? Both of them? You're sure?"

Tyler nodded, the corner of his mouth lifting in a rare smile. "Positive. Now go get ready. You've got a family reunion to prepare for."

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**BITE ME WEREWOLVES:**

Holy, writing that takedown scene was SO. SATISFYING. 🐺

After all these chapters of watching Jackson manipulate everyone, seeing Sophia and Ava team up to bring him down felt like the biggest payoff ever. I've been waiting FOREVER to write these two working together ! And throwing Lucas into the mix? That kid is literally the glue holding this broken family together.

I know some of you were getting frustrated with Sophia (trust me, your comments were *very* clear lol), but I always knew she'd come around once she saw through Jackson's BS. Sometimes the people closest to us are the hardest to see clearly, you know?

Anyway, next chapter is the family reunion we've all been waiting for! William finally gets justice, and Ava gets to see her parents again. I know you won't want to miss it! ❤️