Marked Twice by the Alpha King Chapter 50

**Blake's POV**

The tribal council had sucked the life out of me. I kicked the manor door shut behind me, savoring the heavy thud. 

My shoulders dropped an inch. Here, at least, I didn't have to be the unshakable Alpha King. Just tired, cranky Blake Morgan with a pounding headache.

I closed my eyes, letting my senses map the house. Lucas was probably in the training room, Sophia likely out or perhaps in her room preparing for the wedding. And Ava... I wondered if her back had healed.

My eyes snapped open and I felt confused, agitated. Why did I care?

"Everything satisfactory, Alpha King?"

Wilson stood at the foot of the stairs, spine rigid as a silver pole, eyes carefully bland.

"Fine," I muttered, the word clipped. "Lucas still training?"

"Indeed, sir. With Miss Rivers." The way he said her name—like picking up something distasteful—made my jaw tighten.

I'd deal with Wilson's attitude later. Right now, checking on Lucas seemed as good an excuse as any to stretch my legs.

Halfway down the corridor, my hackles rose. The air changed—tension, anger, fear. My pace quickened automatically, instincts shifting into high alert. Through the heavy oak door came muffled sounds: harsh whispers, the thud of bodies, a breathless "let go."

And smells—Ava's scent spiked with adrenaline and fury. And intertwined with it, a scent that had no business being here.

Jackson Hayes.

The door slammed open under my hand. 

Jackson had Ava pinned against the stone wall, one hand clamped around her wrists, the other gripping her jaw, forcing her head to the side. His mouth hovered over her neck where I knew her mark sat, his body pressed against hers. She was twisting, fighting, but caught at the wrong angle.

My vision washed red.

"What the fuck is happening here?"

Jackson froze. The pressure of my Alpha energy hit him physically, making him stumble back from Ava. His face went slack with terror as his knees buckled. Head down, neck exposed—submission.

Too little, too late.

I crossed the room in three strides, grabbed him by the throat, and slammed him into the wall hard enough that mortar dust rained down. The stone cracked behind him with a satisfying crunch.

"I warned you."

Jackson dangled from my grip, choking, his feet scrabbling against the wall. His face purpled as he fought for air, eyes bulging. The wolf in me howled for blood. Break his neck. Tear him apart. Show him what happens when he touches what's mine—

A warm hand touched my back.

"Blake, stop." Ava's voice cut through the red fog. "He's not worth it."

I tightened my grip, feeling Jackson's pulse flutter under my fingers.

"Sophia would be devastated," Ava added softly. "Don't make her pay for his stupidity."

The reminder of my daughter hit like ice water. I dropped Jackson like garbage, watching him crumple to the floor in a pathetic heap, wheezing and clutching his throat.

"Get up," I snapped.

He struggled to his feet, weaving like a drunk, eyes fixed on the floor.

"Touch her again," I said, "and Sophia's feelings won't save you. Alpha or not, I'll tear your spine out through your throat. Understand?"

Jackson nodded frantically, still not looking up.

"Now get the fuck out of my sight."

He stumbled toward the door, half-crawling, the smell of fear pouring off him like sweat.

When the door closed behind him, the silence felt electric. Ava stood watching me, chest rising and falling rapidly, face flushed. Her hair had come loose from its practical braid, wild strands framing her face. Something primitive curled in my gut at the sight.

"You okay?" I managed, trying to sound normal and failing.

Her chin jerked up in that stubborn way that drove me crazy. "Fine."

My temper flared. "Fine? That's it? I walk in and find Jackson manhandling you, and all you've got is 'fine'?"

"What do you want me to say?" She yanked her combat jacket straight.

I stepped closer, crowding her space. "I want to know why my daughter's fiancé had his hands all over you."

Her eyes flashed, bright green fire. "You think I wanted him to touch me? Are you serious right now?"

"You must have given him some reason—"

"Oh, that's rich." She jabbed a finger at my chest. "Blame the victim. Real Alpha move."

I caught her wrist. "A trained warrior like you could have broken free if you really wanted to."

The second the words left my mouth, I regretted them. Her face went blank with shock, then flooded with hurt before hardening into fury.

"Fuck you, Blake." Her voice dropped dangerously low. "Let go of me."

I released her wrist like it burned. What the hell was wrong with me? I knew Jackson was the aggressor. I'd seen it with my own eyes.

"Ava, I didn't mean—"

The door swung open. Sophia walked in first, her smile bright, followed by Lucas and—goddammit—Jackson. How had that snake composed himself so quickly? He slunk in behind my children, keeping Sophia between us like a shield.

"There you are!" Sophia beamed. "We've been looking everywhere." Her eyes darted between me and Ava. "Everything okay?"

Lucas peered around his sister. "Dad? What's wrong? Your eyes are still gold."

I forced myself to breathe. My wolf pulled back reluctantly.

"Training discussion got heated," I lied, watching Jackson hover near the door, unable to meet my gaze.

Sophia nudged Lucas. "Tell Dad what the kitchen said."

Lucas bounced on his toes, momentarily distracted. "Chef says dinner's gonna be super late 'cause they messed up the moonlight herbs!" His disappointment quickly shifted to hope. "But maybe we could go somewhere instead? All of us?"

The naked longing in his voice made my chest ache. When was the last time I'd taken my son anywhere that wasn't pack business?

"Moonlight Lodge," I decided. "Tell Wilson to call ahead for the private dining room."

Lucas whooped and sprinted toward the door.

Sophia smiled, genuine surprise in her eyes. "That's... really nice, Dad."

I noticed Ava quietly gathering her things, clearly planning to slip away.

"Rivers." My voice came out harder than intended.

She paused, eyebrow raised in challenge.

"Join us." Not a request.

"That's not necessary, Alpha King." Her voice dripped formality, emphasizing the title. "Sarah's waiting for me."

"Lucas would be disappointed," I countered, ignoring the real reason I wanted her there. "And we have unfinished business."

A flicker of something crossed her face—wariness, curiosity, maybe a hint of that attraction she tried so hard to hide. She glanced at Lucas's hopeful expression and sighed.

"Fine. But I need to get home at a decent hour."

"I'll have Tyler drive you after." I let my gaze shift pointedly to Jackson. "We'll drop Sophia and Jackson at their house first."

Jackson paled even further, if that was possible. Message received.

As we filed out, I placed myself deliberately between Ava and Jackson. My wolf paced restlessly, staking its claim on territory that wasn't mine to mark. The rational part of me knew this possessiveness was dangerous—Ava Rivers wasn't mine to protect. She wasn't mine at all.

My wolf disagreed.