Marked Twice by the Alpha King Chapter 74

**Ava's POV**

"But I need to change first," I glanced down at my sweat-soaked training gear. "Can't exactly go out looking like I wrestled a bear."

"Borrow mine!" Sophia's eyes suddenly lit up like someone had flipped a switch. "We're basically the same size. Come on!"

She tugged at my arm, dragging me through the hallway. The idea of parading around in the Alpha King's daughter's clothes felt weird as hell, but her face had that puppy-eager look that made saying no feel like kicking something small and fluffy.

I watched Sophia as she led the way, wondering how someone so genuinely sweet had ended up with Jackson. It didn't make sense. She deserved someone who actually cherished her, not a manipulative jerk using her for pack status. The worst part was she had no idea—she looked at him like he hung the moon, while he was plotting behind her back.

We rounded the corner and nearly slammed straight into Blake stepping out of his study. He froze mid-stride, his eyes darting between us before locking on Sophia's fingers wrapped around my wrist. His expression shifted to something completely unreadable.

Shit. His Alpha presence hit me like a physical wave, making my wolf instincts snap to attention. My pulse jumped, and the mark on my neck gave a sharp sting – what the hell was with these bizarre reactions? My mark always acted weird around him.

"Where are you two headed?" His voice dropped an octave lower than usual.

"Taking Ava to find something to wear," Sophia jumped in before I could open my mouth. "We're going out for a walk and some girl talk."

Blake's eyebrow arched up, his gaze sliding from his daughter to me. "Is that so?"

"Yes, Alpha King." I nodded, fighting to keep my voice steady but hearing it come out all strained anyway.

I hated this about myself. With Jackson, I could burn with righteous fury; in battle, I stayed ice-cold; but around Blake Morgan, I got this inexplicable nervous energy, like he could see through every wall I'd built.

Sophia tugged me forward, ready to continue our mission, but as we passed Blake, his hand landed lightly on my shoulder. Instant electricity zapped from the contact point, racing through my body like a current. My skin prickled with goosebumps. Moon Goddess, how embarrassing.

"She'll meet you upstairs," Blake told Sophia.

Sophia shot me a worried glance, then looked at her father. After a moment's hesitation, she nodded and released my arm, heading up the stairs.

I turned to Blake, his hand still resting on my shoulder. "Something on your mind, Alpha King?"

"I don't know what game you're playing," his voice dropped to nearly a growl, "but tread carefully with Sophia's situation."

The accusation stung like a slap. "I don't follow."

"Sophia's vulnerable right now," he stepped closer, almost crowding me. His Alpha aura pressed down like a weighted blanket, making it hard to breathe normally. "I know how things are progressing with Steven, that's your choice. But if this is about gaining Shadow Creek information by using my daughter, that won't fly."

How did he know about Steven? Had Steven actually told him everything, including our kiss? And he didn't care? That knowledge lodged like a stone in my chest.

"You already have my word about your father," he continued. "I won't go back on it. But if you hurt Sophia, for any reason, there will be consequences."

The accusation landed like a sucker punch. 

Was that what he thought of me? Some cold-blooded schemer who'd use his daughter as a pawn? I'd been busting my ass to save my father, train his son, and somehow keep my own sanity intact. Plotting wasn't exactly on my to-do list.

That was more Jackson's specialty anyway.

Something snapped inside me. I was done being the Shadow Creek charity case, the marked wolf everyone pitied or distrusted.

I yanked away from his touch, the loss of contact leaving my skin oddly cold. When I locked eyes with him, I let every ounce of pent-up frustration show.

"Contrary to what you believe, Alpha King," my voice came out steady despite the weight of his power pressing against me, "I can actually be friends with someone without an ulterior motive. If the idea of me spending time with Sophia is so offensive, take it up with her. This was her idea, not mine."

Something flashed across Blake's face—surprise? Respect? Irritation? I couldn't tell.

Suddenly his expression softened just a fraction. "One more thing," he added, his tone different now, almost... concerned? "Next time you go out with Steven, avoid the days around the full moon."

I blinked, processing his words. So he definitely knew about me and Steven, and he was totally fine with it. Fine enough to give dating advice. The confirmation shouldn't have hurt, but it did—a sharp little pain right below my ribcage. 

"I'll keep that in mind," I managed to say, my voice carefully neutral.

I didn't hang around to hear more. I spun on my heel and marched up the stairs, spine rigid, shoulders squared. His stare tracked me the entire way, hot enough to leave scorch marks on my back.

What was churning in that impossible-to-read head of his? Had I convinced him? Did he see me as anything beyond a liability to manage?

At the top landing, I paused to steady my breathing. Blake Morgan's opinion shouldn't matter. This outing with Sophia was harmless—just two women talking. His suspicions were completely off-base.

Yet his warning about Steven and the full moon nagged at me. Not because I was concerned about the advice itself, but because it confirmed what Steven had said—Blake truly didn't care who I spent time with. He'd accepted whatever was happening between Steven and me without batting an eye.

Why did that bother me so much?

Poor Sophia though. Here she was, about to marry Jackson Hayes—the wolf who'd marked me then tossed me aside without a second thought. Blake probably knew what kind of man Jackson really was—he was the Alpha King after all, not much escaped his notice. But what could he do? Force his daughter to break off an engagement she believed in? Tell her the man she loved was using her? That would shatter her.

In a twisted way, maybe that's why he was so protective of her now. He couldn't save her from Jackson without breaking her heart, so he was determined to shield her from any other potential pain. Even if that meant seeing threats where none existed—like in me.

I shook off the thoughts. Tonight wasn't about Jackson or Blake or even Steven. It was about Sophia, who clearly needed someone to talk to. I couldn't fix her engagement to a jerk, but I could at least be there to listen.

So why was I still hung up on the fact that Blake seemed totally unbothered by whatever was happening between Steven and me?