Marked Twice by the Alpha King Chapter 77

**Ava's POV**

For the next hour, we lost ourselves in the brutal beauty of combat. Northern wolves showcased impressive ice-based techniques, while western pack fighters dazzled with speed and agility. I got swept up in the pure artistry of it all, temporarily forgetting everything else.

When the final match ended and crowds started thinning, we stood to leave. The Shadow Creek wolves had vanished, probably terrified of offending Sophia again.

Outside, stars speckled the night sky. Tyler waited by the carriage, the two Gamma guards maintaining their practiced distance.

Sophia glanced their way and sighed. "Can you guys give us one hour alone during dinner?" she asked the guards.

"We have orders to protect you—" one began, tone polite but firm.

"I know the orders," she cut him off impatiently. "But surely we can have one quiet meal without surveillance? Please... I just need some privacy."

"Where should we be?" the other guard asked, clearly reluctantly bending.

"Nearby, with Tyler," she suggested. "Close enough to reach us if anything happens."

The guards exchanged looks, finally nodding. "Fine, but we'll intervene immediately if anything seems off."

Sophia flashed a sweet smile, then turned to me. I got the feeling this wasn't her first time negotiating for breathing room.

We entered a quiet hunting lodge restaurant, away from the arena's chaos. The place mixed decorations from various packs, with portraits of legendary hunters and trophies lining the walls. A server immediately recognized Sophia, bowing respectfully as he led us to a secluded corner.

After ordering—Sophia chose some dainty vegetarian dish while I went for a serious meat platter—we fell into brief silence. Sophia sipped her moonwine, seemingly gathering courage.

She took a deep breath, her expression turning serious. "Ava, I need to ask you something, and I hope you'll be honest."

"What is it?" I asked cautiously.

"Is there something happening between you and Jackson?" she blurted out.

I blinked, confused. "What?"

"Are you sleeping with him?" The words rushed out like she couldn't hold them back.

I nearly choked on my water, barely stopping myself from jumping to my feet. I stared at her, completely blindsided.

Why would she think...? Had I done something to give her that impression? When I didn't immediately answer, Sophia winced.

"I'm sorry, but I need to know if you're sleeping with my fiancé, Ava."

"Absolutely not," I hissed, keeping my voice low but firm. "Why would you think that?"

She bit her lip nervously. "Because you both act weird around each other. You get all tense, and Jackson... he can't seem to stop watching you."

Heat rushed to my face. She was more observant than I'd given her credit for.

"I'm not sleeping with him," I promised. "I knew him from Shadow Creek before your engagement, but that's it. I would never hook up with someone in a relationship—especially not with you."

She held my gaze, eyes searching mine like she was trying to read my soul. The silence stretched between us.

"I believe you," she finally said, her shoulders dropping an inch. "It's just—every time you two are in the same room, it's like watching a storm about to break."

"Bad blood," I said, trying to sound casual. "Shadow Creek isn't exactly big on forgive-and-forget."

Our food arrived, giving me a moment to collect myself. I'd never felt more conflicted. Lying to her made me sick, especially after she'd stuck her neck out for me, but the truth would shatter her.

"Can I confess something ridiculous?" she asked, pushing food around her plate.

"Sure," I nodded.

"Sometimes I wish I was just normal. Not an Alpha's daughter. Not engaged to someone everyone has an opinion about." She stabbed a piece of food. "Just... free."

I understood that feeling all too well.

When we finished eating, Sophia smiled conspiratorially. "Want to take the long way back?"

"Tyler will lose his mind," I warned.

"Good," she replied with a grin that transformed her face. "He's been glued to my shadow since I was fourteen."

Part of me knew this was a terrible idea. But the way her eyes lit up, like a kid planning a jailbreak—it was hard to refuse.

"Fine, but when your dad murders me, I'm haunting you forever."

We paid and slipped out through the kitchen, dodging a confused cook and emerging into a narrow back alley. Sophia's laughter echoed off the brick walls as we jogged away from the restaurant, both feeling stupidly rebellious.

"I haven't done this since I was sixteen," she admitted breathlessly as we turned onto a wider street. "Tyler caught me trying to sneak into a pack dance. Dad grounded me for a month."

"Seriously? A month for a dance?"

"Blake Morgan doesn't do half-measures," she rolled her eyes. "Besides, there were boys there."

I couldn't help laughing. The mental image of Blake patrolling his daughter's social life was both amusing and strangely endearing.

We wandered through quiet streets, Sophia pointing out shops she liked. For a few precious minutes, we weren't Alpha's daughter and traitor's kid—just two women enjoying the night air.

"We should head back," I finally said, noticing how far we'd gotten from the main street. "Before Tyler calls in the cavalry."

Sophia nodded reluctantly. "Thanks for this. For not treating me like I'm made of glass."

Just as we turned to head back, I caught an unfamiliar scent on the wind—wolves, but with something off about them. My combat instincts flared.

"Let's move," I said sharply, grabbing Sophia's arm.

"What's wrong?" Her smile vanished instantly.

"Not sure. Just—"

A group of massive wolves burst from the shadows of a nearby alley, moving with unnatural speed. More appeared from behind us, cutting off our escape. All wore tribal masks that concealed their identities.

I shoved Sophia behind me, dropping into fighting stance. "Run if you see an opening," I whispered.

One lunged at me—fast, but predictable. I dodged and landed a solid kick to his ribs, feeling bone crack. Another grabbed for Sophia. I spun, catching him with an elbow to the throat that sent him staggering.

"Ava!" Sophia screamed as a third attacker grabbed her from behind.

I pivoted to help her, but something sharp pierced my shoulder. Burning heat spread through my veins—moon venom, the paralyzing toxin from silver spiders. My limbs turned heavy instantly, muscles refusing to obey commands.

Through blurring vision, I saw them holding Sophia down, pressing something against her neck. Her struggles weakened, then stopped entirely.

"Let her go," I tried to say, but my tongue felt enormous, my words slurring together.

Rough hands grabbed me, lifting me like I weighed nothing. My head rolled back, the night sky spinning above me. Stars blurred into streaks of light as darkness crept in from the edges of my vision.

The last thing I saw was Sophia's limp body being carried away.

Then nothing but black.