Marked Twice by the Alpha King Chapter 86

**Blake's POV**

I stopped there. Those ancient stories sounded crazy—destined mates somehow creating new connections across existing marks. Just stories, right?

"Just hang on," I changed the subject, spotting Tyler waiting at the edge of the clearing with my mount. "Once we're back at Blackwood, we'll get you cooled down. That'll help with the symptoms."

Her fingers tightened on my shoulder as she looked up, meeting my eyes. In the moonlight, something unreadable flashed in those green depths. "Thank you," she said quietly. "For finding me."

That simple gratitude hit deeper than she knew. Our relationship had always been complicated—teacher to my son, bound by Blood Oath, someone under my protection. But right now, in this moonlight, none of that seemed to matter. Just her, trusting me to keep her safe.

Tyler stood by the waiting horses, expression carefully neutral. When he saw Ava in my arms, his nose caught the Moon Heat, eyes widening slightly before his training kicked in.

"Everything's prepared, Alpha King," he reported simply, helping arrange a blanket across the saddle. "The path is clear of unmated wolves."

"Good," I nodded, placing Ava gently on my mount before swinging up behind her. She immediately leaned back against my chest, instinctively seeking my Alpha presence.

Tyler mounted his own horse and looked back at me. "To the healing chambers?" he asked, meeting my eyes.

"No," I said firmly. "Straight to Blackwood."

Tyler hesitated, clearly noting my naked state and Ava's obvious symptoms. "You sure?"

I answered with a growl, needing no explanation. Tyler had known me long enough to recognize when questions ended.

We rode swiftly through the forest, moonlight filtering through branches as we traveled. Ava dozed against me, occasionally making soft sounds, body unconsciously seeking contact. I focused on breathing, on plans—get her home, cool her down, wait out the drug.

But when her head rested against my chest, when her breath skimmed my skin, when her hand clutched my arm in sleep, I knew this would test me like nothing before.

Blackwood Manor appeared ahead, torches blazing along the walls as if waiting for her return. I looked down at her, a thought hitting me with startling clarity—whatever it took, I would protect her, mark her, make her mine.

This realization filled me with both fear and hunger.

I carried Ava into my chambers, laying her on my bed like she might break. Moonlight poured through the windows, lighting up her curves against my dark sheets. Her torn clothes barely covered her, skin glowing almost silver in the light.

"Hot... so hot..." she mumbled, hand drifting across her face, down her neck, over her chest, like she was trying to brush away flames.

My throat went dry as I stood beside the bed, completely naked and obviously affected. That mark on her neck pulsed with strange gold light, calling to something deep inside me. Whenever I got close to it, my wolf settled—restless and hungry, but somehow... right.

"Ava," I said, barely recognizing my own rough voice, "I need to cool you down."

Her eyes fluttered open, fog lifting briefly as she fought through the drug. "Blake..." Her fingers reached for my arm, that small touch sending lightning through me.

"Yeah, it's me," I managed, though every muscle screamed for more contact. "I won't hurt you."

"Know that," she whispered, vulnerability flashing in her eyes before the drug clouded them again. Her fingers trailed up my arm, tracing my shoulder, raising goosebumps. "Never have."

I lifted her carefully, feeling her scorching skin and breathing in her scent. My hands moved on their own across her back, tracing muscle beneath soft skin. Even now, she was beautiful—all warrior grace wrapped in feminine curves.

I headed for the bathing chamber, painfully aware of her breasts pressed against my chest, her hardened nipples obvious through thin fabric. She buried her face against my neck, lips accidentally brushing my skin, sending shockwaves through me.

"Blake..." she breathed against my ear, voice honey-sweet, "I want you... ."

The bathing chamber's stone floor felt ice-cold against my feet, a stark contrast to our burning bodies. I sat her on the wide marble basin, her legs parting instinctively to make room for me. Her pants clung to her, soaked with sweat. I couldn't hide my obvious arousal, standing naked between her thighs.

I turned to open the water spout, cold water rushing into the large stone bath. Just as I moved to face her again, her hands slid down my back, tracing each muscle line.

"So strong," she murmured, her breath warm against my skin. I turned to find her eyes clearer, though desire still darkened them.

"It's the drug talking," I reminded myself uselessly, body already well past the point of no return.

"Not just that," her fingers traced my chest, eyes meeting mine directly. "Wanted this... wanted you... for weeks."

Self-control snapped. I kissed her, tasting wild berries and moonlight on her tongue. A satisfied moan vibrated from her throat, hardening me further.

Her legs wrapped around my waist, pulling me flush against her. Nothing between us but her tattered clothes. My hand slipped under her shirt, finding silk-smooth skin. When my fingers brushed her nipple, she arched, head falling back to expose her throat and that changing mark.

My lips traced from jaw to neck, tasting salt and woman. When I reached her mark, something electric shot between us. She moaned, nails digging into my back.

"Blake... need you..." Her hand boldly found me, wrapped around my hardness. The touch nearly buckled my knees, breath catching.

I tore away what remained of her shirt, revealing perfect breasts tipped with dusky pink. Moonlight painted her skin silver. I took one peak into my mouth, teasing with my tongue, feeling her shake and gasp.

"Look at me," I commanded, Alpha authority deepening my voice. Her eyes instantly found mine—desire burning bright, but clarity there too. This wasn't just the drug. She knew exactly who was touching her.

My hand slid down her flat stomach to her waistband, eyes locked with hers, silently asking. Her slight nod and lifted hips were all the permission I needed.

My fingers slipped inside, finding her wet and ready. The knowledge nearly broke me. As I found that sensitive spot, she sighed, her grip on me tightening.

Our breaths mingled, heat building around us like a coming storm. I tugged her pants down, desperate to claim her completely. She helped eagerly, legs parting wider.

"Like that," she whispered, head falling back to expose her neck. The mark flashed gold in the darkness. "Blake... mark me... now..."

My last thread of control dangled. My mouth returned to her mark, teeth grazing the spot, making her whole body tremble. My fingers worked inside her, feeling her clench around them. Her nails raked my back, our need reaching fever pitch.

Then the bath overflowed. Cold water splashed our tangled bodies, making her yelp in surprise and press closer for warmth. The shock cleared our heads slightly, but did little to cool the fire between us.

Her eyes, clearer now but still dark with wanting, looked straight into my soul.

"Don't stop..."