Marked Twice by the Alpha King Chapter 89

**Ava's POV**

"Only that we didn't do this weeks ago," I confessed, surprising myself with my honesty.

"We've got all night to make up for lost time," he promised, eyes darkening as I felt him hardening inside me again.

I woke to something warm and hard in my palm.

My brain struggled through fog as awareness trickled in – the weight of an arm across my waist, skin pressing against skin, and my fingers wrapped around... oh my.

My eyes flew open, instantly awake. Through hazy morning light, I realized my hand was intimately gripping Blake's morning erection. We lay tangled together, my naked body pressed against his, our legs intertwined beneath silky sheets. And instead of letting go, I was frozen, terrified any movement would wake him.

Heat rushed to my face as memories from last night flooded back – his mouth on mine, hands exploring every inch of me, the delicious weight of him above me. My body instantly responded to the memory, a liquid warmth pooling low in my belly.

His scent was everywhere – that distinctive combination of pine needles and rain that screamed Alpha. It wrapped around me like a physical thing, making my wolf stir restlessly beneath my skin. 

I tried to gently release him, but discovered his larger hand was cupped over mine, as if even in sleep he was preventing my escape. The pulse in my throat quickened as I realized my predicament – trapped between wanting to pull away and the treacherous part of me that wanted to stay just like this a little longer.

Stranger still, the mark on my neck – Jackson's mark – wasn't stinging the way it usually did around Blake. Instead, it radiated a pleasant warmth that pulsed in rhythm with my heartbeat.

I shifted slightly, trying to create space between us, but the movement just caused our bodies to slide together. A shiver ran through me at the contact.

Blake's eyelashes fluttered, then slowly lifted, revealing storm-gray eyes that locked directly on mine. No confusion, no surprise – just instant awareness and a lazy smile that sent my heart racing. He made no move to change our position. If anything, his body seemed to press closer.

"This is the best wake-up service I've ever experienced," he murmured, voice rough with sleep.

His hand tightened over mine, guiding a slow stroke that made my breath catch. His other hand came up to cup my cheek, thumb brushing across my lower lip. 

"You have no idea how badly I've wanted you," he whispered against my ear. "Since the first day you walked into my office."

His lips grazed my earlobe, sending electric currents racing down my spine. I couldn't stop the small gasp that escaped me or the way my body instinctively arched toward him, seeking more contact. 

His mouth traveled from my ear to my neck, then down to my collarbone, each kiss igniting another flame under my skin.

Suddenly, reality crashed through the haze of desire. What was I doing? I jerked my hand away and pulled back, hastily grabbing the sheets to cover myself.

My brain fired warning shots: He was the Alpha King of Silverpeak. I was just a Shadow Creek warrior. He was Lucas's father – my student! His daughter was engaged to my ex-fated mate. This would complicate everything.

Blake watched the panic flash across my face, something knowing in his expression.

"I can practically hear your thoughts racing a million miles away," he said.

He sat up, not bothering to cover himself. Morning light played across the defined muscles of his chest and abdomen. The sheet rode low on his hips, but he made no move to force anything, just waited.

When I tried to sit up, my body protested with unexpected soreness. Glancing down, I discovered a trail of small love bites scattered across my chest and stomach. My inner thighs ached in a way that made heat rush to my face all over again.

Blake noticed my wince, his hand coming to rest gently on my back.

"Are you okay? I might have gotten carried away last night," he said, concern replacing the desire in his eyes.

"I'm fine," I shook my head quickly. "I was... pretty into it too."

The admission hung between us, instantly recharging the atmosphere. Blake's eyes darkened as he leaned closer, one hand coming up to caress my neck while the other settled on my waist. I could feel his breath against my lips.

"Last night might have been a mistake," I whispered, the words slipping out almost involuntarily.

Blake froze, pulling back slightly. "Is that what you really think?" 

I struggled to my feet, wrapping the sheet around me like armor as I moved toward the mirror. The reflection that greeted me was a stranger – wild hair, kiss-marked skin, and confused eyes that couldn't hide what had happened between us.

"This is too complicated, Blake. My life is already a mess—" I stopped mid-sentence, noticing something strange about my reflection. 

The mark on my neck was changing.

I stepped closer to the mirror, eyes widening as I took in the transformation. What had once been Jackson's silver mark was now almost completely gold, with just traces of silver around the edges.

Blake appeared behind me, his bare chest nearly touching my back through the thin sheet.

"What is this?" I asked, shock evident in my voice.

"Mark transformation," he said quietly. "When a marked wolf meets their true soul mate, the original mark can be overridden. Gold is an Alpha's imprint."

His hand slid from my mark to my shoulder, turning me to face him. Our eyes locked, the air between us thick with unspoken tension.

"Whatever you may think, last night wasn't a mistake for me," he said, his voice deep and certain.

I took a deep breath, forcing myself to think logically despite every instinct urging me toward him.

"No matter how the mark changes, reality hasn't," I said firmly. "I need to save my father. You have a pack to run, Lucas to raise, Sophia's getting married soon..."

I swallowed hard. "We can't do this. Not right now, at least."

Blake studied me for a long moment, though something flickered briefly in his eyes. Then he nodded once, accepting my decision without argument.

He turned toward his closet, retrieving a neatly folded set of female warrior training clothes that looked suspiciously like they'd been prepared specifically for me.

"Wear these," he offered. "Your clothes from last night are... no longer serviceable."

Our fingers brushed as I took the clothes, both of us pausing at the contact.

"Thank you," I managed.

Blake nodded, pulling on pants before grabbing a shirt.

"I'll go check on Lucas. Wilson has been instructed not to speak about this. Don't worry." 

When the door closed behind him, I turned back to the mirror, fingers touching the golden mark that had replaced Jackson's silver brand. I could still sense Blake's presence, the connection stronger than before.

Last night wasn't just a physical joining – it was the beginning of something ancient and powerful that had changed everything.