Marked Twice by the Alpha King Chapter 94

**Ava's POV**

I stepped down from the fitting platform and smacked right into someone. Sophia was still fussing with her dress hem when we both looked up.

"Watch where you're going, traitor's brat," a voice like winter frost cut through the shop.

I found myself face-to-face with Amber Collins—Blake's late wife's sister—looking at me like I was something stuck to her shoe. Her perfect makeup couldn't hide the absolute loathing in her eyes.

We'd crossed paths before at Blackwood, when she'd glared daggers at me while Blake and I discussed Lucas's training. But today? The gloves were off.

"Hey, Ms. Collins," I said, my body automatically shifting into fight-ready mode. Give me fangs and claws any day—dealing with rich wolf ladies with territory issues was way worse.

Her eyes crawled over my silver dress, taking in how it hugged my warrior frame while still looking feminine. Her lip curled up like she'd tasted something sour.

"That dress is wasted on you," she purred with venom beneath the sweetness. She snapped her fingers at the shopkeeper like summoning a dog. "I'll take it."

The shopkeeper hustled over, her customer-service smile straining at the corners while her eyes bounced between us like she was watching a tennis match.

"How can I help, Ms. Collins?" she asked, voice tight.

"This dress." Amber jabbed a manicured finger toward me. "Find something more... *fitting* for our Shadow Creek visitor." She spat my pack's name like it tasted bad.

Sophia went rigid beside me. I could practically feel her hackles rising.

The shopkeeper tugged at her collar. "I'm sorry, but this is our last piece, and Miss Rivers has already claimed it."

Amber's face hardened. "Do you know who I am?" She tossed her hair back. "I'm Amber Collins. Morgan family. I don't hear 'no' very often."

I planted my feet. "Well, hear it now. I'm wearing it. I'm buying it."

Her nostrils flared as she circled me. "Who do you think you are? Some nobody warrior from that joke of a pack, competing with *me*?" Her voice dropped to a stage whisper. "Your bloodline's so watered down you probably can't even shift properly anymore."

My stomach dropped. Blood purity insults—the nuclear option in wolf society.

"Can you even fully shift, Rivers? Or do you just sprout some pathetic half-fur like those mutts Shadow Creek's been letting in?" Her smile turned nasty. "Maybe daddy betrayed your pack because you aren't real wolves anymore."

My wolf clawed inside me, begging to rip her smug face off. I dug my nails into my palms, forcing myself to breathe. Starting shit in neutral territory would only prove her right.

"I don't need to prove my bloodline to you," I said, voice steady despite the rage bubbling underneath.

"Amber Collins!" Sophia's voice cracked like a whip, her father's authority flashing in her eyes. "Back off. Now."

Amber blinked like she'd just noticed Sophia, her face instantly rearranging into fake sweetness. "Oh, Sophia honey, just having a little chat with your... friend."

"Chat?" Sophia's voice went sub-zero. "You're questioning her blood purity in public. Even kids know that's crossing the line here."

Amber's mask slipped when she realized Sophia was actually defending me. Around us, customers were turning to watch the drama, some with curious eyes drinking in every detail.

"Don't you find it weird," Amber pressed, "how your father suddenly fixated on this traitor's daughter?" She looked me up and down. "Training Lucas, moving her into Blackwood, bringing her to the Moon Festival." She tilted her head. "Makes you wonder what she's *really* offering him."

Something snapped inside me. Insult me all day, but suggesting Blake's support was because of... that? My hands curled into fists.

"I train Lucas because I can kick ass better than most," I growled. "I live at Blackwood to do my job. And as for the Moon Festival—" I bit my tongue, realizing I'd nearly walked into her trap.

Her eyes lit up. "Oh? Has Blake asked you to be his companion? How... progressive. The Alpha King with trash from Shadow Creek."

"Get real." Sophia rolled her eyes. "Dad hasn't asked anyone."

"Then why the ceremonial dress?" Amber arched an eyebrow. "Going stag? Or perhaps someone else has plans for her?"

"Not your business, Aunt Amber." Sophia's voice was sweet poison.

Amber's face cycled through shock, anger, and calculation before settling on fake civility. "Just looking out for the family name, sweetie. We wouldn't want certain... elements at the Moon Festival."

"Nobody appointed you gatekeeper." Sophia's words could've frozen fire.

Amber looked between us, huffed dramatically, and flicked her wrist dismissively. "That dress is practically off-the-rack anyway. Beneath me."

She stalked off, heels stabbing the floor like she was trying to kill it.

I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding. Fighting actual monsters took less out of me than these society showdowns.

"God, what a nightmare," Sophia muttered, watching Amber leave. "She's been trying to claw her way into Dad's bed since Mom died."

"Thanks for the backup," I said, genuinely touched. "I didn't expect that."

"Please." Sophia bumped my shoulder with hers. "That's what friends do. Plus, watching her perfect Botox face crack? Priceless."

I laughed, feeling the tension leak away. "Pack politics follows you everywhere, huh? Can't even try on a dress in peace."

"Tell me about it." She nudged me toward the changing room. "Hurry up and change. We've got places to be, and Lucas is waiting for his ass-kicking later."

Back in the changing room, I peeled off the dress and pulled on my comfy training clothes. The dress was gorgeous, but damn, my worn-in gear felt like home. Fancy clothes or not, I was still me—Shadow Creek born and raised, no matter what Silverpeak snobs thought.

When we got to the counter, the shopkeeper had our things wrapped in tissue paper.

"Your total comes to..." She named a figure that made my eyes bug out.

Holy shit. That was almost half a year's salary for me. My hand instinctively patted my empty pocket.

Sophia caught my expression and squeezed my arm. "Tyler's covering it. Dad's orders."

"But—that's way too much," I whispered, feeling my face heat up.

"Oh stop." Sophia grinned. "The look on Amber's face was worth it. Besides," she added with a wink, "if you're hitting the Moon Festival, you need to bring your A-game."

I'd almost forgotten. "About that—" I started.

She put a finger to her lips and glanced meaningfully around. "Save it for lunch. Too many ears here."