Marked Twice by the Alpha King Chapter 99

**Ava's POV**

I shook my head, feeling bone-tired in a way I couldn't explain. "It's not Jackson. I just... can't right now. My life's a mess." What I kept to myself was that my heart wasn't mine to give anymore.

Steven caught how I avoided looking at him. "Cut the crap, Ava. I see it in your eyes. Did someone force you to come tonight? Is someone threatening you?"

"No," I said firmly. "But what I feel for you is friendship. I can't fake something more. I don't want to hurt you, Steven. You deserve better—someone who can love you completely."

Steven's expression cooled, disappointment morphing into suspicion. "You kissed me back at Moon Falls just days ago. What changed?"

The night wind suddenly gusted harder, blowing my hair around. My necklace shifted, exposing the mark on my neck.

Steven's eyes dropped to it, widening in shock as he saw golden threads weaving through Jackson's silver mark.

He grabbed my shoulders hard enough to bruise, his voice dropping to a dangerous growl. "What the hell is this? Another Alpha's mark covering Jackson's? That's impossible... unless..."

I tried to cover it, but too late. He'd seen the transformation, and as an Alpha heir, he knew exactly what it meant.

Steven's eyes shifted to wolf eyes, gold gleaming bright in the moonlight. "It's my uncle, isn't it? Blake. I saw you on the terrace. This is why you're turning me down? You chose the Alpha King?"

Fear gripped me like a vise. *He saw us? Saw that kiss? What happens now? If word gets out, Blake's reputation takes a hit, and I look like some power-hungry climber.*

"Steven, it's complicated... it's not what you think..." I tried to explain, knowing how empty my words sounded.

He lost it, his voice turning rough with emotion. "Complicated? You let me think we had something! While you were with my uncle... the Alpha King? Are you out of your mind?"

I yanked free of his grip, anger flaring at being manhandled. "I never promised you a damn thing. I'm sorry you're hurt, but this is my choice."

Steven's eyes reddened, rage and jealousy twisting his handsome face. "You used me to get close to him? Or was it to save your traitor father? Was that your plan all along? To sleep your way to the top?"

Something snapped inside me, fury burning away all reason. "Don't you dare talk about my father like that! He's not a traitor!"

Steven laughed coldly, revealing wolf fangs. "No wonder Jackson dumped you. Your hunger for power makes me sick. You're the last person who deserves to stand beside the Alpha King."

Rage took over. My warrior instincts kicked in, and I punched him square in the jaw—hard enough to make him stumble back. He clearly didn't see that coming.

Steven shifted halfway to wolf form in an instant, eyes fully gold, and slapped me across the face with enough force to draw blood. I tasted copper as pain exploded across my cheek.

Stunned, I touched my injured face, feeling warm blood trickling from the corner of my mouth. I watched Steven's expression change from anger to horror in a flash.

*My pride, my warrior dignity—trampled in the dirt. Nobody gets to treat me like this, not even a pack heir.*

Steven, seeing what he'd done, quickly shifted back to human form, fear flickering in his eyes. "Ava... I didn't mean to..." His hand shook as he reached toward me.

I took a fighting stance despite the dizzying pain, anger making my eyes flash gold. "Get out of here. Now." My voice could have frozen fire.

Steven tried to touch my wound, but I jerked back like his hand was made of silver.

"I just... I really care about you," he said, his voice cracking. "I can't believe you chose him... instead of me..."

"This isn't about choosing anyone," I said, ice-cold. "You had no right to hit me. Nobody does, I don't care who they are. Now go!"

Steven gave me one last look, regret and anger mixing in his eyes, before turning away. His outline looked lonely and bitter against the moonlight.

Only when he disappeared into the trees did I let myself feel the pain, gently touching my swollen cheek. Blood dripped from my mouth onto my silver dress, leaving dark red spots on the fabric.

*Is this what I get for trying to have it both ways? Just pain and loneliness? Maybe this is payback for being dumped by my fated mate—maybe I'm just not meant to find real love.*

**Third Person POV**

Blake was deep in border talks with the Northern Pack elders when a sharp pain stabbed through his chest, like someone had driven a knife straight into his heart.

He frowned, pressing his hand against his chest, drawing concerned looks from the elders who'd never seen the Alpha King show any weakness.

Tyler immediately moved closer. "You okay, Alpha King?" he asked quietly, just for Blake's ears.

"It's Ava," Blake replied, his voice tight like he was holding back a roar. "She's in trouble." He didn't explain how he knew, but the golden flash in his eyes showed he was near shifting.

The elders exchanged confused glances, but none dared question the Alpha King's instincts.

What Blake felt wasn't just pain—it was an overwhelming urge to protect, coming through the incomplete marking bond, telling him Ava was being hurt.

The feelings of distress and fear grew stronger through the marking connection. He could sense where Ava was, like an invisible thread connected them.

He gave the elders a quick apology: "Please excuse me. Something urgent needs my attention." His tone left no room for argument, and even the oldest elders knew when to back down.

A Northern Pack elder tried to delay him: "But we haven't finalized the border agreement, Alpha King. This affects peace between two packs."

Blake's eyes flashed wolf-gold, his Alpha presence expanding around him, making the air heavy. "I trust you can handle this." His voice was low and dangerous, suggesting anyone who pushed further would regret it.

Tyler followed him, whispering, "Need backup? Is Sophia okay?"

Blake shook his head, looking grim. "No. Watch Sophia. I need to handle this myself." He didn't mention Ava, but Tyler saw something in his Alpha's eyes he'd never seen before—worry that bordered on fear.

Blake strode toward Moonlight Lake, his Alpha aura making wolves scatter from his path, nobody daring to get in his way.

The marking connection grew stronger with each step. Ava's pain hit him as clearly as if the wound were his own.

His eyes fully transformed to wolf eyes, gold gleaming in the darkness. His Alpha presence spread without him even trying, making the ground tremble slightly with each step.

His thoughts were consumed with rage and protectiveness: *If someone hurt her, tonight's Moon Festival will see what happens when an Alpha King loses control. Nobody touches her. Nobody.*

Under the moonlight, Blake moved like a dark lightning bolt toward Moonlight Lake. Just one thought dominated his mind: Find Ava. Protect her. No matter what it costs.