Marked Twice by the Alpha King

Ava's POV

Lucas's lips quirked into that smug little half-smile kids get when they're about to drop a bomb on you.

“Final test time,” he announced, eyes glinting with mischief. “Let's see if you really have what Dad calls 'wolf's spirit."

Before I could ask what the hell that meant, he stuck two fingers in his mouth and let out a whistle sharp enough to pierce eardrums.

The growl that answered from the forest edge raised every hair on my body.

A black blur burst from the treeline-all muscle, fur, and teeth. The beast skidded to a halt between Lucas and me, golden eyes fixed on me like I was dinner. This wasn't just some overgrown puppy-this thing looked ready to tear out my throat if I breathed wrong.

My mark tingled as I sized up the wolf-dog. I didn't back up. Didn't flinch. Somehow I knew this test wasn't about fighting-it was about connection.

I touched my neck where the mark hummed warm against my fingertips, then slowly crouched lower.

Im not a threat. I'm a friend. The words repeated in my head like a mantra.

"Hey there, big guy," murmured, palm up and fingers relaxed. "Not here to hurt your boy. Promise."

The wolf-dog's ears flicked forward, nostrils flaring as he caught my scent. Wilson gasped somewhere behind me as the creature inched closer, his massive head level with my chest.

One wrong move and I'd be sporting a new set of scars-if I was lucky.

The beast sniffed my fingertips, his breath hot against my skin. Then his rough tongue swept across my hand, and just like that, the tension snapped.

"Well, damn," I whispered as the wolf-dog flopped onto his side, practically begging for belly rubs.

"What the Lucas's jaw dropped. "Hunter hates strangers! The last instructor needed stitches!"

I scratched behind Hunter's ears, his leg thumping against the dirt in pure bliss. "Wolves and I just... get each other."

"For real?" Lucas crept closer, eyes wide.noveldrama

"Back in Shadow Creek, I used to sneak out to the boundary forests." I smiled, remembering. "Found a wild pack there. Ran with them some nights when the moon was high."

"You ran with actual wolves?" Lucas dropped onto his knees beside me, voice hushed with awe. "And they didn't attack you?"

"Nope. I watched Hunter roll onto his back, exposing his vulnerable belly. "My dad-William-freaked when he found out. But they never hurt me. Guess they knew I wasn't a threat."

Something flickered across Lucas's face-longing, maybe envy. "Could you teach me how?"

'Sure. Someday."

Lucas's small hand stroked Hunter's massive head. "Dad's always buried in Alpha stuff," he muttered, voice suddenly small. Sometimes I don't see him for days."

The raw loneliness in those words hit me like a sucker punch. Not a spoiled brat- just a kid starving for attention.

'My dad was pretty important too, but he always carved out time for me," I said, throat tightening. "Even on his craziest days, we'd train together for at least an hour."

Lucas looked up, eyes shimmering with unshed tears. "You really love your father, don't you?"

I nodded, my throat so tight it hurt to swallow. "Yeah. He taught me everything I know... and now he's in trouble, and I have to help him."

"Dad says he'll teach me when I'm older," Lucas said, fingers tangling in Hunter's fur. "But I need to be stronger now."

Wilson's shoes crunched on gravel as he approached. "Perhaps Hunter should return inside before training begins, young master."

When he reached for Hunter's collar, the wolf-dog's head snapped up, teeth

bared in a snarl that would make grown wolves piss themselves.

Lucas jumped between them, shoulders tense. "Hunter stays."

Wilson's lips pinched. "Your father's orders were quite clear-

"Actually,” I cut in, catching the weird tension, “having Hunter here helps. Warriors need to learn focus with distractions."

Wilson's stare could've freeze-dried coffee, but he backed off.

"Thanks, Lucas whispered once Wilson was out of earshot. 'He never lets Hunter train with me. Says it's 'unsafe.""

"So, Lucas studied me, suddenly all business again. "You get wolves. You any good with humans?"

I snorted. "Topped every combat class at Warrior Academy. But the real skill is adapting to your opponent."

"Can you teach me to fight bigger enemies?" There was something urgent in his voice, something beyond normal kid stuff.

"First lesson: real strength isn't about size-it's about brains and technique."

Lucas's face lit up. "Like how a little wolf survives before getting its fangs?" 'Exactly. Want me to show you?"

His eyes gleamed. "Let's play Wolf Cub Escape! Dad taught me this game. You're the hunter, I'm the wolf cub trying to get away."

"That's usually for older warriors," I said, recognizing the Silverpeak training exercise.

"I can handle it," he insisted, chin jutting out. "Give me ten minutes?"

Looking at this kid trying so hard to be grown, something tugged in my chest. "Fine. But I won't go easy. Real enemies never do."

Relief washed over his face. "Good. Everyone treats me like I'll break."

We started training, and despite his impressive skills for a kid his age, I had him pinned within minutes.

'Dammit, he muttered into the dirt. "I'll never be strong enough..."

"Hey," I said, easing my grip. "You're special, Lucas. You've got wolf potential-just need the right guide."

Hope flickered in his eyes. "You think I could ever be as strong as Dad?"

I helped him up, meeting that too-serious gaze. "I think you'll find your own kind

of strength. And yeah, I'll help you get there."

For the first time, Lucas smiled-a real kid smile, not that practiced prince crap. 'Guess you passed all my tests, then."

Something warm bloomed in my chest that had nothing to do with my mission. Maybe I actually liked this kid.

As Lucas practiced a move I'd just taught him, heat surged through my mark like someone had pressed a hot coal against my skin. A wave of pure power rolled across the training ground, nearly knocking me sideways.

Lucas's head snapped up, face splitting into a grin. "Dad!"

My stomach dropped as I turned slowly, every nerve ending suddenly awake.

Blake stood at the edge of the training ground, power radiating off him in waves. His eyes locked onto mine, unreadable but intense.

Lucas bolted toward him. "Dad! Hunter likes her! And she showed me this awesome move!"

Blake ruffled his son's hair, gaze never leaving my face. "Miss Rivers, seems you

and my son are getting along well."