Marked Twice by the Alpha King

Ava's POV

Lucas bounced like he'd chugged ten energy drinks, yanking his dad's sleeve while his eyes lit up. "Dad! She has to stay! She's the only one who doesn't treat me like I'm five!" He shot me a quick grin before locking those pleading eyes on his father.

1 bit my lip to keep from smirking. The kid had game.

Blake's hard edges softened when he looked at his son, then sharpened again when his eyes cut to me. "My son usually sends instructors packing within days. Seems you've made quite the impression."

My neck tingled where Jackson's mark sat, warm instead of its usual burn. Not exactly roses and chocolates from the Alpha King, but I'd take it.

"Just doing my job," I said with a casual shrug, though my wolf preened like she'd been handed a steak.

Lucas's fingers dug into Blake's sleeve. "Dad? Just one word, but packed with all the worry a seven-year-old could muster.

Blake ruffled his son's hair. "Go with Wilson. I need to talk to Miss Rivers."

The boy's eyes darted between us like he was watching a tennis match. He nodded reluctantly and trudged after the stiff-backed manager, throwing one last "don't-mess-this-up" glance my way.

The moment we were alone, my wolf practically rolled over. Ridiculous. I'd faced down feral rogues without flinching, but one look from this guy and my inner wolf turned to mush.

My mark hummed warm against my skin-not the usual ice-pick-to-the-neck pain, but something almost... pleasant. I couldn't stop noticing the little things about him-the muscle that jumped in his jaw when he clenched his teeth, the way his shoulders filled out his shirt, hands that could probably snap trees in half.

Why this man? Why freaking now? The universe is laughing its ass off.

My wolf clawed to get closer while my brain screamed to run in the opposite direction. Focus, Ava. Dad. Prison. Execution. Not tall, dark and Alpha.

"You can keep the job, Blake said, crossing his arms. "Lucas needs someone who won't quit when he gets difficult."

Relief hit me like a cool breeze. "Thanks. That's- I stuck my hand out like an idiot before remembering who I was talking to.

Blake just stared at my offered hand. One dark eyebrow ticked up as his Alpha presence leaked into the space between us, subtle as a sledgehammer.

Way to look desperate, Ava.

I dropped my hand and shoved it in my pocket.

"Ground rules," he finally said, breaking the awkward silence.

"Let me guess-no fun allowed?"

His mouth twitched. Almost a smile? Nah.

Stay in the training grounds and common areas," he said. "The west wing and second floor are off-limits. Period."

A smart person would've nodded and shut up. Instead, I heard myself say, "Worried I'll sneak into your bedroom, Alpha King?"

Jesus Christ, what's wrong with me?

Heat flashed up my neck as Blake's eyes darkened to thundercloud gray.

"Careful,' he said softly. "You're an employee now. Not a guest."

The razor edge in his voice snapped me back to reality. I needed this job. Dad needed this job.

I forced my face into neutral territory. "You're right. Sorry. I'll stick to the training areas and wear the Silverpeak gear."

450 PM d

Blake watched me like he was trying to decide if I meant it. After what felt like forever, he nodded once.

"Let's go over the contract details."

He turned toward the house. I fell in step behind him, watching the subtle shift of muscle beneath his shirt.

The snap of twigs jerked my attention to a nearby hedge. Before I could blink, Lucas burst out like he'd been shot from a cannon, clutching something silver.

"Think fast!" he yelled.

He flung his arm forward. A cloud of glittering dust exploded toward me.

Blake moved so fast he blurred. One second I was about to get a faceful of whatever-that-was, the next he was standing in front of me. But he wasn't quick enough-the dust settled over both of us like metallic snow.

Blake snagged Lucas by the wrist. "What did you do?

The kid twisted free with a laugh that was pure trouble. "Gotta run! Homework calls!" He bolted around the corner.

The silver dust twinkled harmlessly on our clothes. Pretty, actually.

Blake's face darkened. "Lucas! Get back here!" But the kid was long gone.

He ran a hand through his hair and turned to me. "Sorry. He needs a firmer hand.” Something about his tone rubbed me wrong. "Or maybe he just wants five minutes of your time."noveldrama

His eyes snapped to mine. "You know nothing about my son or our situation."

"I know kids act out when they're invisible," I fired back. "Even Alpha princes." Blake's jaw clenched. "Don't lecture me on-"

He froze mid-sentence. Heat bloomed everywhere the dust had touched-a slow burn that started as warmth and cranked to scorching in seconds.

Blake's eyes widened. "Fuck. Moon shadow dust."

Suddenly my skin felt electric. The brush of fabric against my arms sent jolts down my spine. Every sensation amplified like someone had cranked all my senses to maximum.

Blake's scent hit me like a physical force-pine needles, thunderstorms, and raw male power. My mouth actually watered.

My wolf thrashed wildly, trying to claw her way out. Closer. Need closer.

Blake wasn't doing much better. His eyes flashed gold, pupils blown wide. "Training dust," he ground out, each word dragged through gravel. "Enhances senses. Hours."

The mark on my neck pulsed hot, golden threads lighting up beneath my skin. I slapped my hand over it before he could notice.

"We need to get this off." Blake swallowed hard, his throat working. "Before things get... messy."

He reached to brush dust from my shoulder. That simple touch sent lightning straight to my core. Don't lean in. Don't lean in.

I leaned in.

Heat pooled between my legs, an instant, visceral response to his Alpha scent. My underwear went damp in seconds. If his nose was half as enhanced as mine

right now, he'd smell exactly how much trouble I was in.

"My quarters," he rasped. 'I have herbs that can fix this."

As he led me toward the exact areas he'd just declared forbidden, I wondered which would kill me first-the moon dust or the way his back muscles shifted under his shirt as he walked.

DOB