Marked Twice by the Alpha King

Ava's POV

"We need to talk about you and Jackson, Blake said, drumming his fingers on the table.

1 gulped some water, the ice clinking against my teeth. Blake's Alpha presence made the booth feel like a shoebox.

"Dead topic," I shrugged, trying to sound casual while my neck tingled. Seeing that loyalty ring on Sophia's finger pretty much killed any lingering feelings."

Weird thing was, it hurt way less than it should have. My mark hummed warm instead of stabbing me with its usual ice pick pain.

'Look, can we skip the ex talk?" I leaned forward. "You said Hayes's story had holes?"

Blake checked for eavesdroppers before answering. "Hayes wasn't at that council meeting during the border clash. Three witnesses put him elsewhere."

Hope bubbled up so fast I nearly choked on it. "So Dad-

"I can delay the execution," Blake cut in. "Full moons come every month. One postponement buys us time to dig deeper."

My lungs forgot how breathing worked. "For real?"

Blake's face stayed neutral, but his eyes softened like storm clouds parting. 'Someone set your father up. I smell it."

I bit my lip to keep from grabbing his hand. “Thanks. Just... thanks.”

The waitress swooped in with our food, practically purring at Blake while silently murdering me with her eyes. She slid the venison in front of me and poured Blake's wine with practiced precision.

After she left, Blake switched gears. "Ground rules for your new job."

"Don't worry," I said quickly, stabbing a piece of meat. "I'll be the picture of professionalism. No funny business."

Blake cocked an eyebrow, something dangerous lurking behind his gaze. "And me?"

His voice dropped so low it rumbled, sending heat straight to places it had no business going. My mark pulsed under my collar.

"Same deal for you, Alpha King," I managed, voice steadier than my pulse.

Blake's mouth quirked up at one corner. "We'll see how long that lasts."

My wolf practically melted at the challenge in his voice. Thank god for sturdy chairs.

He pulled out a scroll with Silverpeak's wolf seal and slid it across the table. "Blood Oath contract. Read before signing."

I skimmed the fancy silver writing, eyebrows climbing. "This looks more like a magical gag order than employment paperwork."

"It is," Blake nodded. 'Break Blackwood Manor confidentiality, face wolf consequences."

"Harsh terms for a teaching gig."

"It protects pack secrets," Blake said. "And Lucas."

I weighed my options. Dad's life versus keeping secrets? No contest.noveldrama

"Where do I sign?" I asked, pushing the parchment back.

Over dinner, Blake opened up about Lucas. He started shifting at seven. Way too early."

"That's why you're riding him so hard? Afraid he'll wolf out?"

Blake's jaw tightened. "His wolf is too strong for someone so young. Without control-

He could hurt himself or someone else, I finished, pieces clicking. 'Dad told me early shifters are walking time bombs without proper training.

03

"Your father taught you well, even with your challenges, Blake said.

I smiled despite myself. Dyslexia meant learning differently, not giving up. Dad wouldn't let me use it as an excuse. Made me recite combat moves till my muscles remembered what my brain struggled with."

Something shifted in Blake's expression. Not pity-respect. Our conversation loosened up from there, with Blake actually asking about my teaching methods and seeming interested in my answers.

When I excused myself to pee, I felt his eyes tracking me across the room.

The hallway was blissfully quiet until someone slammed into my shoulder hard enough to spin me sideways.

"Oops, came a voice dripping with fake sweetness.

I turned to face a woman with golden brown hair and ice-blue eyes. Everything from her designer dress to her posture screamed money and status. The silver medical emblem around her neck caught the light.

Her scent hit me-fancy perfume barely masking medicinal herbs. My wolf bristled instantly.

"No worries," I said evenly, stepping around her.

Her eyes narrowed, zeroing in on my mark peeking above my collar. "Interesting," she murmured before strutting away.

When I returned, Blake was standing, looking tense. The woman from the hallway faced him, practically vibrating with anger.

"This is why you're ghosting me?' she demanded loudly. "Because you're screwing around with some nobody?"

Blake's voice stayed level but carried a warning. "Amber. Public place."

"Answer me, she pressed, hurt leaking through her anger. 'Is she special?'

Blake spotted me then. He moved to my side, his hand settling on my shoulder. My mark flooded with warmth instead of pain.

"What if she is?" he asked quietly.

Amber's laugh could've frozen hell. "You'll regret this mistake. Her family's a joke."

'I don't remember asking for your opinion," Blake replied, voice hardening.

I stood tall beside him, refusing to shrink under her glare.

"Watch yourself with those marks, Blake,' Amber warned, eyeing my neck. "Some stains never come out. She stalked off, heels stabbing the floor.

Blake's hand dropped from my shoulder. His face went blank again, Alpha mask firmly in place

"Who was that?" I asked, rubbing my shoulder where she'd bumped me.

"Amber Collins. My late wife's sister. Runs our medical team."

'She seemed... territorial."

"My mother wants us to merge bloodlines, Blake said flatly. "Keep it in the family."

I noticed he didn't offer his own opinion. Just cold facts.

Back at our table, Blake pulled out the contract. "Blood Oath time," he said, producing a silver needle. "Still in?"

"For Dad and Lucas," I nodded.

The ritual was simple-we pricked our fingertips, letting blood drops fall onto the parchment. The crimson beads flashed silver before sinking into the document, binding our agreement.

Blake handed me a pouch that jingled with the sweet sound of money. "Tomorrow morning. Don't be late."

Outside, Tyler waited with a Silverpeak carriage. Blake bailed, claiming pack business.

08

As we rolled through the night, Tyler broke the silence. "Lucas actually likes you.

That's rarer than a vegetarian wolf."

"He's a good kid," I said. 'Just needs someone who gets him."

"His abilities scare people," Tyler nodded. "Seven-year-olds shouldn't be able to half-shift."

'What happened to his mom?" I asked.

"Died giving birth to him," Tyler's voice softened. "Poor kid spends hours staring at

her portrait. Never even knew her."

I thought about that lonely little boy desperate for his dad's approval.

When we reached my house, my mark flickered between warmth and pain. I thanked Tyler and headed inside, my mind buzzing with thoughts of Blood Oaths and Blake's unexpected help.

Voices drifted from the living room-Mom's sounding tense. A familiar scent hit me, sending my mark into instant fire-poker agony.

I froze in the doorway as my wolf snarled beneath my skin.

"What the hell are you doing in my house?" I demanded.

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