Marked Twice by the Alpha King novel Chapter 132

Chapter 132

The cleaning room door clicked that behind us. I spin around to fare Sarah, my voler liarely above a whisper.

Seriously? You’re buying lackson’s offer? This terks of bullshiE”

Sarby shoulders slumped as she dropped onto a small stool in the corner. Dark circles shadowed her eyes, making her look ghostly under the birth Tuorescent lighting.

“What choice do I have, Ava?” She rubbed her temples. “William’s losing weight. The guards are… they’re tist kind to him.“

My stomach knotted. I’d tried not to picture Dad in that concrete box they called a cell, tried not to imagine what “not kind” might look like.

“But Jackson? Conit on.‘ I grabbed a towel and scrubbed at the wise stains on my neck. “The sime jackest who tossed me aside like yesterday’s garbage? Who just stood there while his grandmother humiliated me? And now he’s Mr. Helpful?”

“You think I don’t know that?” Sarah’s voice cracked. “You think I wouldst rather punch him in his perfect teeth thun

his help?”

That pulled me up short, Ed never heard her talk like that before.

“The Blood Protection Right is real, Ava” Her fingers twisted in her lap. “If you regain pack status as an instructor, you could invoke it. Even Hayes can’t ignore ancient law without losing fare.”

The wine had dried sticky on my skin. I ran the damp towel along my collarbone, mind racing. This was classic Jackson–dangling hope like bait in a trap.

“Going back means giving up everything at Blackwood,” I said quietly. “Lucas’s training, the stability…”

Bialy. I couldn’t say his name out loud, but he filled my thoughts. Our secret cabin. His laugh in the darkness. The way his eyes turned molten gold when he wanted me.

Sarah reached for my hand, her cool fingers squeezing mine. I know it’s not fair. None of this is. A tear slipped down her cheek. “But Will is running out of

a

My throat tightened. Sarah wasn’t just my foster mom anymore–she was a woman watching her husband waste away in prison for a crime he didn’t commit.

“What if it’s a trap?” I leaned against the sink. “Jackson doesn’t do favors. Ever.”

“Maybe he’s trying to look good to the pack” Sarah shrugged. “Magnanimous future Alpha forgives traitor’s daughter, Great PR.”

I noted. “You really think Mr. Self–Absorbed grew a conscience overnight?”

“Hell no.” For a second, Sarah’s old spark flashed in her eyes. “But if he wants to use us for his image, why not use him right back?”

I blinked, caught off guard by her calculating tone. Turns out my sweet foster mom had claws when hacked into a corner.

“Jackson wants an answer by tomorrow,” she added, her voice softening again. “He needs time to submit the application before the council meeting

“Of course he does.” I rolled my eyes. “Heaven forbid I get five minutes to think.”

Sarah stood, smoothing her rumpled dress. “Ava, fil back whatever you decide. Just… please think about it. William needs us.

I nodded, the weight of the decision pressing down like a mountain on my shoulders.

“One more thing.” Sarah paused at the door. “What’s Blake Morgan really

ally like? I saw how he stepped in for you.”

My pulse skittered. I busied myself with wiping w

wine from my dress. “Just professional stuff. I barely see him. I’m with Lucas most of the time.”

1/2

my say his femper’s legendary (80) Surch lowered her wire. Last pick meeting. ht publicly destroyed inme peo

* my mind. I saw Blake’s controlled rage after my húmiliation—not the mark of a hothead, hot of someone protective to hit comes

“Probaki gönip, 1 shrugged, careful to keep iny expression neutral.

Sarah qurd my arm. Just watch yourself, okay? Men like Mangan Just staff. Replaceable.”

with that kind of power–they don’t or people like us as epals. To him, you en

If she only knew about the golden mak burning under my collar, about Blake’s whispered promises, about how che looked at me like I was irreplaceable. She’d have a stroke on the spot.

“I love you, kiddo.” She kissed my cheek. “Thu going to work the room, see if there’s anyone else who might help. Meet you by the entrance in an hour?”

After she left. I turned to the mirror, pushing aside my hair to expose my neck. The mark gleamed in the harsh light–nearly all gold now, Jackson’s silver imprint almost completely overwritten by Blake’s claims.

The warmth of it pulsed in time with my he

heartbeat. Going back to Shadow Creek meant giving this up. Giving up.

The door swung open without warning. I yanked my hair down and whirled around, fists raised–only to find Blake filling the doorframe, eyes buming like

“Jesus!” I hissed, quickly checking the door was shut. “Are you trying to get caught?”

“Nobody saw me.” He crossed the tiny room in two strides. “1 checked.”

“That’s not the My protest died as he cupped my face in his hands.

“They humiliated you,” he growled softly, thumbs brashing my cheeks. “Took everything I had not to tear the place apart.”

“I can handle a little wine to the face.” I tried to sound tough, but found myself leaning into his touch. “Not my first rodeo with Hayes family hospitality.“