Marked Twice by the Alpha King novel Chapter 14

Chapter 14

“Just wanted something cool to show Miss Rivers, Lucas mumbled, scuffing his shoe on the carpet. “Everyone else bails. Thought she might stick around if…”

“That dust is for trained warriors,‘ Blake cut in. “It’s dangerous for kids whose bodies can’t handle it.”

Lucas’s head snapped up, eyes flashing. “You never let me try the real stuff! How am I supposed to get better with baby toys?”

By nailing the basics first, Blake said, crossing his arms. “Three months. No weapons. Back to square one.”

“What?” Lucas’s face fell. “No way! That’s not fair! I need-”

“Watch it, Blake warned.

Tears filled Lucas’s eyes, but his chin jutted out. “You don’t even see me anymore. You’re just… gone. All the time. His voice caught. “I just wanted you to look at me for five seconds.”

Something flickered across Blake’s face–a flash of hurt before the Alpha mask locked back in place. “This isn’t how you get my attention.”

I bit my tongue, the words he’s just a kid pushing to get out. I caught Blake’s quick look my way and remembered our argument. Not my place to step in. Not yet.

“Medical, Blake told Wilson. “Make sure he’s okay.”

“Yes, Alpha. Wilson guided Lucas out with a gentle hand on his shoulder.

Blake grabbed the forgotten herbs, quickly mixing them with water. He handed me a glass without looking at me. “Drink up.”

The stuff tasted like dirt mixed with old socks. I choked it down while keeping my distance, the dust’s effects already fading.

The door opened again. “Dad? Is Lucas okay? The staff said something about moon dust?”

A woman walked in, and my stomach dropped. This was Sophia, Blake’s daughter. The girl Jackson had chosen over me.

Sophia made me want to hate her on principle, but dang it–she was hard to dislike. Tall and graceful in a flowing blue dress, with golden hair in some fancy braid that probably took hours. Her face was like a softer version of Blake’s–pretty without being sharp. She was everything I wasn’t–polished, put–together, perfect. Jackson’s perfect trophy.

My mark ached dully as she entered. Even with the herbs working, I picked up her scent–flowers with an undercurrent of Alpha power.

Her eyes landed on me with friendly curiosity before turning to Blake, “What happened?”

“Lucas found my training dust,” Blake said, sounding normal again. “Decided to try it out on us,” He added, looking at me.

Sophia looked at me with concern. “You okay? First time can be rough.”

I touched my neck where the mark now hummed. “Yeah, I’m good. The herbs helped.”

Sophia studied me for a moment, a curious smile playing on her lips. “Dad, is she your new girlfriend? You never bring women home.”

Blake actually looked startled. “What? No. This is Lucas’s new combat teacher.”

“Thank goodness,” Sophia said with a laugh. “That kid needs someone who won’t bail after a day.”

Footsteps sounded from the hall. I should’ve known he’d be right behind her–Jackson followed Sophia everywhere like her shadow these days. Every muscle in my body locked up as he rounded the corner.