Marked Twice by the Alpha King novel Chapter 147

Ava’s POV

I stared out the window, watching sunlight dapple through leaves. Days ago, I was training a young Alpha, sleeping with his father, thinking I belonged somewhere. Now I was packing boxes. Again.

“Some choice,” I muttered. “House sold, blacklisted from Blackwood. It’s Hayes territory or lone wolf status.”

Sarah squeezed my hand, her callused palm familiar as my own heartbeat. “It’s for William. Once you qualify for Blood Protection-

‘I know,” I cut her off. The same sales pitch I’d heard a hundred times, like repeating it would somehow make returning to Hayes hell more palatable.

I looked around at the boxes swallowing my life. “Remember when I first moved in? I slept on the floor for a week because the bed smelled wrong.

A tired smile flickered across Sarah’s face. “Your wolf–nose was always too good. William took night shifts on the floor with you until you gave in.

Dad. Locked in that damn cell, clueless that we were about to move into enemy territory to save him.

My fingers found the mark on my neck, now almost entirely gold. Blake’s claim had nearly erased all traces of Jackson’s silver. What happens to it when I go back to Hayes territory? Does it flip back to silver? Or just fade away completely, like everything else between Blake and me?

“Dinner’s ready,” Sarah said, squeezing my shoulder. “Your favorite roast. We can plan your new start after.”

New start. Right. Some fresh beginning–backing into the same cage I’d escaped, with Jackson waiting to snap the lock shut.

Hayes territory, my new home. Fucking poetic. We forge our own chains and call it love.

I traced the mark one more time, wondering if Blake was sitting in his study right now, already forgetting my scent.

Two days later, we pulled up to the Hayes mansion, the enormous structure looming like a prison against the afternoon sky. Martha waited at the entrance, her perfectly tailored suit and professionally styled hair a stark contrast to our exhausted appearances.

“Ava!” She greeted with practiced warmth, her smile calculated to the millimeter. “I’m delighted you’ve finally made the wise

Vanessa stood behind her, arms crossed tightly over her chest, eyes burning with barely concealed hatred. I avoided meeting her gaze directly. The less contact with any Hayes, the better.

‘Not like I had a choice,” I muttered under my breath.

Sarah nudged me with her elbow, shooting me a warning glance “She’s just joking,” she forced a laugh, then turned to Martha. “Thank you so much for your hospitality.”

‘Of course, this is what pack does, Martha replied, her eyes, scanning me like I was merchandise she’d finally acquired. ‘Shall I show you to your quarters?”

My wolf bristled under my skin as we followed Martha into the mansion. The Hayes family home was impressive–excessive wealth on display at every turn, with ancient wolf symbols and power sigils embedded in every available surface. I had to admit, it was beautiful in a cold, intimidating way.

Vanessa took over as our guide, leading us silently through the grand hallways. We passed elaborately decorated rooms and pack members who averted their eyes when they saw me. I expected we’d head toward the instructor quarters near the main training facilities–that’s where combat teachers usually lived.

Instead, Vanessa led us down a narrower corridor, away from the main house. I frowned, glancing at Sarah who seemed too overwhelmed by the grandeur to notice our path.

‘Isn’t the training facility in the east wing?” I asked, remembering the layout from my academy days.

Vanessa barely looked back. “You’ll see the facilities tomorrow.

A knot formed in my stomach. Something felt off. Wouldn’t a Chief Combat Instructor be housed closer to the main training areas? And shouldn’t Martha be giving me a tour of where I’d be teaching?

1/3

Chapter 147

Vanessa pushed open a heavy wooden door, leading us across what appeared to be a secondary training yard to a building on the far side. My steps slowed as I realized we were heading toward the warrior barracks, not instructor housing.

“Wait, where are we going?” I asked, my suspicion growing stronger.

“Your quarters, Vanessa replied flatly.

We entered what looked like some kind of common area for lower–ranked pack members. The ait inside smelled of sweat and medicinal herbs, with only a few dim lights illuminating the space. My heart sank as I took in my surroundings.

The furniture was worn, the small kitchen equipped with outdated appliances, and old fighting gear hung from hooks on the walls. Scuff marks covered the floor, and the wolf sigils painted on the walls had faded to ghosts of their original vibrant colors.

This part of the mansion stood in stark contrast to the opulent main areas we’d just walked through. My internal alarm bells were ringing loudly now.

“There must be some mistake,” I said, looking around in confusion. “These are warrior quarters. Combat instructors don’t live here.”

Several young training warriors lounged in the common area. They jumped to attention when they spotted Vanessa, standing rigid as they awaited orders. She looked down at them like they were something stuck to her designer shoe.

“What are you doing here?” she snapped. “Border patrol started ten minutes ago, and you’re lounging around? Should I report this to Jackson?”

“N–no, Miss Hayes,” one of the younger warriors answered, eyes fixed on the floor. “We just finished training and were taking a short break…