Marked Twice by the Alpha King novel Chapter 15

Chapter 15

Ava’s POV

“Jackson, Sophia said when he didn’t answer, squeezing his arm gently. “Do you know her?”

Heavy silence blanketed the room. My heart nearly stopped as I waited for his answer. My wolf thrashed inside me, sensing the danger approaching.

Jackson’s expression shifted from shock to cold indifference in seconds, his eyes deliberately avoiding mine. “No, I don’t know her,” he said calmly, his tone calculated and distant. “She just looks like someone I might have seen around.

The words cut through me like a blade. Two years of promises, of sworn devotion–all reduced to “I don’t know her.” The mate mark still throbbed on my neck, a physical reminder of how ridiculous his lie was.

My hand instinctively moved to my neck, trying to cover the mark that began to burn with his denial. When our eyes finally met, I saw the warning flash in his gaze.

Sophia’s eyes darted between us, clearly sensing the tension. “Strange,” she said slowly. “There’s something… peculiar about the energy between you two.”

Blake’s hand landed on my shoulder, warm and steady. “I’m afraid the moon shadow dust hasn’t fully worn off,” he stated calmly, his voice carrying Junquestionable authority. ‘It can cause emotional fluctuations.”

Jackson’s gaze fixed on Blake’s hand, his jaw visibly tightening. “Of course,” he nodded, his perfect smile firmly in place. “Moon shadow dust is known to be… unpredictable.

After an awkward pause, Sophia turned to me with a smile. “Anyway, I’m glad Lucas finally has an instructor he won’t chase away on day one. You must be special.”

Suddenly, the sound of urgent paws broke the tense atmosphere. Hunter–Lucas’s massive wolf–dog–burst into the room, golden eyes gleaming.

When he spotted Jackson, he froze, a deep growl rumbling from his throat. His fur bristled as he fixed his gaze on Jackson, as if sensing a threat.

“Hunter!” Blake commanded sharply, but the wolf–dog continued growling, ignoring his master’s order.

To everyone’s surprise, Hunter then turned to me, and the growling immediately stopped. He approached slowly, sniffed my hand, then unexpectedly licked my fingertips like we were old friends.

“That’s highly unusual, Sophia remarked, eyebrows raised. “Hunter is never friendly with strangers, especially… non–pack members.”

“She must have a special gift,” Sophia laughed. “No wonder Lucas likes her.”

Jackson’s eyes narrowed, the surface smile failing to mask the jealousy and anger in his eyes. He stepped forward, and Hunter immediately returned to a defensive posture, growling low in warning.

“So, Jackson forced himself to look at Blake, “Miss Rivers is here as Lucas’s combat instructor? That’s… unexpected.”

“What’s unexpected about it?” Blake asked evenly, his voice low with a hint of challenge.

Jackson shrugged. Just some recent… matters concerning the Rivers family.” He paused deliberately, letting the word hang in the air.

“What?” I finally spoke, my voice stronger than I’d expected, knowing exactly what he was trying to do.

Jackson’s gaze settled on me, with the pleasure of a cat toying with a mouse. “About your father, Ava. They’re saying he betrayed the pack, that he’s responsible for Alpha Carter’s death.”

“Enough, Blake’s voice wasn’t loud, but it carried the full weight of Alpha authority. “I won’t have unfounded accusations in my home.”

Jackson immediately lowered his head, but I caught the satisfied smirk that flashed across his face–he thought he’d successfully planted seeds of doubt.

Sophia looked uncomfortable, gently touching my arm. “Don’t mind those ridiculous rumors. If my father trusts you, that’s enough.” She turned to Jackson,

Honey, shouldn’t we check on the wedding preparations?”

a new protector.”

express.

Jackson smiled triumphantly, kissing Sophia’s cheek while keeping his eyes fixed on me. “Only a true fated mate deserves such a symbol,” he said softly, words clearly meant for me.