Marked Twice by the Alpha King novel Chapter 150

Chapter 150

Third Person POV

Blake hesitated, feeling the weight of responsibility press down on him. “I’ll fix what I broke,” he promised. “The guilty will be punished. And the innocent…

He left the sentence unfinished, but Lucas’s small smile said he understood.

Neither Blake nor Sophia had a clue what Jackson was up to.

Jackson had noticed something that set his teeth on edge–his silver mark on Ava’s neck was fading, gradually being consumed by Blake’s golden claim.

At first, he’d thought Ava’s expulsion from Blackwood played into his hands. She’d return to Shadow Creek where he could control the situation. He’d planned for her to take the Chief Combat Instructor position–a role that might inspire enough gratitude for her to eventually warm his bed again. A convenient mistress, plus leverage against Morgan if needed.

What he hadn’t anticipated was his family’s ruthlessness. While he’d been busy playing perfect fiancé for Sophia at endless ceremonies, Martha had maneuvered Sarah into selling their house, then dumped Ava in the lowest–ranked warrior quarters. The barracks were crawling with eyes and ears-

s–making

it impossible for him to approach her without raising eyebrows.

He knew in his gut Ava would never hurt Lucas. That kid had her wrapped around his finger from day one.

Whoever did it was seriously twisted, targeting a seven–year–old cub. But it damn sure wasn’t Ava.

So he’d done what any resourceful schemer would–bought himself a scapegoat.

The warrior had been pitifully easy to bribe. Just flash enough money to set her up for life, and suddenly she was all too happy to “confess” to a crime she didn’t commit.

He’d handed her the catalyst vial himself, watched her greedy eyes light up as he described the fortune heading her way.

Now he just needed to engineer Ava’s return to Blackwood, away from these Hayes quarters where things were spiraling be

Ava’s POV

s control.

“You look like death warmed over,” Ella’s voice flickered through our mindlink, her concern washing over me like a warm shower.

I glanced down at my patrol assignment–my third shift in twenty–four hours–and bit back a groan. The Hayes pack was running me into the ground with grunt work that would make an Omega wince.

“That bad at Hayes territory?” Ella pressed.

I sent her a mental eye–roll.

Worse than bad,” I whispered back. “Three days here feels like a month. Haven’t slept more than a couple hours straight since I arrived.”

“God, I’m sorry, Ava, her sympathy flowed through our connection, genuine and warm. “I’ve begged everyone I know for a place you could stay. Nobody’s willing to stick their neck out against the Hayes. Bunch of cowards.”

“Not your circus, not your monkeys,” I assured her, grateful just to hear a friendly voice in my head. Appreciate you trying, though.”

“It’s complete bullshit how they’re treating you,” Ella fumed. “Like some bottom–rank Omega fetch–and–carry. She paused. ‘What does Sarah say about all this?”

I mentally shrugged, gnawing at the inside of my cheek until I tasted blood.

‘She doesn’t know the half of it,” I admitted. I’ve been feeding her the everything’s fine line. She’s already wound so tight about Dad, I can’t dump more on her plate.”

Ella’s disapproval radiated through our link like static electricity.

Chapter 150

“That’s messed up, Ava. She’s your mom, she should know.”

My eyes stung suddenly, and I swiped at them before any nearby Hayes wolves could catch me showing weakness.

Ella muttered. “Have you eaten today? Your energy feels… thinner.”

I didn’t answer. Truth was, I’d barely touched food since arriving. The slop they served in the warrior quarters smelled like wet cardboard, and my appetite had taken a nosedive anyway.

‘I’m managing, I lied.

A prickling sensation at the back of my neck warned me someone was approaching.

“Gotta bounce,” I told her quickly. “Can’t let the warden catch me mindlinking on the job.”

“Keep your strength up,” she urged as I severed our connection. “This isn’t over.”

I’d just wrapped up my patrol shift–with blisters forming on top of blisters–when a sleek black carriage with Silverpeak insignia pulled up at the territory line. My wolf instantly went on alert, hackles rising under my skin.

The window rolled down to reveal Tyler’s weathered face, his expression unreadable.

“Tyler?” I crossed my arms, surprised to see him here. “This is Hayes territory. What brings you across the border?”

“Blake sent me,” he replied, cutting straight to the chase.

A dull ache spread through my chest at Blake’s name. “Of course he did. The Alpha King must be too busy to come himself.”

I spotted two Hayes enforcers ambling our way, their interest piqued by the Silverpeak vehicle.

“Whatever it is, you should make it quick,” I muttered, glancing nervously at the approaching guards. “Hayes patrol is pretty strict about visitors.”

Tyler leapt from the car with surprising agility for his size, catching up to me in three long strides.

“Ava, wait,” he called after me. ‘One minute. That’s all I need.”

I paused, weighing my options. Whatever Tyler had traveled into here to tell me, it had to be important.

“I’m listening,” I said, turning back to him.

“We found the real culprit,” he said, the words landing softly. “A warrior switched Lucas’s catalyst. She confessed to everything.

I froze, something fragile cracking open inside my chest. After days of uncertainty, of seeing the doubt in Blake’s eyes, of choosing to walk away–the truth had finally surfaced.

‘Lucas?” I asked, my voice catching. “How is he?”

“Recovering. Back in his own room today.” Tyler’s gruff/voice softened. “Kid keeps asking for you. Won’t shut up about it, actually.”

A lump formed in my throat that I couldn’t swallow down. I missed that brat more than I’d let myself admit.

“And Blake?” I asked softly. “He knows now?”