Marked Twice by the Alpha King novel Chapter 50

Chapter 50: Between Her and the Wolf

Blake’s Po

POV

The tribal council had sucked the life out of me. I kicked the manor door shut behind me, savoring the heavy thud.

My shoulders dropped an inch. Here, at least, I didn’t have to be the unshakable Alpha King. Just tired, cranky Blake Morgan with a pounding headache.

I closed my eyes, letting my senses map the house. Lucas was probably in the training room, Sophia likely out or perhaps in her room preparing for the wedding. And Ava… I wondered if her back had healed.

My eyes snapped open and I felt confused, agitated. Why did I care?

“Everything satisfactory, Alpha King?”

Wilson stood at the foot of the stairs, spine rigid as a silver pole, eyes carefully bland.

“Fine,” I muttered, the word clipped. “Lucas still training?”

“Indeed, sir. With Miss Rivers.” The way he said her name–like picking up something distasteful–made my jaw tighten.

I’d deal with Wilson’s attitude later. Right now, checking on Lucas seemed as good an excuse as any to stretch my legs. Just routine Alpha business, making sure the heir was progressing.

That’s what I told myself, anyway.

Halfway down the corridor, my hackles rose. The air changed–tension, anger, fear. My pace quickened automatically, instincts shifting into high alert. Through the heavy oak door came muffled sounds: harsh whispers, the thud of bodies, a breathless “let go.”

And smells–Ava’s scent spiked with adrenaline and fury. And intertwined with it, a scent that had no business being here.

Jackson Hayes.

The door slammed open under my hand.

Jackson had Ava pinned against the stone wall, one hand clamped around her wrists, the other gripping her jaw, forcing her head to the side. His mouth hovered over her neck where I knew her mark sat, his body pressed against hers. She was twisting, fighting, but caught at the wrong angle.

My vision washed red.

“What the fuck is happening here? The words came out barely human.

Jackson froze like prey in headlights. The pressure of my Alpha energy hit him physically, making him stumble back from Ava. His face went slack with terror as his knees buckled, body responding to primal instinct. Head down, neck exposed–submission

Too little, too late.

I crossed the room in three strides, grabbed him by the throat, and slammed him into the wall hard enough that mortar dust rained down. The stone cracked behind him with a satisfying crunch.

“I warned you.” Each word dripped from my mouth like venom.

Jackson dangled from my grip, choking, his feet scrabbling against the wall. His face purpled as he fought for air, eyes bulging. The wolf in me howled for blood, Break his neck. Tear him apart. Show him what happens when he touches what’s mine-

A warm hand touched my back.

“Blake, stop.” Ava’s voice cut through the red fog. “He’s not worth it.”

tightened my grip, feeling Jackson’s pulse flutter under my fingers.

“Sophia would be devastated,” Ava added softly. “Don’t make her pay for his stupidity.”

The reminder of my daughter hit like e ice water. I dropped Jackson like garbage, watching him crumple to the floor in a pathetic heap, wheezing and

Chapter 50 Between Her and the Wolf

clutching his throat.

up,” I snapped.

He struggled to his feet, weaving like a drunk, eyes fixed on the floor.

“Touch her agam,” I said, each word precise, and Sophia’s feelings won’t save you. Alpha or not, I’ll tear y

your spine out through your

throat. Understand?”

Jackson nodded frantically, still not looking up.

“Now get the fuck out of my sight.”

He stumbled toward the door, half–crawling, the smell of fear pouring off him like sweat..

When the door closed behind him, the silence felt electric. Awa stood watching me, chest rising and falling rapidly, face flushed. Her hair had come loose from its practical braid, wild strands framing her face. Something primitive curled in my gut at the right.

okay?” I managed, trying to sound normal and failing.

My temper flared. “Fine? That’s it? I walk in and find Jackson manhandling you, and all you’ve got is Tine‘?”

“What do you want me to say?” She yanked her combat jacket straight. Thanks for the save, now 111 get back to work?”

“You must have given him some reason-

“Oh, that’s rich.” She jabbed a finger at my chest. “Blame the victim Real Alpha move

I caught her wrist. “A trained warrior like you could have broken free if you really wanted to.”

The second the words left my mouth, I regretted them. Her face went blank with shock, then flooded with hurt before hardening into fury.

I released her wrist like it burned. What the hell was wrong with me? I knew Jackson was the aggressor. I’d seen it with my own eyes.

The door swung open. Sophia walked in first, her smile bright, followed by Lucas and–goddamnut–Jackson. How had that snake composed himself so quickly? He slunk in behind my children, keeping Sophia between us like a shield.

“There you are!” Sophia beamed. “We’ve been looking everywhere.” Her eyes darted between me and Ava, picking up on the tension crackling in the air. “Everything okay?”

Lucas peered around his sister. “Dad? What’s wrong? Your eyes are still gold.”

I forced myself to breathe. My wolf pulled back reluctantly, claws retracting.

Training discussion got heated,” I lied, watching Jackson hover near the door, unable to meet my gaze. Good. At least he knew his place now.

Sophia nudged Lucas, Tell Dad what the kitchen said,”

Lucas bounced on his toes, momentarily distracted. ‘Chef says dinner’s gonna be super late ‘cause they messed up the moonlight herbs!” His disappointment quickly shifted to hope. “Hut maybe we could go somewhere instead? All of us? Like old times?”