Marked Twice by the Alpha King novel Chapter 54

Chapter 54: Beneath the Costume

Ava’s POV

That vier cut through the room like a knife, deep and heavy with power. guards froze like deer in headlights, leads dropping as Alpha energy hit

a heartbeat, the ait went thick as mud, Everyone–headmaster,

Tyler, even the

1 spun around, heart in my throat.

Blake stood in the doorway, all broad shoulders and dangerous eyes leucked straight on me.

I opened my mouth, then closed it. What could I possibly say? I was screwed–not just jobless, but possibly dead meat. Faking being the Alpha King’s Laura, using his tribal cape with permission, dragging his son into my lies… Moon Goshless, hail I completely lost my mind?

The headmaster finally found his voice, though it shook like a leaf: “Alpha King Morgant What a surprise. I was just catching this impostor. She claims to be Lucas & mother and stole your cape. I was about to punish hier accordingly.

Blake walked in, his eyes–sliding from my face to where the beadmaster’s fingers were still digging into my wrist…

“What’s that?” Blake’s voir dropped low, dangerous as a growl,

The headmaster blinked. “What, sir?

“Your hand,” Blake said slowly, “om my lana’s wrist.“

The room went dead quiet. My heart skipped, then raced like I’d mainlined caffeine. The headmaster went white as a sheet and dropped my wrist like it

barned.

“Your… Lana?” be choked out, eyes bouncing between us. “But after Elizabeth… we never brand –”

Blake stepped closer, and the headmaster scrambled back. Alpha power flooded the room, making it hard to breathe. My wolf practically rolled over inside. me, instinctively submitting to the strongest Alpha,

*You questioning me? Blake asked, voice quiet but deadly,

The headmaster bowed so fast he nearly fell. “Never, Alpha King.

Blake held his hand out to me, I stood there like an idiot, not sure what to do. His eyes flickered, fingers giving a little curl. Then it clicked–he wanted me to play along.

I grabbed onto whatever courage I had left and put my hand in his. He wrapped his fingers around mine and pulled me next to him. His thumb brushed the red marks on my wrist, his touch gentle but questioning.

“We’re keeping things quiet,” Blake told the headmaster. “Pack politics. You get

He turned to me, something flashing in his eyes I couldn’t read. “Hale, why didn’t you tell me Lucas was in trouble at school?”

I froze, brain spinning. He doesn’t even know about the fight. How’s he bringing it up? And why the hell is he backing my crazy le?

When I just stood there, Blake

1. r. Blake slipped his arm around my waist and tagged me closer. He bent to my ear: “Go with it.” His breath tickled my neck, sending goosebumps down my am.

Thought you had your hands full with tribal si

stuff,” I managed. “Didn’t wanna pile on.

flake squeezed my waist slightly–apparently I’d said the right thing I caught Tyler by the dont looking thoughtful–clearly in on the truth but playing aling

The headmaster looked like someone had just rewritten reality. “Alpha King, Luna Morgan, please forgive my mistake. I had no idea about your….. connection.”

Blake just nodded, then looked at m “My cape?”

That’s when it hit me I was still wrapped in his Alpha cape. The thing smelled like him–pine and rain–soaked earth. My face went hot, like I’d been caught

“Yeah, figured I should give it back, I said, bambling with the clare

This was the kind of thing mates did fou rachother. My heart hammereil,