Ava’s POV

Jackson’s face went white as a sheet. He dropped his hands and stepped back like I’d burned him.

“Bullshit,” he spat, but doubt flickered across his face.

“You never knew me, Jackson. I don’t need lies for protection. You just can’t stand that someone could make me forget the pain your pathetic mark causes.”

The warriors exchanged glances nearby, whispering among themselves.

“The Alpha King?” one scoffed in disbelief. “No way. He wouldn’t touch damaged goods.”

“She’s bluffing,” another laughed. “Blake wouldn’t piss on his future son-in-law’s territory.”

Jackson’s expression twisted ugly as he advanced again.

“You think you’re clever?” he snarled, teeth bared. “Dropping the Alpha King’s name like some magic shield?”

His hand locked around my throat again, tighter this time, fingers digging into flesh.

“Listen up, Ava. Your father’s as good as dead. Take my offer, or lose everything—not just daddy dearest.”

As black spots danced in my vision and my lungs screamed for air, my wolf thrashed wildly beneath my skin. Suddenly, a wave of power hit the terrace like a tsunami, making every wolf present shake like leaves in a storm.

Alpha aura—thick enough to choke on—flooded the space. Jackson’s hand flew off my throat as if yanked by an invisible force. He whipped around, face draining of all color.

Blake stood at the entrance, his massive frame outlined by moonlight, eyes burning gold like molten metal. He didn’t make a sound; he didn’t need to. His mere existence in the space was enough to silence everyone. The power radiating from him went beyond mere Alpha—this was the Alpha King, the supreme ruler of all packs.

“Care to explain what I’m seeing, Mr. Hayes?” Blake asked, his voice deceptively soft.

Jackson immediately ducked his head, body instinctively backing away. Future son-in-law or not, he was nothing before the Alpha King.

“Alpha King, just… handling a personal matter,” Jackson stammered.

Blake’s eyes flicked from Jackson to the angry red marks blooming on my neck, then back to Jackson’s face. His expression remained neutral, but the pressure in the air intensified until breathing became difficult.

“Strange way to handle ‘personal matters’ in my neutral territory,” Blake observed, each word like a silk-wrapped knife.

Jackson’s face cycled between terror and embarrassment as he realized how badly he’d messed up in front of his future father-in-law.

“I apologize, Alpha King. Lost my temper,” he muttered.

Blake gave a slight nod, seemingly accepting the apology, though his eyes remained cold. He extended his hand toward me.

“Ava, come here,” he commanded.

My feet moved almost on their own, pulled by something deeper than conscious thought. His Alpha aura created a shield between Jackson and me, solid as steel though completely invisible. Through it all, Blake’s face remained perfectly composed, but everyone felt the raw power rolling off him in waves.

“The gathering continues inside,” Blake told Jackson and the others. “I’m sure you have guests to attend to.”

Though spoken politely, no one missed the dismissal. Jackson hesitated, then nodded respectfully.

“How did you know to come here?” I asked, voice barely audible. Was he here for me? The thought made my chest tight with hope.