Marked Twice by the Alpha King novel Chapter 63

Chapter 63

Ava’s POV

I never thought Blake would personally drive me home.

When dinner at Moonlight Lodge wrapped up and Blake said Tyler would take Jackson and Sophia back to Blackwood Manor, I caught fear flash across Jackson’s face. For all his tough guy act, he turned into a scared puppy in front of the real Alpha King.

Now I sat in Blake’s fancy carriage with Silverpeak wolf designs everywhere. Moonlight poured through the windows between us. Since dinner, Blake had barely said a word. He just sat there like a rock, stealing glances at me with those stormy eyes before quickly looking away.

The silence was getting under my skin more than any awkward conversation would.

“You really didn’t need to do this,” I finally broke the quiet. “I can handle myself.”

Blake’s eyes locked on mine. “Walking alone before a full moon? Even the best fighters shouldn’t mess with that.”

“Danger’s nothing new to me,” I said, though part of me was actually grateful. The night before full moon always brought out the crazy wolves, especially near the northern woods.

“Just because you’re used to getting burned doesn’t mean you should play with fire,” he said with that unmistakable Alpha command in his voice. “That’s not brave, it’s stupid.”

I turned to the window, watching shadows race by, not wanting him to see I actually cared what he thought. Nobody, not even Sarah or Dad, had ever straight–up worried about me like this.

“Why were you with him?” Blake suddenly asked, voice hard. “Why would he think he could put his hands on you?”

I turned back fast, anger bubbling up. “Like I told you, he forced himself on me. I didn’t ask for it or want it.”

“He acted like there was still something between you.” Blake’s eyes gleamed dangerously in the moonlight.

“The only thing between us is this mark he slapped on me years ago before dumping me for a better deal,” I said, trying to keep the hurt out of my voice.

“The mark stuck around. Not exactly my choice.”

Blake’s jaw clenched, something flashing in his eyes I couldn’t read. “That mate mark…” his voice dropped low. It messes with your fighting.”

Not a question–a fact. He’d figured out how the mark screwed with my abilities, which caught me off guard.

“Yeah,” I admitted, “when he’s close, the mark… it throws me off. Makes me weak.” Saying it out loud made me feel naked and ashamed, especially to an Alpha from another pack.

Blake went quiet, his eyes thoughtful. “A mark shouldn’t hurt like that,” he finally said, softer than usual. “A real mate bond should make both stronger, not hold one down.”

‘Maybe in a perfect world,” I gave a half–smile. “But we’re stuck in this one.”

Our eyes met in the darkness, something electric crackling between us. His eyes looked like a storm–tossed ocean in the moonlight, impossible to read.

“Back in the training room,” Blake suddenly said, voice low, ‘I lost it.”

That knocked me speechless. The mighty Alpha King admitting he lost control?

“You had every right to be pissed,” I said carefully. “He broke your house rules.

“It wasn’t just about rules.” Blake’s eyes bored into mine. “He shouldn’t have touched you…”

He trailed off, but what he didn’t say hung between us like a live wire.

The air in the carriage got so thick you could cut it with a knife–something dangerous but tempting pulling us together, like we were both on thin ice about to crack.

“Why?” I whispered before I could stop myself. “Why would you care who touches me?”

Blake’s eyes