Marked Twice by the Alpha King novel Chapter 64

Chapter 64

“We’re playing with fire here,” I said softly, not sure if I was warning him or myself.

“Yeah,” he agreed, eyes locked on mine. “Big time.”

The air felt heavy, like right before lightning strikes. The carriage hit a bump, throwing our shoulders together. Even through our clothes, that split–second touch sent electricity through me. I noticed Blake white–knuckling the seat edge.

He was fighting whatever this was. So was I.

The carriage jerked to a stop, breaking the spell. We’d reached my place.

Blake hopped out with that natural grace alpha wolves have, then opened my door. That old–school gentleman move wasn’t something you saw much these days, especially for a nobody like me.

As I stepped down, the night wind cut right through me, making me shiver. Pre–full moon nights always carried this weird chill, like the Moon Goddess giving us a heads–up about tomorrow’s wildness.

“You’re dressed way too light, Blake frowned. “You should be wearing something warmer this close to full moon.”

“It’s fighting gear, not a fashion statement,” I shrugged. “Practical over pretty.”

He went quiet, then unclasped his wolf–skin cape. This wasn’t just any cape–it was an Alpha King symbol, made from rare silver–backed wolf fur with Morgan family designs sewn into the edges.

“Take it,” he held it out, his tone saying he wouldn’t take no for an answer. “The cold before full moon hits different.”

I hesitated. Taking an Alpha King’s cape wasn’t small potatoes–people would read all kinds of things into it.

‘I can’t,” I said, even as my hand reached for it anyway. “This is part of your Alpha stuff.”

“It’s just a damn cape,” he snapped impatiently. “Don’t make it weird.”

His words stung, but his eyes told a different story. Blake Morgan was one big contradiction–saying he didn’t care while doing everything to show he did.

I finally took the cape and wrapped it around me. Instantly, warmth seeped in, along with his scent–rain–soaked pine trees and lightning–struck earth, powerful but somehow comforting.

“Bring it back tomorrow,” he ordered, switching back to Alpha mode. “Don’t be late for training.”

“Yes, Alpha King,” I nodded, deliberately using his full title to match his bossy tone.

I walked to my door, feeling his eyes on my back. When I dug out my key, I couldn’t help glancing back.

Blake stood there in the moonlight, a powerful shadow refusing to budge, making sure I got in safe.

That small thing–that unasked–for protectiveness–sparked something warm in my chest.

“Thanks,” I said quietly, not just for the cape.”

He just nodded, face hidden in shadow. “Night, Ava.”

“Goodnight, Blake.”

I pushed inside the dark house and closed the door, hearing his carriage pull away.

I leaned against the door, breathing deep. His cape smelled like him–strong, wild, like storms and forests mixed together. For some reason, it made me feel safer than I had in ages.

I’d meant to ask about Dad’s case, about why there was zero progress, but the timing felt wrong. Somehow I trusted him, even though we barely knew each other and came from different worlds. Jackson’s warning bells kept ringing–that Blake was just using me. But those gray–blue eyes made me want to believe

otherwise.