Marked Twice by the Alpha King novel Chapter 78

Bad Husband 78

Chapter 78

Ava’s POV

The dagger flipped between my fingers, catching sunlight as I stared at the wooden target. All morning I’d tried to keep my mind off Dad’s case. Since Blake stepped in to stop Shadow Creek’s execution plans, the weight crushing my shoulders had finally lifted a bit. Still just a temporary win–Dad remained locked up, with the truth buried somewhere.

“Again,” I told Lucas, watching his form. “Keep low. Don’t rush it.”

He nodded, those gray–blue eyes so much like Blake’s flashing with focus. Hunter sprawled nearby, gold eyes following his master’s every move. The kid had come so far these past weeks, giving me a strange sense of pride.

“You’re quiet today,” Lucas said, passing me water. Something in his eyes made him seem older than seven. “Because of your dad?”

I drank deep, the cold sliding down my throat. “Just beat. Saw him yesterday. He’s doing better now. Your dad made that happen.”

My chest tightened saying those words. What Blake did went miles beyond our Blood Oath. He’d risked Shadow Creek’s anger by stepping in. Could’ve stayed clear, but didn’t. I still hadn’t sorted out how that made me feel.

“By the way,” Lucas said, “I saw some guy talking to Sophia when I went for water. New visitor?”

His eyes lit up instantly. Even Hunter raised his head.

“Has to be Cousin Steven! He’s been gone forever! Heard he was coming today.”

Right on cue, Sophia called from the training yard entrance. “Look who I found–training time!”

She walked over with a stranger beside her. He had the Morgan look–tall with that natural grace–but younger than Blake, probably my age. Silver–gold curls caught the sun, framing a face straight out of wolf legends. Movie–star handsome with confidence that didn’t quite cross into cocky.

Lucas bounced up. “Steven!”

“Ava, meet my cousin, Steven Morgan, next Alpha of Dark Moon pack,” Sophia beamed. “Steven, this is Ava Rivers, Lucas’s combat teacher.”

Steven’s eyes moved from Lucas to me, taking a slow inventory that made me stand straighter, feeling sized up like prey.

“Mr. Morgan, welcome to Blackwood, I kept it business–like.

Instead of a handshake, he gave a slight bow–northern style. “Steven, please. Your southern fighting methods fascinate me. Totally different from up north.”

“Steven collects pack histories, Sophia explained. “From all over.”

“And southern fighting techniques,” he added, eyes fixed on me. “I heard about your Honor Medal at Warrior Academy.”

The Shadow Creek mention put me on guard. Since Dad’s traitor label, any reference to my pack made me tense. How’d he know my background?

“Just basic stuff,” I cut it short. “Lucas, back to work?”

Steven caught my discomfort but pushed anyway. “I’m tracking inter–pack conflicts,” he lowered his voice. “Shadow Creek’s recent… troubles might make an interesting chapter.”

My pulse jumped. Was he fishing for info about Dad?

“Wrong person for pack politics,” I said coolly. “I just teach fighting.”

“Speaking of which, Sophia jumped in, “Steven’s archery is unbeatable! No one up north comes close.”

“Really?” Lucas’s eyes widened. ‘Show us!”

Steven winked. “If Miss Rivers doesn’t mind a quick break?”

First shot: dead center.

I couldn’t help smiling at his loyalty. Then Steven truly impressed us. He backed further away with each shot, arrows still finding bullseye with deadly aim. He split his previous arrows down the middle.