Marked Twice by the Alpha King novel Chapter 84

Chapter 84

Blake’s POV

I sank back into the leather seat, shutting my eyes against the throbbing in my head. Today’s tribal meetings had dragged on like a bad hangover, each decision heavy with consequences. But even these headaches couldn’t drown out the image haunting me–Ava Rivers, with those deep green eyes and that iron–core strength.

Tyler drove through the night forest, moonlight dappling the road through branches. My wolf paced inside me like a caged animal, pushing against my skin, demanding I claim what it saw as mine. The raw intensity of this feeling made me sick.

Since hearing about Ava and Steven’s dinner at Moon Lake, my mind kept painting pictures I didn’t want to see–Ava in something fancy instead of her usual battle gear, her wild beauty lit up by moonlight. Steven–my nephew–standing next to her with hunger in his eyes. The same hunger I fought back every damn day. Just thinking about it made my wolf bare its teeth.

“Boss, Tyler broke the silence, his voice careful, “there’s something you should know.”

I opened my eyes, feeling them flash gold in the dark. “What now?”

Tyler kept his eyes on the road, his fingers tightening on the wheel. This hesitation wasn’t like my right–hand man at all.

“About Ava and Steven.”

Just those names together made my wolf thrash against its cage. I had to work to keep the growl out of my voice. “Spit it out.”

“Lucas let it slip after training today,” Tyler continued evenly, though I caught the caution in his tone, “Steven’s taking Ava to Shadow Creek’s boundary. Something about tribal marks that only show up right before full moon.”

I shut my eyes again, trying to get my breathing under control. Hot anger bubbled in my chest. Tribal marks? Was that Steven’s line, or something real? And why the hell would Ava agree to go somewhere that dangerous with him? The boundaries before full moon were a powder keg–any outsiders might run into wolves with more teeth than sense.

“She said yes?” My voice came out rough as gravel.

Tyler paused for a heartbeat. “Yeah. Looks like it connects to her dad’s case. Those boundary marks might have proof that could clear William Rivers.”

Cold understanding hit me like ice water. Of course. For her father, Ava would walk through fire. That bone–deep loyalty was one thing I admired about her. But this time, that loyalty could get her hurt..

My Alpha wolf howled, demanding I take action–lock her somewhere safe, away from all threats, away from Steven’s hungry eyes. But the part of me that had ruled alone for seven years, making the tough calls, knew I had no right.

“Step on it, I finally said, my voice deadly calm. “I need to get back to Blackwood. Now.

Tyler didn’t ask questions, just nodded and hit the gas. The silence between us said plenty. I stared into the rushing darkness, turning over how to handle this mess. How to keep Ava safe without showing my hand. How to face my nephew, another Alpha cut from the same cloth.

Hardest of all, how to fight what was growing inside me? That primal need to mark her as mine, to tear apart any man who got too close? For seven years, I

thought that part of me was buried with Elizabeth. Now it seemed it had just been sleeping and Ava Rivers had woken it up.

I strode through Blackwood’s entrance, every step radiating don’t–mess–with–me authority. My Alpha presence filled the air like smoke, making every passing warrior duck their head and look away. Wilson materialized from the shadows, about to speak, but I cut him off with just a look.

“Training room, Alpha King, Wilson answered what I hadn’t asked, worry flickering across his face. “Young Master Steven and Mr. Hayes are in there. Things are… heating up.”

I headed straight for the training room without a word. I’d expected to find Ava working with Lucas, but instead walked into a powder keg–Steven had Jackson pinned against the wall, anger crackling between them like electricity.

“Tell me the damn truth, Steven was practically growling, “a mate mark is sacred as it gets, but you tossed her aside like yesterday’s trash. Why? What was worth that?”

Jackson fought against the hold, but Steven had him locked down tight. “I love Sophia, Jackson shot back, though I could smell the lies pouring off him from across the room. “I don’t owe you any explanations.”

Chapter 84

“You stink of bullshit, Steven hissed, his eyes wild. “You dumped your fated mate to climb the ladder, to snag the Alpha spot by marrying into the Morgan bloodline.”

“Think whatever you want,” Jackson’s voice turned cold and sharp, “what Sophia and I have is real. You’re just pissed I got what you’re after.”

“She was your fated mate!” Steven sounded genuinely stunned, like he couldn’t wrap his head around someone spitting in the Moon Goddess’s face like that. “Your wolf must be tearing you up every day for what you did. Unless…” his eyes suddenly went wide, “unless you never gave a damn about that mark. Unless she was just a stepping stone from day one.”

Jackson’s face darkened to something dangerous. “What do you know about real choices? You get to play history detective up north while I’ve got a pack to think about! I picked Sophia, and Ava… she’ll deal with it. Sophia doesn’t know about me and Ava, and that’s how it’s staying.”