Marked Twice by the Alpha King novel Chapter 88

Chapter 88

Ava’s POV

Sad. Maybe…

I trudged after Steven through the moonlit woods, pushing those thoughts down where they belonged. The path narrowed between thick pines, but strips of silver moonlight still found their way through, lighting our steps.

“Much further?” I asked, my voice steadier than the mess in my head.

“Almost there,” Steven glanced back, concern written all over his face. “You hanging in okay?”

“Yeah,” I forced a quick smile. “Just don’t want to miss this guy.”

Truth was, Blake’s whatever–attitude stung, but not nearly as bad as it should’ve. I had bigger fish to fry–Dad’s freedom, Mom’s health, the kid’s training. No time for hurt feelings.

“This is it,” Steven announced.

A small cabin sat nestled between massive trees, a weak yellow light leaking through its single window.

“Keeper should be waiting,” Steven said, but something in his voice hit a wrong note.

I followed him toward the cabin when my gut kicked in with a warning. “What exactly does this guy know about my dad?”

Steven stopped and turned. The patchy moonlight made his face look like one of those half–masked theater props.

“Ava,” his voice dropped, “I need to tell you something.”

My combat radar pinged loud. “What’s going on?”

He took a deep breath. “There’s no keeper. No new evidence about your dad.”

I froze, cold spreading through my limbs. “Come again?”

“I lied,” he admitted, meeting my eyes head–on. “I needed an excuse to get you alone.”

The betrayal hit like ice water. I stepped back. “So this whole night was bullshit? Just to get me out here with you?”

“Not exactly,” he stepped toward me. “I am working on your dad’s case, and I do think he’s innocent. There’s just… no keeper meeting tonight.”

Then what’s with the cabin?” I asked, voice dropping several degrees.

“Hunter’s lodge I use for border research, he explained. “I wanted us away from everything. Just to talk.”

1

Disappointment mixed with anger, but not as much as I expected. “So using my dad as bait seemed like a great plan?”

“It was shitty,” he owned it, regret filling his eyes. “But I couldn’t figure out another way. Every time I get close, you back away. Every time I try to tell you how I feel, you change the subject.”

‘Because I’ve got actual problems!” I shot back, surprised at how calm I sounded. “Dad in prison, Mom falling apart, Lucas counting on me–ring any bells?”

“Is that it?‘ he asked quietly. “Or is it because you’re hung up on what Blake thinks?”

That shot hit the bullseye. Had I been that obvious? Those moments my pulse raced when Blake walked in, the way I held my breath waiting for his reaction?

“My feelings aren’t the issue,” I deflected. “You using Dad’s situation to trick me–that’s the problem.”

‘I screwed up,” he said simply. “But what I feel for you is real. Since that first day watching you fight, I haven’t been able to get you out of my head. I will help find evidence for your dad–that’s a promise.”

I took a breath, feeling my anger starting to fizzle out. His lie was wrong, but at least he came clean, and those eyes weren’t faking that remorse.

“Because I flat–out told him I was into you,” Steven confessed. “Said I wanted you alone at the border. If he felt anything beyond boss–employee stuff, would’ve reacted.”

The truth stung, but less than I’d feared. Maybe I’d built castles in the air. Maybe what felt special to me was just Tuesday to him.

He moved forward carefully, like I might bolt any second. ‘I’m not asking for anything massive. Just a chance to show you there’s life beyond old hurts.

“No rush,” he replied, his fingers barely grazing my cheek. “We’ve got time. Tonight, just try breathing without carrying the whole world, okay?”