Marked Twice by the Alpha King novel Chapter 97

Chapter 97

Third Person POV

Jackson’s nose twitched as he slunk through the neutral zone. The place crawled with activity, nothing like the usual midnight quiet. Keeping to the shadows, he tracked the fading scents in the air. Ava’s sharp and wild like crushed pine needles was growing faint.

Then his nostrils flared, catching something unexpected. Sophia’s scent, all summer flowers and honey, twisted together with Ava’s.

What the hell? He paused, paw mid–air. Why were those two together?

A branch snapped in the distance. He dropped low, belly brushing damp earth. Through the trees, moonlight picked out a group of wolves, and his heart nearly stopped. That massive silver–gray beast could only be one wolf–the Alpha King himself. The hulking brown wolf beside him had to be Tyler.

He watched as the Alpha King shifted back to human form. Even from this distance, his fury was palpable, crackling in the air like lightning before a storm.

“Widen the search, Blake barked, running a hand through his hair. “My daughter and Rivers could be anywhere by now.”

Daughter and Rivers. Missing. Together.

His stomach dropped. His neat little plan to play hero with a fake kidnapping had just exploded in his face.

He strained to catch more fragments.

…rogues spotted near the eastern caves…”

…increased activity since last moon…”

…revenge for Shadow Creek incident…”

The last bit hit him like a sucker punch. Those rogues. Three years back, he’d led a raid against wolves squatting on Shadow Creek land. He’d killed some, deliberately left others alive–ones he thought might be useful someday. They’d scattered, spitting threats he’d brushed off as meaningless.

Not so funny now. Brock must’ve somehow found these rogues–the ones he’d secretly kept tabs on–and used them for whatever stunt he’d planned. Had they recognized Ava as Shadow Creek and grabbed Sophia too?

but

Shit. Shit. SHIT.

If a hair on Sophia’s head got harmed, the Alpha King would personally tear his spine out. Worse, if anyone discovered he’d secretly let some of those rogues escape years ago, his Alpha dreams would vanish faster than morning mist.

For a second, he considered stepping out, telling the Alpha about the caves where those rogues used to den up. But the thought died quick. If he learned about the original plan for Ava…

Gotta fix this myself.

A plan clicked together in his head: beat everyone to the caves, rescue both women, play the hero. Sophia would worship him. And Ava… His mouth curled into a smile. Ava would finally understand where she belonged.

As for Brock–his lip curled, exposing a fang. That problem would solve itself later.

He backed away silently, certain the Alpha’s wolves hadn’t caught his scent. He knew exactly where those rogues would hole up–the same caves from years back, just where the three territories bumped edges.

His muscles coiled, then released as he shot through the forest. Moonlight spilled through leaves, dappling his coat as he ran.

Almost there, Ava. The thought burned like fire in his blood. You’ll be mine again soon enough.

That faded mark on her neck would blaze bright once more. His mark. His property. The way it was meant to be.

1/3

Chapter 97

The hell kind of security team loses two women? The Alpha’s voice stayed deadly quiet, but his energy crushed the air from the room,

The ancient oak table beneath his hands had started to splinter. Warriors twice his size struggled to stand straight, their knees buckling under the weigh his rage. His eyes flashed between storm–cloud gray and molten gold.

Tyler stood nearby, face tight. “Found boot prints near the border. And this.” He tossed something onto the table. Pieces of tribal masks, Witnesses say six, maybe eight attackers. Quick and organized, in and out.”

His finger traced the jagged edge of a mask fragment. “Masked strangers. Taking my daughter. And Rivers. The table cracked another inch.

Wilson shifted his weight, cleared his throat. “Alpha King, if 1 may–Miss Sophia shouldn’t have been in that part of-

“Shut it.” He didn’t even raise his voice, but a stone cup across the room shattered into dust. Everyone flinched, eyes dropping to the floor.

He pinched the bridge of his nose. Lucas was safe–he’d made sure of that. But Sophia and Ava…

Tyler eased closer, sliding a scrap of chewed leather toward him. “Scent this.”

The Alpha lifted it, nostrils flaring. Recognition sparked in his eyes. “The drifter pack. Same ones from that Shadow Creek mess years back.”

“Yep, Tyler nodded. “That hotshot’s operation. He caught some,

but-

“Most got away.” His eyes narrowed to slits. “And now they’ve got my daughter and… His jaw worked. “…and Ava.

“Think he’s mixed up in this?” Tyler asked, watching carefully.

“Don’t know yet. But I want him. Now.”

“Left this morning,” Wilson cut in. “Said it was Shadow Creek business.”

The Alpha stalked to the window, moonlight carving harsh lines across his face. For a moment, something besides rage flickered in his eyes.