Marked Twice by the Alpha King novel Chapter 19

Chapter 19

Ava’s POV

Jackson sat on our worn sofa like he owned the place, that fake smile plastered on his face as he turned toward me. My mark burned the second I saw him– the familiar knife–in–the–neck pain I’d gotten used to since he’d kicked me to the curb.

But what really twisted the knife was Mom’s face. She was smiling for the first time since Dad had been dragged away to Shadow Creek prison. Her eyes shone with something I hadn’t seen in weeks–hope.

“Ah, Ava, you’re home, Mom said, her smile widening as she gestured toward Jackson. “Look who’s come to visit us. He’s been telling me that he can help get William released if you’ll just cooperate with him.”

Talk about a low blow. This snake had slithered straight to my vulnerable mother, making me look like the bad guy standing in the way of Dad’s freedom. Feeding her just enough truth to pull her strings, but conveniently skipping the part where I’d have to warm his bed behind Sophia’s back.

I was dead on my feet–wiped out from training Lucas, emotionally drained from everything with Blake and that Blood Oath contract. The last thing I needed was Jackson’s mind games.

My hand went to my neck where the mark throbbed. I crossed my arms tight, like I could build a wall between us.

“What is he doing here, Mom?” I asked, my voice tight as a drum.

Sarah’s smile dropped, her brow furrowing. “Is that any way to speak about a guest? I didn’t raise you to be rude, Ava. Jackson has always been a friend to our family. He’s your fated mate, and now he’s offering help when we need it most. You should show him more respect.”

I pressed my lips into a thin line, fingers finding the changing mark on my neck. “Do I need to remind you that we broke up?” I asked coldly, looking between Jackson and my mother.

“That doesn’t mean you can’t still be friends,” Sarah replied, her voice taking on that mom–knows–best tone. “He could be the next Alpha of Shadow Creek. He deserves our respect regardless.”

Jackson stood up, his eyes flashing amber–a warning sign my wolf couldn’t miss.

“I apologize for dropping by unannounced,” he said, his smile faker than a three–dollar bill as he looked at me. “I was just hoping for a quick chat with you.”

The anger and jealousy rolled off him in waves, cutting through his expensive cologne. My wolf wanted to be anywhere but near him.

“Not happening, Jackson,” I said coldly, turning on my heel and heading for the stairs. All I wanted was my bedroom, to process the day’s chaos at Blackwood Manor.

I climbed the stairs hugging myself, the mark on my neck flip–flopping between burning pain and weird warmth. As I pushed open my bedroom door, a hand shoved against my back, sending me stumbling inside. The door slammed shut, and I spon around, eyes flashing silver–gray, ready to throw down.

“What the fuck are you doing in my room, Jackson?” I snarled, keeping my voice low enough that Mom wouldn’t hear us.

“Funny, I should be the one asking questions,” he shot back, voice dripping with bitterness. “What’s your game, playing all cozy with Blake Morgan?”

My eyebrows shot up, shock turning to anger faster than a match to gasoline. “How’s that any of your business? Aren’t you the one wearing matching jewelry with his daughter? That Eternal Loyalty‘ wolf ring must have cost a pretty penny.”

“You really think jumping into bed with the Alpha King will get daddy out of jail?” Jackson sneered. “If you think he sees you as anything but a quick roll in the hay, you’re kidding yourself.

“Notice anything different about my mark?” I asked, deliberately poking the bear. “Those golden threads? Even you know what that means.”

Jackson: face darkened like a storm cloud. He stepped toward me, eyes fully wolfed out as anger poured off him. I backed up a step, not wanting him in my bubble, but refused to show fear.

Word on the street is Blake was high as a kite on moon shadow dust that day,” he said, voice low and dangerous. “You must have taken advantage.”

“Are you out of your mind?” I asked, narrowing my eyes. ‘I didn’t do jack!”

‘Save the innocent act, Ava. I see right through you. I know exactly what makes you tick, what you’d do for family, even if it means spreading your legs. Why not just take my offer and call it a day?”

R

“Because I won’t be your side piece, Jackson,” I hissed. “It’s a slap in the face to everyone, including Sophia. Don’t you give a damn about her? How can you ask this of me knowing it would crush her?”

He rolled his eyes. “Don’t act like you care about her, he shot back.