Marked Twice by the Alpha King novel Chapter 190

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Third Person POV

“Exactly!” Sophia’s eyes lit up. “The Luna sets the tone for the entire pack. She needs to understand our traditions, our history. What does Ava know about being Luna? Nothing! She didn’t grow up in our pack.”

Lyra was quiet for a moment, processing. Despite her annoyance at being manipulated, she couldn’t help but see Sophia’s genuine concern.

“Look,” she finally said, “I get why you’re worried. But here’s something they don’t teach you in your fancy Silverpeak schools–the Moon Goddess doesn’t make mistakes. Markings don’t happen by accident. If your father and Ava formed a soul bond strong enough for a marking to take, there’s something real there.”

She smoothed down her silver–blue robes. “The mark itself changes things. It creates connections that weren’t there before, deepens what already exists. Whatever brought them together initially doesn’t matter as much as what’s happening

now.”

Tears welled in Sophia’s eyes. “He didn’t even tell me.”

“Maybe he was waiting for the right time,” Lyra shrugged. “Alphas tend to play things close to the chest.

“So what now?” Sophia asked, looking suddenly young and lost. “You’re just… giving up? Going back north?”

Lyra laughed, the sound unexpectedly genuine. “Honey, I’m High Priestess of Northern Lights. I came here for a trade deal worth millions. Did I think your dad was hot? Sure. Would a political match have been convenient? Absolutely. But I’m not about to throw away my dignity or my sacred duties over a man–even if he is the Alpha King.”

She straightened, her robes shimmering in the moonlight. “Besides, my job is to protect sacred bonds, not break them. Going after a marked male would be sacrilege.”

Sophia looked like she’d been slapped. “So that’s it? You’re just going to accept this?”

“As a priestess? Yes.” Lyra’s eyes glittered. “As the daughter of a pack leader, you should know better than anyone- sometimes we sacrifice personal feelings for the good of the pack.”

Sophia’s expression hardened, something cold and determined settling over her features. “No,” she said quietly. “This isn’t over. Not by a long shot.”

Lyra didn’t respond. This wasn’t her fight anymore. But as she watched Sophia’s retreating back, she couldn’t help feeling a twinge of concern. Werewolves were nothing if not protective of their families, and Sophia had just decided Ava was a

threat to hers.

The girl was clearly preparing for war.

Blake’s POV

I finally did it. I told everyone about Ava and me. Weight’s lifted off my shoulders like I can finally breathe again. Wonder if she knows yet? Tyler was supposed to tell her, but haven’t heard back. I want to run to her right now, see her face when she learns she’s officially going to be my Luna. But these Northern Lights folks won’t leave until everything’s signed. Maybe she’s already asleep. My wolf is restless, pacing inside me, wanting his mate.

1/3

Chapter 181: Going Back North

I’d just scrawled my signature on the last Northern Lights document when someone knocked on my study door. Didn’t need wolf senses to know it was Sophia–that mix of designer perfume and anxiety was a dead giveaway. She only wore that particular scent when she was trying to appear more confident than she felt.

“Come in,” I said, tossing my pen onto the desk.

The door creaked open and Sophia slipped in. The warm study lights caught her blonde hair, making it glow like gold. I noticed right away that her eyes were puffy and red–rimmed. She’d been crying. As her father, that hit me right in the gut.

“So,” she said, crossing her arms, “we need to talk about what happened today.”

I motioned to the chair. “Above,

She frowned, perching on the ed was that just for show?”

I’m guessing?”

of the seat like she might need to make a quick escape. “Did you actually mark her, or

“I marked her,” I said, holding her gaze. No point dancing around it. “She’s my fated mate, Soph.

“And about that fight,” she said quietly, suddenly finding my bookshelf fascinating. “Between me and her.”

I leaned forward, elbows on the desk. “You mean when you jumped her in the main hall?”

“She started it,” Sophia said quickly, voice going up an octave. “I was just standing up for myself.”

“Come on, Sophia,” I said, not buying it for a second. “You attacked her, but she didn’t fight back, just because you’re my daughter. You know she’s not someone who can’t fight–she’s actually really skilled.”

“Because she provoked me!” Sophia’s voice cracked. “I was just defending my position as Jackson’s fiancée.”

I took a deep breath, counting to five in my head. “Ever since you found out Jackson and Ava used to be mates, you’ve had it in for her. But I remember when you two got along fine.”

“That was before I knew she’d been lying to my face,” she shot back, eyes flashing gold for a split second. “Both of them

were!”

“Fair enough,” I said, trying a different angle. “But if they both lied, why are you only mad at her? You forgave Jackson pretty damn quick.”