Marked Twice by the Alpha King novel Chapter 40

Chapter 40: All Bark, Inner Softness

Blake POV

did.

I leaned against the stair railing, my eyes glued to Awa as she headed for the door. Sophia’s blue top hugged her body in ways her combat gear never di highlighting curves I’d been trying not to notice. My wolf didn’t share my reservations, practically drooling at the sight.

Jesus, pull yourself together.

Moonlight caught her as she crossed the hall, turning her into a silver–edged silhouette that kicked my memory into overdrive. The carriage ride. Her hands, exploring my chest. Her mouth hot against my neck. Back then she had drugs as an excuse–what the hell was mine?

Five more steps and she’d be gone. Problem solved. Life returns to normal. My rational side knew this was the right play, but my wolf had other ideas, throwing a full–blown tantram at the thought of her walking away.

“Ava.” My voice came out like gravel over glass. “Stop.”

I hadn’t meant to use the Alpha command, but it slipped out anyway. She froze mid–stride, her body going rigid. The mark on her neck lit up with that strange golden glow the moment I got closer, like it knew something she didn’t,

When she turned, those green eyes flashed with a challenge that hit me harder than any submission ever could

“Need something else?” No sir” or “Alpha‘ tacked on. Just Ava being Ava.

I took the last few stairs, closing in until her scent hit me in waves–wildflowers after rain, steel, fresh blood, and a trace of Sophia’s perfume. The mix went straight to my head like good whiskey.

“Those claw marks need proper treatment.” I fought to keep my voice level. “Alpha wounds don’t heal like regular scratches. They eat away at your healing magic. You’ll be feverish before you hit the main road.”

She tipped her chin up, that tiny rebellion making my wolf pace faster. Tve patched up worse with less.”

I stepped closer, catching how her breath hitched. That borrowed top showed off curves her usual gear concealed, her chest rising and falling in a rhythm that made focusing on words nearly impossible.

“Not asking.” I let my Alpha energy seep into my tone. “As your boss and the guy whose kid sliced you open, I’m telling you to stay and get fixed up.”

Something fierce flashed in her eyes when a voice cut through our standoff

“Ava! You’re leaving?”

Lucas barreled in from the gardens with Hunter trotting behind. My son’s face went from excited to deer–in–headlights when he spotted me. His eyes darted between us, taking in Ava’s new clothes, putting the pieces together.

“You ratted me out?” Has voice crocked, eyes getting glassy.

Heat surged through me. “Lucas Morgan,” I growled, the sound rumbling up from my chest, since when do we keep secrets from our Alpha?”

My son’s shoulders hunched as he stared at the floor. Before I could really lay into him, Ava did the unthinkable–she physically stepped between us, placing herself as a barrier protecting my son from me.

“Don’t blame him,” she said, calm but unmovable. “My training methods screwed up. I didn’t see his emotions spiking before the claws come out. That’s on

I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. Nobody gets between an Alpha and his kid it’s pack low written in blood. Yet here stood this Shadow Creek with her tejection mark, doing exactly that.

As future Alpha, he needs to learn=” | started.

warrior

“He a seven, Blake.” She cut me off, using my name like we were equals “Seven. With Alpha blood making him feel like he’s being ripped apart from the inside. He needs someone in his corner, not another lecture,”

My woll should’ve been furious at the challenge, but instead it perked up, intrigued Watching her shield Lucas, I suddenly saw Elizabeth standing there instead my wife had done the same thing countless times, putting herself between my anger and little Sophia.

processing this, Hunter–my sons wolf–dog–sidled up to Wa and pressed against her leg like they were old friends.

Her face softened as she ruffled his hair, a gesture so natural and warm that it made my chest ache. When was the last time it touched my son like that? | realized with a jolt that Ava might understand him in ways I’d failed to.

Footsteps on the stairs broke the moment, Sophia descended, beaming like she’d just won the lottery.

“Dad!” She practically skipped over. The necklace is perfect! That sapphire looks even better with the new setting!”

I nodded, forcing my attention away in

Her words reminded me of my complicated feelings about this match. While Jackson as Shadow Creek fiature Alpha made him an ideal political choice, something about him left me unable to fully trust him. After all, he had betrayed Ava. I wasn’t sure whether that was good or bad; still, Sophia had chosen him, and the alliance benefited both packs.

I looked from my son to Awa, who was nibbling her lower lip, clearly uncomfortable. That blue top clung to her in ways that made looking directly at her dangerous territory.