Marked Twice by the Alpha King

Ava's POV

id yes 1

to dinner, Blake snapped his fingers at Wilson, "Set a place for our fourth guest. Right at my side."

The second I said

So much for having a choice. Where I'd sit apparently wasn't up for debate.

"Yes, Alpha King." Wilson howed so low I thought he might kiss the floor. When he straightened, his eyes caught mine-pure disapproval thinly masked behind servant neutrality.

My fingers brushed the mark on my neck, the damn thing warming up like a hot penny whenever Blake got within ten feet. This dinner ambush wasn't exactly on my to-do list, but Lucas had turned those poppy-dog eyes on me, and-well, shit. Here I was.

'She's staying! For real!" Lucas bounced like he'd mainlined sugar, grinning so hard it looked painful. "This is gonna be awesome!"

Blake watched him, face locked down tighter than a silver vault. Just another Tuesday in Alpha-land,

Finally someone interesting at our dreary table. Sophia hip-checked her brother playfully. "Come on, squirt. Let's go terrorize

e the for extra food."

hen st

Lucas tore off down the hall with Hunter hot on his heels. Sophia followed with that effortless grace, leaving me alone with the human glacier.

The silence stretched between us like taffy, thick and uncomfortable. I suddenly found my boots fascinating.

"Miss Rivers." His voice cut through the quiet.

I looked up to find those storm gray eyes nailing me to the spot. Predator eyes.

"That seat is reserved for guests of honor," he said flatly.

"I'm just Lucas's combat coach." I Fidgeted with my collar. "Not exactly royal material."

Blake stepped closer, and the air instantly went thick with Alpha energy, making my knews waver. "In my house, I decide who deserves respect."

My mark flared hot, gold threads pulsing under my skin. My wolf wanted to roll over and show throat. I told it to shut up.

"You've done more for my son than anyone, be continued, voice cool and even "That earns you a place."

I stood there blinking, caught off-guard. "Just doing what you're paying me for."

His eyes narrowed slightly. "No. You're not.

Something in his tone sent my pulse skittering. Not exactly praise, but... recognition?

My heart hammered against my ribs. Why did he affect me like this? What sick cosmic joke made my mate-rejection mark respond to this man?

"Don I overthink dinner," Blake said, eyes still locked on mine. Lucas wants you

The mention of Lucas reset my brain. The kid deserved a few hours of normal. If that meant surviving a meal with his ice-block father, so be it.

"Fine," I muttered, "Next time, ask first."

"I don't ask, Miss Rivers. I decide. He jerked his head toward the dining room. "This way."

I bit back a retort and followed him, focusing on keeping my breathing steady as his scent-pine and rain and something untamed-wrapped around me.

The dining room knocked the wind right out of me. Actual moonlight crystals dripped from chandeliers overhead, their glow casting silver shadows across the kind of table that could seat a small army. Generations of Morgan Alphas stared down from portraits, their eyes following me like I was trespassing. Which, honestly, I was.

Lucas and Sophia were already seated, twin expressions of anticipation as we entered. Blake took his Alpha-throne at the head, and my spot-sure enough- waited at his right hand.

Chapter 41 Right Al My Side

"Come on!" Lucas smacked the chair next to him. "Hurry up! Wilson said we're getting ribs tonight and they're gonna be bloody!"

I slid into my seat, hyperaware of Blake watching my every move with those unreadable yes. When I finally settled, he sank into his chair with that fluid power that came so naturally to him-like he was born knowing how to intimidate just by existing.

Wilson materialized with a pack of servers in tow, First came some fancy soup that smelled like a midnight forest—–Moonlight Herb, apparently. One whiff and my senses sharpened to knife-point, picking up heartbeats and breathing patterns I'd never have noticed before.

"Fresh picked three days before full moon, Sophia explained, taking a delicate sip. "Our harvesters track the lunar cycle religiously."

Blake watched me over his spoon. "First time?"

"Shadow Creek's more salt-of-the-earth," I tasted the soup, fighting to keep my face neutral as flavors exploded across my tongue. "We're not big on fancy herbs,

"Morgan bloodlines have traded with the North for centuries," he said, voice flat but eyes tracking my every reaction. These herbs don't grow in our territory."

Main course arrived-ribs so rare they practically mood, glistening red and smelling of iron and earth, Vegetables on the side shimmered with silver leaf oil that made my skin tingle just being near it.

cost more than I made in a month. He

Jaltake poured himself something that looked like liquid garnets-Blood Moon wine, an Alpha-only indulgence that cost

paused, then glanced at me, "Want some?"

"Water s fine." No way was I getting buzzed in the lion's den.

Sophia cocked her head. "You're passing on Blood Moon? It's practically sacred."

"Still on Lucas's clock," I said, tapping the table. "Need my reflexes." Blake studied me. "Smart,"

Lucas piped up, mouth already smeared with rib sauce. “Dad, can we go hiking this weekend? You promised ages ago!” Blake's knife paused mid-cut, his face giving nothing away. "We'll see."

"That means no," Lucas muttered, stabbing a vegetable.

Dinner drifted forward, Lucas chattering about random kid stuff. Sophia making occasional wedding comments, Blake watching-with those penetrating eyes that seemed to see straight through my skin.

e mostly silent but watching-always

By the time some fancy strawberry dessert arrived, I was stuffed to bursting. Every bite had carried wolf magic that normal food never contained, leaving my body humming with energy-

"You have your own place in Shadow Creek, right?" Sophia asked, expertly changing the subject.

"Yeah," I nodded. "With my foster mons. Shes... struggling since Dad was locked

up."

The air thickened. Blake set his glass down, face entirely unreadable.

"Your father's case isn't closed," he said, voice low but clear. "The investigation continues. Nothing is final."

His words hit me like a physical blow. A tiny thread of hope I hadn't allowed myself to feel. Was he actually looking into Dad's case?

“Thank you,” I managed, voice embarrassingly tight. “That means everything.

Blake gave a si

single, sharp nod, Lucas started drooping despite his best efforts to keep his eyes open.

"Bedtime, ruh," Sophia said gently. School waits for no wolf."

"But Avas still here!" h

he protested through a massive yown.

"Shell be back tomorrow, Blake voice brooked no argument, though it softened

around the edges. "Listen to your sister."

The kids shoulders slumped, but then he launched himself at me, wrapping me in

a hug that nearly toppled my chair. "Gnight,

1. ht. Aval Se

See you tomorrow,

Chapter 41: Right At My Side

right?

My hands hovered awkwardly before settling on his hack. "Count on it, kiddo. Rest up-tomorrow I'm not going easy on you."

grinned sleepily and shuffled after Sophia, leaving me alone with Blake.

"I should head out, I stood, suddenly deeply aware of being alone with him. Thanks for dinner. It was... intense."

Blake rose to his full height, towering without even trying. Tyler will drive you. These woods aren't safe after dark."

Not a request. Not even close. Just Blake Morgan deciding how the world would work tonight. Weirdly, it didn't piss me off this time.

"Thanks," I mumbled, heading for the door.

I felt him behind me, his presence like a physical force at my back, his eyes

burning into me with each step. At the hall entrance, I couldn't help looking back, finding his gaze still fixed on me-intense, unblinking, filled with something I couldn't name and wasn't sure I wanted to

Chapter Comments

Tracy Gordon

what happened to treating jer wounds? souch for getting an infection and fever inoveldrama

guess

These 2 are honestly just getting annoying and dragged out.