Marked Twice by the Alpha King

Chapter 45: Cut the Caring-about-Sarah Actnoveldrama

Avax pow

Jackson, the opportunistic bastard, jumped tight in "Perfect idea. Why don't you get comfortable in the listing rooms while we sout this nut?

Sarah beamed at him, like her bong the moon, Hoen shuffles off, I waited till her footsteps faded before rounding on him, beeping my voicer for a hissing whisper

What the bell are you playing al

the shrugged, mopping up water with initating precision. "host lending a band to me mate's midler. That a calme now

"Bullshit. You breathe with an agenda." I grabbed a towel to help, batting fine liis sent still sued with my head.

s your angle this time?!

Lackson stopped, those blue eyes locking a mine. Eyes that used to make me dizzy nem just made me want to pranch something. "Maybe I've been thinking about us. About what I threw away."

1 snotted: “Right. After you ditched me for your fancy polical matilage tear thy performance, by the way. Almost believed your loved

His face went dead serious. I never faked anything. The mark doesn't bullshit, Ava

My fingers automatically went to my neck where the mark posed was. His eyes trockent

"Something's different. I can feel it. Smell it on you," he murmured, voice low and strange.

I chucked the wet lag in the sink and stepped back. "You mean the bool you

cropped on go play perfect son in law for Sarah, I'm shouse here."

I could feel his sta

At least t

a predator.

-hell happened to out band?"

left har dead? Nothing happened except you walking out. Now

stare buning boles in my back as I left, but didn't give him the satisfaction of looking back. Whatever game he was rimning, I wasn't playing.

that's what I told myself,

I leaned against the kitchen doonway, as crossed, watching Jackson pull pots and bowls from our cupboards like he owned the damn place. From somewhere, hed conjured a packet of herbs that filled the kitchen with the rich, earthy scent of wolf healing magic. Way more expensive than the Moonlight Spring water Id just destroyed.

"You can go upstairs if you want," he said without turning around, cocky bastand so sure I wouldn't leave. T've got Sarah covered. Not like I'm the one who Just rolled in from someone else's fancy duwen."

That stopped me cold. How the hell did he know? Cosilil he smell Blackwood Manor on me? 1 kept my mouth shait, just watched his every move to make sure he didnt slip anything weird into the food.

Within minutes, an aroma khadn't smelled in forever drifted through the house- tonditional welt comfort soup. The tribe called it "Soul's Embrace," supposedly rased the pain when fated mates got separated, Only elders and bealers knew how to make it right, yet here was Jackson, mixing it like a pro.

I perked into the living room where Sarah sat staring at Dad's photo on the mantle. Her whole holy relaxed as the smell reached her, tension melting off her like ice in summer. When Jackson appeared with a steaming bowl, her eyes actually lit up.

"Is that... Souls Embrace?" she asked, voice tinged with disbelief.

"Fresh made," Jackson said, all gentle and respectful as he sat beside her. Try it, Mrs. Rivers, I added northern cedar needles-should take the edge off for a

I hung back, watching this bizarre scene unfold, trying to figure out his angle. Why the hell was Jackson playing muse to my mom?

Sarah took a sip and practically melted. "God, that s incredible," she whispered. "I can feel him... closer somehow. Like those silver chains loosened a bit

Us temporary," Jackson said, hitting that perfect mix of professional and sympathetic. “But I can teach you how to make it. For the times I'm not around.' He shot me a smug little victory glance over Sarah head. Aushale. He was winning

og her over, and it w was working like a charm.

Dinner went

went weirdly smooth. Jackson playing perfect gentleman while I avoided looking at him directly. Saral actually cleaned her plate for the first time in weeks and even started sharing memories of Dad I hadn't heard in years.

Chapter 45 Cut the Caring about Sarah Act

"When Williams is released, would you consider going back to focusing on your Academy studies full-time?" Sarah suddenly asked, shattering our awkward. peace. Jackson could help arrange better schedules for you,"t

I nearly choked on my water. "I don't need anyone arranging my schedule, Mom, I'm managing both just fine. Plus I've got the Honor Medal now, remember?

"Of course, of course," Jackson chimed in, smooth as butter. "Wea's a natural warrior, Mrs. Rivers. Always finds her path, no matter how rough the terrain. I've always admired that about her."

y stare.

I glared daggers at him, but he just sipped his water with this innocent smile like he couldn't feel the heat of my

After dinner, Jackson actually offered to help Sarah with her bath. This was getting seriously weird-ven when we'd been together, he'd never shown this caring side. My walf paced nervously, just as confused about his game as I was,

He even pulled a tiny bottle of oil from his pocket and handed it to Sarah. "Moon silver pine," he explained, "A few drops in hot water will help your nerves settle. Might even let you get some real sleep for once."

Sarah took the bottle with tears in her eyes. Thank you, Jackson. You're such a good boy. If everyone could see this sale of you..."

"Not everyone needs to," he said softly, but his eyes stid to me. Message received, jackass..

After getting Sarah bathed and tucked in, I dragged myself back downstairs, hoping Jackson had taken the hint and left. But of course, he was lounging on our couch like he owed it, one arm stretched across the hack, wearing that smile I used to love and now wanted to punch off his face.

"Nice performance," I said coldly, staying across the room. "Why not just tell me what you want? Cut the caring-about-Sarah.act."

"Act?" His face went serious in a flash. "You really think I don't care about her pain? She's my mother's age, Ava. Seeing any woman tortured by fated mate separation isn't exactly fun."

"How touching," I said flatly. "If you weren't pulling strings behind the scenes, she wouldn't be suffering in the first place. We both know you had something to do with Dad's arrest."

He sighed and stood, moving toward me. I automatically stepped back, watching him like you'd watch a snake.

"You deserve better, Ava," he said with what sounded like actual sincerity. Evasion to my words. "I know you're angry about my choice. Betrayed. But it was for the greater good. You and I both know sometimes personal feelings have to take a backseat to what's best for the pick."

"Don't feed me that political bullshit," I snapped. "You dumped me and proposed to a woman you don't even love just because she's Blake Morgan's daughter! Do you have any idea how unfair that is to Sophia? She's a good person who shouldn't be used like that!"

Jacksons eyes widened slightly, like he hadn't expected me to defend Sophia. "Sounds like you two got cozy during your time at the Morgan house?"

Chapter Comments

Say what now? He offered to help is ex mother in law with a bath?