Marked Twice by the Alpha King

Blake's POV

I stepped out of the Hayes medical foom, leaving Ava to gather herself.

"Guard her with your life, I mindlinked to Tyler, who stood just outside the door. 'I'm dealing with the Hayes family now. Anyone tries to get to her, ve have my permission to use whatever force necessary."

Tyler's subtle nod was all I needed. Centuries of pack politics had taught me to read even the smallest signals from my second. His stance shifted slightly- weight forward, shoulders squared. Message received.

And Tyler-arrange for a vehicle. We're taking her home today."

Lucas's words from before I left Blackwood echoed in my head: "You promised to bring her back, Dad. You swore. The desperation in his voice had knocked the wind out of me. My son, who barely opened up to anyone, had attached himself to Ava like she was the moon to his tide.

I headed down the ostentatious marble corridor toward the main hall, my mind cycling through Hayes family transgressions over the years. Richard's political maneuvering. Martha's poisonous influence. Jackson's betrayal of Ava. A family rotten to the core, willing to use anyone-oven my daughter-as pawns in their power games.

Sarah Rivers complicated things. I'd just learned she'd taken a blood oath to stay with the Hayes family-technically not my problem, but Ava loved her. And that made her my concern, whether I liked it or not.

I understood loyalty to family. Hell, I'd burn the world down for Lucas or Sophia. But the Hayes family would use Sarah's devotion to William like a weapon -both against her and Ava. The thought of either of them suffering twisted my gut in a way that surprised me.

As I approached the grand hall, I heard Richard's fake-cordial tone easily identifiable through the heavy doors, entertaining what sounded like visiting officials. Perfect. Witnesses to his humiliation.

My wolf surged forward as I pushed open the double doors, catching Richard mid-sentence. His face went slack when he spotted me, color draining faster than water down a drain.

Alpha King Morgan, he stammered, rising quickly.

"Clear the room," I cut him off, not even glancing at his guests. "Now."

The visitors couldn't scramble out fast enough. Martha appeared from'a side door, her practiced smile failing to hide her nervousness.

The fireplace crackled in the Hayes mansion's grand hall, the only sound brave enough to break the tension. My wolf clawed under my skin, itching for a fight. Richard and Martha huddled together across from me like deer caught in headlights, their shadows dancing nervously against the tribal totems behind

them.

"Ava's coming back to Blackwood with me." No fancy greeting, no bullshit. "Lucas needs his trainer, and I need her safe."

Richard's face dropped like he'd been punched. His eyes darted to Martha-his go-to move whenever he was in over his head.

Martha stepped up, flashing that plastic smile that never reached her eyes. "Blake, we absolutely understand, but Ava's already started with our young warriors. We've set up-

"Cut the crap. I didn't raise my voice. Didn't have to. "We both know that instructor job was never real. You sold them a fantasy to get what you wanted."

Her smile twitched at the corners. Busted.

I nodded to Tyler, who'd been standing quietly by the door. "Go help Ava pack. Fifteen minutes.

Tyler slipped out without a word. I turned back to the Hayes power couple, letting my eyes shift just enough to flash wolf-gold. Martha took a half-step

back.

About Sarah Rivers, I rolled my shoulders, feeling my joints pop. "I get why she's staying. Loyalty's a hell of a thing. But hear this-I'm only saying it once.

I closed the distance between us. Richard's cologne couldn't hide the sour scent of his fear.

"If Sarah gets so much as a paper cut under your care, if you put her in anything less than the plush setup you promised..." I leaned in, watching xa hard Adam's apple bob. "I won't just cut ties with Shadow Creek. I'll erase it."

" 'Alpha King, I assure you- Richard started, voice cracking.

I held up a finger, shutting him down mid-sentence. "Your son wants to be Alpha? Depends on how you treat Sarah. Want Sophia as your daughter in law Same deal.

Richard nodded so hard I thought his head might fall off. Sweat beaded along his hairline. "My word as pack leader-Sarah will have everything we promised. Top medical advisor, full privileges, the works."

I thought of Lucas, how lost he'd looked these past days. How he'd asked for Ava every morning, how he'd made that little wooden wolf figure for her. The kid missed her like a limb, and I couldn't bear to see him hurting anymore. It made what I was about to do next all the easier.

"Funny thing about promises." I scratched my jaw, feeling stubble from too many sleepless nights. "They don't mean shit coming from people who break them. Remember what happens to wolves who betray an Alpha King's blood oath?" Martha's breath hitched. Even she wasn't stupid enough to miss that warning. "Crystal clear,” she whispered, fingers fidgeting with her necklace. "I'll watch over Sarah personally."

I looked between them, letting the silence stretch uncomfortably. Martha was a master manipulator, but her son had inherited her worst qualities. I briefly wondered if Sarah truly understood what she was getting herself into, staying among these wolves. The stubborn Rivers woman reminded me of Ava-fierce loyalty wrapped in quiet strength. If anyone could survive here, it was her.

"Good chat. Because next time won't be a conversation. Shadow Creek will just... disappear." I tapped my fingers against my thigh. “We understanding each

other?"

The fear rolling off them was answer enough. I could practically see Richard calculating the cost of crossing me versus keeping his word. Bad math either way for him.

"Perfect, I turned to leave, then stopped. "Oh yeah-tell Jackson his fiancée might get cranky hearing how her future mother-in-law treated her brother's favorite person. Sophia's got pull in Silverpeak. Marriage doesn't mean you get your fingers in my pack."noveldrama

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