Marked Twice by the Alpha King

Blake's POV

Walking toward the main hall, I tried to wrestle my focus away from Ava's scent still clinging to my clothes, the ghost of her touch burning on my skin, My body ached with need, every step reminding me what I'd been forced to walk away from.

Damn Northern Lights and their timing.

When did I become this? The thought hit me as I rounded the corner. When did I become a man who'd rather stay buried in a woman than handle pack

business?noveldrama

But this wasn't just any woman. This was Ava-stubborn, fierce, the one person who looked at me like I was more than just a crown and a title. The woman who'd taken silver claws for my son, who'd walked back into her ex's territory to save her family.

Several fancy carriages waited outside, their sides carved with moon phases that caught the afternoon light. Northern Lights work-you could spot it from a mile away.

Tyler straightened when he saw me coming.

"They're settled in the east wing," he said, falling into step beside me. "The High Priestess asked about your schedule."

I raised an eyebrow. "My schedule?"

'She wants to know when she can... meet with you privately." Tyler's face stayed carefully blank. "Very polite about it."

Of course she did. I'd heard the stories about Northern Lights priestesses- beautiful, powerful, used to getting whatever they wanted. Looked like Lyra Starlight was no different.

I straightened my shirt, making sure nothing from earlier showed, then pushed through the heavy doors.

Sophia's voice hit me before I'd taken two steps into the hall.

"You have to teach me that prayer thing! I've been trying forever but I can't get it right! Maybe you could show me with your hands?"

Christ. My daughter had found a new obsession, and like always, she was about as subtle as a freight train. I needed to step in before she scared our guests back north.

The hall was set up perfectly-my guards along one wall, their people along the other, enough space to show respect without looking paranoid. A few delegates sat on the expensive couches I'd had brought in, while Sophia bounced around a woman who had to be the famous priestess.

Even sitting down, Lyra Starlight owned the room.

Silver hair fell over one shoulder in some complicated braid, catching light like it was made of actual moonbeams. Purple eyes-weird even for werewolves- took in everything with the confidence of someone who knew she was the most important person around. Her robes shifted between silver and blue as she moved, expensive silk that fit like it was painted on.

But it wasn't her looks that got me. It was the way she carried herself-like someone who'd been worshipped her whole life, who expected everyone to drop what they were doing just to look at her.

"Sophia." I didn't raise my voice, but the whole hall went quiet anyway.

She spun around, face flushed with excitement. "Dad! Look, Priestess Lyra's gonna teach me-

1

"Give our guests some breathing room," I said, moving to her side and putting a

hand on her shoulder. "They've been

get pestered by an overeager kid."

'ing all day. They need rest, not to.

I caught the relief in Lyra's eyes and knew I'd called it right. A few of h

people had been trading looks that said my daughter's enthusiasm was getting

old

fast.

I was just trying to... Sophia's voice got smaller.

I know what you were trying to do. But now's not the time. I softened my tone a

bit. "Go check on Lucas, See if he needs anything

She nodded and hurried out, but I caught her look back at the door-hurt, but with something else lurking underneath. That look made me the var mental note to keep an eye on whatever she might be cooking up.

Lyra stood up with the kind of grace that looked practiced, like she knew everyone would be watching. As she walked over, I noticed she moved like someone, who expected to be stared at, who knew every gesture would be analyzed and admired.

"Alpha King Morgan. Her voice had this hypnotic quality, almost musical. "Finally meeting the legendary Wolf King."

Instead of the usual pack greeting, she stuck out her hand. I noticed her fingers were long and elegant, with a ring that looked like real moonstone

"Priestess Lyra." I took her hand, noticing how warm her skin was, how she held on just a beat too long. "Welcome to Silverpeak.

Just Lyra, please." Her smile was picture-perfect. People like us don't need all the fancy titles, do we?"

Interesting. Most people meeting me for the first time showed some respect for rank. But she looked at me like an equal-or maybe like she was sizing something she might want to buy.

'You're younger than people said," she went on, finally letting go of my hand but keeping that direct eye contact. "And better looking

The comment was bold, said loud enough for everyone to hear, including her own people.

“People talk too much," I replied, then turned to James Walker, their chief negotiator

James was what a diplomat should be polite, professional, smart enough to know when to talk and when to shut up.

"You should've gotten our updated proposals," he said, cutting to business. "We're happy you're interested."

'Silverpeak's always open to working with the right partners," I nodded. "Tomorrow we can hash out the details."

Good. James knew how to handle negotiations without making things weird. But I could feel Lyra's eyes on me the whole time, looking me up and down like she was taking inventory.

"If you've got time tonight, I'd like to show you around, I offered. "Give you a better feel for what we bring to the table."

疫

"Sounds great,” James agreed right away. "We're all curious to see møre."

"I'm really interested in your private training areas," Lyra jumped in, her voice carrying hints I couldn't quite read. "Word is the Alpha King's fighting skills are something special."

The evening tour went exactly like I'd expected-and completely different at the same time.

Usually during these diplomatic visits, attention gets spread around evenly, Tonight felt off.