Marked Twice by the Alpha King

Ava's POV

I'd been wearing a path in the villa floor for hours. Back and forth, back and forth. The clock on the mantle read ten past ten

Blake said 'tonight. Still no Blake.

My silk nightgown-the practically see-through one-hung off my shoulders like liquid moonlight. Third outfit change tonight. If he didn't show, I was officially pathetic.

The lock clicked.

My heart jumped into my throat as Blake pushed through the door. Moonlight carved out his silhouette, all broad shoulders and lean muscle. Those bloe eyes found me, pupils going wide.

The silk was definitely working.

"Sorry I'm late. His voice carried that bone-deep exhaustion, but his gaze? Pure hunger as it traveled over me. "Delegation dinner went long."

He moved toward me like a predator. Each step made the air thicker. When his hand touched my cheek, I leaned into it, purring like some satisfied cat.

Then I caught it.

A scent that wasn't his. Not pine and leather. Something else entirely-cold and elegant, like moonflowers and mint. Northern. Expensive. Female.

My wolf went on high alert.

"You smell like another woman." No point sugarcoating it.

"Lyra." His fingers were already working the thin straps of my slip. Way too practiced for my liking. "Long night with the delegation.

Lyra. The legendary priestess everyone talked about in hushed whispers. Part of me was dying to know what she looked like.

Blake's palm pressed against my bare shoulder, burning hot. "Shower, he growled, voice dropping to that register that made my knees weak. "Wash everything else away."

The silk whispered to the floor. His eyes went predatory, like he was about to devour me whole.

God, he can make me wet just by looking at me.

Hot water pounded down from the showerhead. Steam filled the small space, making everything hazy and dreamlike. I stood under the spray, water sliding down my skin in warm rivers.

Then his chest pressed against my back.

Skin on skin. I shivered-not from cold.

"Easy, baby," he murmured against my ear. The humid air made his voice even rougher, sexier.

Baby. Heat pooled low in my belly.

His arms came around me. Those big hands started exploring, traveling from my shoulders down to my collarbone, nipples, I couldn't hold back a soft gasp...

How does he turn me into jelly so fast?

wer. When his thumbs circled my

His mouth found my mark. That golden claim on my neck pulsed under his lips. He bit gently, licked slowly. Each touch sent lightning straight down my spine.

*Blake... My voice came out all needy and breathless.

One hand slid lower, across my stomach, between my thighs. Even through the water, his touch burned. When he found that sensitive spot and started stroking, my legs nearly gave out.

When did he get so damn good at this?

"Just want you," he breathed against my ear. I could feel how hard he was, pressing against my lower back. "Only you."

Water sounds mixed with my gasping and his low groans. Steam wrapped around us like a cocoon, shutting out everything else.

When he pushed inside from behind, I nearly cried out. This angle let him go so deep. Every inch stretched me, filled me completely.

He's so big. I can barely-

"Too much, I whispered, biting my lip.

'Perfect," he growled, starting to move. Slow, deep thrusts that hit exactly the right spot every time.

My palms slapped against the cool tiles. Nails digging into grout. Each thrust made stars explode behind my eyes. Water and sweat made us slick as we moved together, chasing that wild, desperate need.noveldrama

His pace picked up. I matched his rhythm, both of us like animals now, all instinct and want.

This is gonna drive me crazy.

'Now we smell like us," he said against my neck.

The orgasm hit like a tidal wave. I shook in his arms as the world shattered. My body clenched around him, milking those final deep thrusts before we both fell over the edge.

Holy hell.

Afterward, he washed me so gently I might've been made of glass. Wrapped me in a fluffy towel, carried me back to bed like I weighed nothing.

Lying in his arms, I listened to his heartbeat slow from racing to steady. His fingers combed through my hair, lips pressing a soft kiss to my forehead.

'Sleep. Tomorrow's busy."

Right. Tomorrow meant Lyra again.

I closed my eyes, drifting off in his warmth. But even in dreams, that cold northern

scent lingered.

Waking up

to Blake still here? Like winning the lottery.

Usually he vanished before dawn, leaving only his faint scent on the pillow. But there he was-lying on his side, one hand under his head, the other resting on my waist. Morning light slanted through the blinds, painting golden stripes across his bronze skin.

Those battle scars stood out more in daylight. They just made him look more dangerous. More perfect.

Even sleeping, this man's unfairly gorgeous.

I couldn't resist tracing one scar across his shoulder blade. The muscle

underneath twitched. He made this low sound in his sleep that went straight to my

core.

His eyes opened slowly, catching me red-handed. That lazy morning smile appeared.

"Morning, wildcat."

Wildcat. I liked that.

"Morning. I kept my voice steady despite my racing heart. 'Didn't expect the Alpha King to slum it in my little villa.

He stretched, sitting up. Those abs in the morning light looked like something carved from marble. I had to look away before I started drooling.

How's it legal to be that ripped?

"Too tired last night," he said simply, running fingers through messy black hair. "Northern Lights has more stuff today."

Right. Lyra. Now that the post-sex fog had cleared, that foreign scent came flooding back.

"That priestess..." I tried to sound casual. “She pretty?"

He turned, something flickering in his eyes. "Very."

No beating around the bush. Just honest, brutal truth.

Should I be pissed or impressed with his honesty?

The answer stung anyway.

"Course she is," I forced a laugh. "Wouldn't be High Priestess material otherwise."

Blake didn't catch the bite in my tone. Already up, hunting for his clothes. Watching him get dressed made something twist in my chest. Once clothed, he'd go back to being the Alpha King with a million responsibilities. "Gonna shower," he said, heading for the bathroom. "You can sleep more."

The water started. I finally let my mask slip, exhaling hard before jumping up and

throwing on clothes. Time to escape to the kitchen.

I needed coffee. Lots of it.

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