Marked Twice by the Alpha King

Ava's POV

His nose skimmed along my jaw, and I felt him breathing me in like he was trying to memorize every inch. God, the way he did that-so possessive, so claiming. It made my knees weak every damn time.

His breath was warm against my ear, sending shivers down my spine that I couldn't control. I should've pushed him away. Should've demanded answers about that photo with Lyra. But my body? Yeah, it had other plans.

Before I knew what I was doing, I wrapped one leg around his waist, pressing against him. I could feel how hard he was through his clothes, and it made me bold. Made me want to see just how much I could make him lose it.

"You're playing with fire," his voice came out rough, eyes flashing gold. "My patience isn't endless."

I didn't say anything back. Just stared into those blue-gold eyes, watching them shift. The want there was so obvious it made something twist in my chest. Good. Let him want me.

I told myself this was just to prove something. That whatever happened with Lyra was nothing. But the second his mouth crashed into mine, all those thoughts scattered.

We went at each other like we were starving. Clothes hitting the floor, hands everywhere. When his fingers found bare skin, I gasped, all that hurt and anger melting into something hotter.

"You drive me completely crazy," he growled against my neck. "Make me lose my mind."

Hearing that from him-Blake Morgan, Alpha King, the guy who controlled everything-made me feel powerful in a way I'd never experienced.

He lifted me like I weighed nothing, and I wrapped around him, letting him carry me to the bed. I was already soaked, desperate for him. When he finally pushed inside, I let out this sound-half relief, half need.

We moved together hard and fast, the bed creaking under us. His hands were everywhere, marking me up, making me his. could feel his wolf right under the surface, fighting for control.

"Mine," he said against my throat, voice all growly and wrecked. "You're mine."

Part of me wanted to argue with that possessive bullshit. But another part-the part that was arching into his touch, begging for more-loved it.

He was shaking, holding back, and I could see the struggle in his golden eyes. At the last second, he pulled back, just breathing hard beside me.

The room was quiet except for our ragged breathing. I stared at the ceiling, my head spinning. What the hell had I just done? Hours ago I was crying over that photo, and now...

"I gotta go." Blake was already moving, grabbing his clothes. "Northern Lights meeting."

He dressed so fast it was like someone hit fast-forward. Like the guy who'd just been falling apart in my arms was someone else entirely

"Blake- I started.

Chapter 166: Burn for You

Later he cut me off, but his voice was gentler than expected. Il explain everything, I swear. Just not now.

He kissed my forehead-so soft it made my chest ache-then he was gone.

"Wait, back up." Ella was stirring her coffee way too aggressively "You saw Blake kissing Miss Perfect Priestess, got pissed, slapped him, and then you guys...?”

I groaned, burying my face in my hands. "Don't make it sound worse than it already is."

"Honey, that's not worse. That's your mark working." She set down her spoon, giving me that look. "Your wolf knows who she belongs to."

"But that doesn't make sense!" I threw my hands up. "Jackson's mark made me feel like I was dying when he chose Sophia. Why would Blake supposedly cheating make me want to jump his bones?"

Ella went quiet, which never happened. "Maybe," she said finally "your wolf knows what's real and what's bullshit."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"Jackson's mark hurt because it was fake from the start. He never wanted you- just used the bond. But Blake..." She shrugged. “Maybe trust your gut instead of some photo that could mean anything."

I poked at my muffin, thinking. Blake's mark did feel different. Made me feel strong instead of broken. Safe instead of

scared.

"Plus," Ella grinned, "any guy who can make you forget your problems in bed? That's worth keeping around."

"Ella!"

"What? I'm just saying." She checked her watch. "Don't you have to teach the mini Alpha?"

Right. Lucas. I grabbed my stuff, trying to shake off the confusion.

"And Ava?" Ella called as I headed for the door. "Your secrets are safe with me."

Blackwood Manor was buzzing when I got there. Fancy carriages everywhere, people in silver robes hauling around boxes that literally glowed. The whole place smelled like winter and magic-definitely Northern Lights.

"Ava!" Lucas practically tackled me. "You're late! Look what they brought!"

He was bouncing on his toes, pointing at everything like Christmas morning. "Real moonlight grass! Th your first shift not hurt!"

I ruffled his messy hair. "Pretty cool, huh? Ready for today's lesson?"

id it makes

"Yeah, but we gotta stay inside. Dad's got some super important meeting." His voice dropped to a whisper. "The High Priestess is here. Her eyes are purple!"

Chapter 166: Burn for You

Great. Just what I needed.

Training went better than expected. Lucas was focused, asking smart questions about moon phases and werewolf strength. Maybe being around actual Northern Lights people was inspiring him..

"After Tyler came to get Lucas, I decided to grab my notebook from the study. That's when I heard voices from the training

field.

I stopped, peering through the window like some creepy stalker

Blake stood in the middle of the field, surrounded by the delegation. He looked good-shirt sleeves rolled up, all casual authority. But the woman next to him made my stomach drop.

Lyra Starlight.noveldrama

Holy hell. The photos didn't do her justice. Silver hair that caught light like it was made of actual moonbeams. Purple eyes that looked like deep water. Skin so pale it was almost see-through. She moved like liquid grace, and her hand-her damn hand-was resting on Blake's arm like she owned it.

My wolf went ballistic. I felt this growl building in my chest before I could stop it. Everyone turned.

The whole field went dead quiet. A dozen pairs of eyes staring at me-some surprised, some amused, some just plain curious. Blake looked shocked, then something more complicated. But Lyra? She tilted her head, those purple eyes calculating, mouth curving into this tiny smile.

"Oh," she said, voice like silk over steel. "Are we interrupting something?" Chapter Comments