Marked Twice by the Alpha King

Blake's POV

Three in the morning. Still stuck in my study, surrounded by every damn piece of evidence we had on William Rivers' case. I'd read each page at least ten times, could recite every witness statement by heart. But we were still missing the smoking gun that would clear his name completely.

I rubbed my temples. Felt like someone was taking a sledgehammer to the back of my skull. The herbal tea on my desk had gone cold hours ago-fourth cup? Fifth? I'd lost count. Sent Tyler to bed two hours back, told him he'd be useless tomorrow if he didn't get some sleep.

I should probably crash too.

But every time I closed my eyes, I saw Ava's face when she left. That look of disappointment and hurt, like someone had stuck a knife straight through my chest. I'd sent her to the northern villa to 'rest," made it sound like I was doing her a favor. Truth was, I was just a coward.

Scared to see the doubt in her eyes. Scared she'd ask me what the hell was going on with Lyra. Scared to admit I was drowning in politics and couldn't even find enough evidence to clear her father's name.

The files on my desk might as well have been laughing at me. Alpha King? What a joke. Keeping William alive was the best I could manage. Actually proving his innocence? We couldn't even nail down who the real killer was.

I got up, walked to the window. Silverpeak looked peaceful in the darkness. My territory, my people, my responsibility. But right now I wanted to dump all of it and run to that villa, pull Ava into my arms, tell her how much I missed her.

Get real, Morgan. You're a mess. What've you got to offer her?noveldrama

Seven o'clock brought Tyler with hot tea and a simple breakfast. He took one look at the disaster zone that was my desk, then at what must've been my equally disastrous appearance. Didn't say a word, just set the tea within reach.

"Boss, that witness changed his story again last night." His report came out flat. 'Says he got the timing wrong."

I let out a bitter laugh. "Course he did. Jackson's been busy."

"That's the third one." Tyler dropped into the chair across from me, looking like he'd tasted something rotten. "Every lead we managed to dig up, they're finding ways to bury it."

My hands clenched into fists. We had the silver container, blood analysis, drug residue-everything pointed to William being set up. But none of it could nail the real culprit.

"Damn it.' I pressed my palms against my eyes. "We can prove William got screwed over, but we can't catch the bastard who did it. And now even the witnesses who could clear him are backing down."

"Jackson's got more pull in Shadow Creek than we thought." Tyler's voice went quiet. "His old man Richard spent years building connections. Now they're all working for Jackson."

We need a new angle. Tyler paused. “Or..."

'Or what?"

'Or we go straight at Jackson. We both know he did it, even without hard proof."

I shook my head. "No evidence means he'll just get more careful. Plus with Sophia and him..."

I didn't finish, but Tyler got it. My daughter was still floating on cloud nine,

completely wrapped up in this romance. If I went after Jackson now, she'd think I was getting revenge over the Ava situation.

"When did family stuff get so damn complicated?" I laughed, but there wasn't any humor in it.

"Boss... Tyler looked like he wanted to say more.

Spit it out.

This guilt trip you're on isn't helping anyone." He met my eyes dead-on. 'You already saved William's life. Ava'll understand."

"Yeah, she'll understand." My voice came out tired. 'But I can't forgive myself. I'm supposed to be the Alpha King, running the whole werewolf world-cent even give the woman I love a straight answer."

Eight-thirty brought the first meeting. Northern Lights trade talks-should've been James Walker's show, but Lyra insisted on joining. She'd dressed the part today, silver-blue business outfit, hair twisted into some complicated updo. Professional and elegant.

Two hours of forcing myself to focus on lumber quotas and shipping routes. But Lyra kept steering things toward more 'personal' territory.

"Blake, I think we should discuss longer-term cooperation." After everyone else left, she made sure to stick around. "Not just trade. Political alliance.

"Lyra," I tried staying polite, "our trade negotiations are almost

She moved closer, way too close for professional conversation. "But

1. up. Think that's plenty for now,"

ke, we both know real power comes from deeper connections."

I stepped back. "Not sure I follow."

Course I followed. I wasn't blind.

"I mean, her eyes held calculating gleam, "people like us should consider

something more lasting. We could build the strongest political alliance in werewolf history.

"Lyra," I went for direct, "need to tell you-I've already got emotional commitments."

Her expression went ice-cold for a split second before the smile returned. "That Shadow Creek girl? Blake, you sure that's not just a passing thing?"

My fists tightened without permission. “That's not your concern."

“As a friend, I'm naturally concerned." Her tone got more intimate. "And from what

I hear, you two have been having some... distance issues lately?"

How the hell did she know that? My face must've given something away, 'cause Lyra's smile got more smug.

"Blake, powerful men need equally powerful women. Don't you think?"

I took a deep breath, fighting to keep my temper. "Lyra, I respect you and value

the relationship between Northern Lights and Silverpeak. But my private life isn't part of these negotiations."

'Of course not." She nodded, but the ambition in her eyes was crystal clear. "I just want you to know I'll be here when you figure things out."

After she left, I sat alone in that meeting room feeling like I'd just gone ten rounds with a heavyweight. Lyra was smart, beautiful, definitely the logical choice for a political alliance. Any sensible Alpha King would seriously consider her offer.

But I didn't want a political marriage. I wanted to wake up every morning to Ava's smile. Wanted to watch her focus when she trained Lucas. Wanted that fire in her eyes when she challenged me.

So why'd you push her away?

Afternoon brought a visit to Sophia's room. Found her sitting at her vanity,

carefully applying nail polish in a deep red shade. When she saw me in the

mirror, she paused mid-stroke, quickly capping the/bottle.

'Dad? Something wrong?"