Marked Twice by the Alpha King

Chapter 51: Warm Cape

Ava's POV

I never thought Blake would personally drive me home

When dinner at Moonlight Lodge wrapped up and Blake said Tyler would take Jackson and Sophia back to Blackwood Manor, I caught fear flash PICTOSS Jacksons face. For all his tough guy act, he turned into a scared puppy in front of the real Alpha King.

Now I sat in Blake's fancy carriage with Silverprak wolf designs everywhere. Moonlight poured through the windows between us. Since dinner, Blake had barely said a word. He just sat there like a rock, stealing glances at me with those stormy eyes before quickly looking away.

The silence was getting under my skin more e than any awkward conversation would

You really didn't need to do this," I finally broke the quiet. "I can handle myself.”

Blake's eyes locked on mine. "Walking alone before a full moon? Even the best fighters shouldn't mess with that."

Dangers nothing new to o me," I said, though part of me was actually grateful. The night before full moon always brought out the crazy wolves, especially

near the northern woods..

"Just because you re used to getting burned doesn't mean you should play with fire," he said with that unmistakable Alpha command in his voice. "That's not brave, it's stupid,"

1 turned to the window, watching shadows race by, not wanting him to see I actually cared what he thought. Nobody, not even Sarah or Dad, had ever straight-up worried about me like this.

"Why were you with him?" Blake suddenly asked, voice hard. "Why would he think he could put his hands on you?"

I turned back fast, anger bubbling up. "Like I told you, he forced himself on me. I didn't ask for it or want it."

"He acted like there was still something between you." Blake's eyes gleamed dangerously in the moonlight

The only thing between us is this mark he slapped on me years ago before dumping me for a better deal," I said, trying to keep the hurt out of my voice. The mark stuck around. Not exactly my choice."

read. "That mate mark..... his voice dropped low. "It messes with your fighting." Blakes jaw clenched, something flashing in his eyes I couldn't re

Not a question-a fact. He'd figured out how the mark strewed with my abilities, which caught me off guard.

"Yeah," I admitted, "when he's close, the mark... it throws me off. Makes me weak." Saying it out loud made me feel naked and ashamed, especially to an Alpha from another pack.

Blake went quiet, his eyes thoughtful. "A mark shouldn't hurt like that, he finally said, softer than usual. "A real mate bond should make both stronger, not hold one down."

"Maybe in a perfect world," I gave a half-smile.

1. e. "But we're stuck in this

Our eyes met in the darkness, something electric crackling between us. His eyes looked like a storm-tossed ocean in the moonlight, impossible to read.

"Back in the training room, Blake suddenly said, voire low, 'I lost it."

That knocked me speechless. The mighty Alpha King admitting he lost control?

"You had every right to be pissed," I said carefully. "He broke your house rules.""""

"it wasn t just about rules." Blake's eyes bored into mine. "He shouldn't have touched you..."

He trailed off, but what he didn't say hung between us like a live wire.

The air in the carriage got so thick you could cut it with a knife-something

ng dangerous but tempting pulling us together, like we were both on thin ice about

"Why?" I whispered before I could stop myself. "Why would you care who touches me?"

Chapter 51 Warm Cape :

Blake's eyes flashed wolf gold for a split second, "I don't know," he admitted roughly. "But seeing his hands on you made me want to tear him apart."

shiver ran through me hall warning, half something else entirely. An Alpha King shouldn't give a damn about some nobody wolf with another man's mark.

e playing with fire here," I said softly, not sure if I was warning him or myself.

"Yeah, he agreed, eyes locked on mine. “Big time."

The air felt heavy, like right before lightning strikes. The carriage hit a bump, throwing our shoulders together. Even through our clothes, that split-second touch sent electricity through me. I noticed Blake white knuckling the seat edge He was fighting whatever this was. So was t.

The carriage jerked to a stop, breaking the spell. We'd reached my place.

Blake hopped out with that natural grace alpha wolves have, then opened my door. That old-school gentleman move wasn't something you saw much these days, especially for a nobody like me.

As I stepped down, the night wind cut right through me, making me shiver. Pre- full moon nights always carried this weird chill, like the Moon Goddess giving us a heads-up about tomorrow's wildness.

-You Le

be dressed way too light." Blake frowned. "You should be wearing something warmer this close to full moon"

"It's fighting gear, not a fashion statement," I shrugged, "Practical over pretty."

He went quiet, then unclasped his woll skin cape. This wasn't just any cape-it was an Alpha King symbol, made from rare silver-backed wolf for with Morgan family designs sewn into the edges.

Take it," he held it out, his tone saying he wouldn't take no for an answer. The cold before full moon hits different."

I hesitated. Taking an Alpha King's cape wasn't small potatoes-people would read all kinds of things into it

"I can't," I said, even as my hand reached for it anyway. "This is part of your Alpha stuff.

It's just a danin cape," he snapped impatiently. "Don't make it weird."

His words stung, but his eyes, told a different story. Blake Morgan was one big contradiction-saying he didn't care while doing everything to show he did.

I finally took the cape and wrapped it around me. Instantly, warmth seeped in, along with his scent-rain-soaked pine trees and lightning struck earth, powerful but somehow comforting.

"Bring it back tomorrow, he ordered, switching back to Alpha mode. "Don't be late for training"

"Yes, Alpha King," I nodded, deliberately using his full title to match his bossy tone.

I walked to my door, feeling his eyes on my back. When I dug out my key, I couldn't help glancing back.

Blake stood there in the moonlight, a powerful shadow refusing to budge, making sure I got in safe.

That small thing-that unasked-for protectiveness-sparked something warm in my chest.

"Thanks," I said quietly, "not just for the cape,

He just nodded, face hidden in shadow. "Night, Ava."

*Goodnight, Blake

I pushed inside the dark house and closed the door, hearing his carriage pull

away.

I leaned against the door, breathing deep. His cape smelled like him-strong, wild, like storms and forests mixed together. For some reason, it made me feel saler than I had in ages.

Id meant to ask about Dad's case,noveldrama

there was zero

was zero progress, but the timing felt wrong. Somehow I trusted him, even though

we barely knew each other and came from different worlds. Jackson's warning bells kept singing-that Blake was just using me. But those gray-blue eyes made me want to believe

Chapter 51 Warm Cape

otherwise.

My fingers touched the mark on my neck, feeling it was different tonight. Golden threads had started showing up lately, weaving through Jacksons silver mark. Tonight, with Blake nearby, it felt warmer, almost... right.

1 hung his cape on Dad's wolf-fang hook, my fingers lingering on the fabric, not wanting to let go of his scent.

Tomorrow I'd have to give it back. But tonight, I let myself enjoy this bubble of safety, like the Alpha King's protection still wrapped around me even miles

Chapter Comments