Marked Twice by the Alpha King

Chapter 54: Beneath the Costume

Ava's POV

That vier cut through the room like a knife, deep and heavy with power. guards froze like deer in headlights, leads dropping as Alpha energy hit

a heartbeat, the ait went thick as mud, Everyone-headmaster,

Tyler, even the

1 spun around, heart in my throat.

Blake stood in the doorway, all broad shoulders and dangerous eyes leucked straight on me.

I opened my mouth, then closed it. What could I possibly say? I was screwed-not just jobless, but possibly dead meat. Faking being the Alpha King's Laura, using his tribal cape with permission, dragging his son into my lies... Moon Goshless, hail I completely lost my mind?

The headmaster finally found his voice, though it shook like a leaf: "Alpha King Morgant What a surprise. I was just catching this impostor. She claims to be Lucas & mother and stole your cape. I was about to punish hier accordingly.

Blake walked in, his eyes-sliding from my face to where the beadmaster's fingers were still digging into my wrist...

"What's that?" Blake's voir dropped low, dangerous as a growl,

The headmaster blinked. "What, sir?

"Your hand," Blake said slowly, "om my lana's wrist."

The room went dead quiet. My heart skipped, then raced like I'd mainlined caffeine. The headmaster went white as a sheet and dropped my wrist like it

barned.

"Your... Lana?" be choked out, eyes bouncing between us. "But after Elizabeth... we never brand -"

Blake stepped closer, and the headmaster scrambled back. Alpha power flooded the room, making it hard to breathe. My wolf practically rolled over inside. me, instinctively submitting to the strongest Alpha,

*You questioning me? Blake asked, voice quiet but deadly,

The headmaster bowed so fast he nearly fell. "Never, Alpha King.

Blake held his hand out to me, I stood there like an idiot, not sure what to do. His eyes flickered, fingers giving a little curl. Then it clicked-he wanted me to play along.

I grabbed onto whatever courage I had left and put my hand in his. He wrapped his fingers around mine and pulled me next to him. His thumb brushed the red marks on my wrist, his touch gentle but questioning.

"We're keeping things quiet," Blake told the headmaster. "Pack politics. You get

He turned to me, something flashing in his eyes I couldn't read. "Hale, why didn't you tell me Lucas was in trouble at school?"

I froze, brain spinning. He doesn't even know about the fight. How's he bringing it up? And why the hell is he backing my crazy le?noveldrama

When I just stood there, Blake

1. r. Blake slipped his arm around my waist and tagged me closer. He bent to my ear: "Go with it." His breath tickled my neck, sending goosebumps down my am.

Thought you had your hands full with tribal si

stuff," I managed. "Didn't wanna pile on.

flake squeezed my waist slightly-apparently I'd said the right thing I caught Tyler by the dont looking thoughtful-clearly in on the truth but playing aling

The headmaster looked like someone had just rewritten reality. "Alpha King, Luna Morgan, please forgive my mistake. I had no idea about your..... connection."

Blake just nodded, then looked at m "My cape?"

That's when it hit me I was still wrapped in his Alpha cape. The thing smelled like him-pine and rain-soaked earth. My face went hot, like I'd been caught

Chapter 54 Beneath the Costume

"Yeah, figured I should give it back, I said, bambling with the clare

Blake watched me, not saving a

g a wond. When I finally got it off, I can my fingers over the mudt for story. This wasn't just a fancy jacket foot a badge of power. Aiud I'd been paroding around

I held it out to him, but instead of taking it, he tomed

ghtly, showing me his back

He wanted me to put it on him.

This was the kind of thing mates did fou rachother. My heart hammereil,

I stood on tiptoe, spread the cape open, and settled it over his shoulders. The silver bar emight slipping on the clasps, shaking like 1 hind too much coffer.

light, making him brod even bigger My lingnes bege

Blake glanced down, eyes sparkling with something like an

amusement at my chamsiness. He covered my hands with his, helping me palm against mine sent little jolts through my skin. I stared at the embroidery, afraid the food top

-"Thanks, honey," he said, then whispered where only I could hear: "Nice work." When I finally looked up, I saw more than ju what it was

I backed up a step,

just the expected smineness in his eyes-something deeper that made

Blake kw

kept his hand on my waist

on my waist like it belonged there.

The mood in the room had done a complete 180. Now everyone looked at us with

a mix of shee and respect. The claw marks on me this was all fake, but my wolf practically wagged its tail at om little game.

Fill me in on Lucas's problem," Blake said to the headmaster. I isoticed bone carefully he wonded it-Fishing for info siner he had no else what had happened.

The headmaster straightened up. "Yes, sir. Locas got into a fight with another student yesterday. Given who he is, we didn't punish film immediately, let school rules say we need a parent to discuss it."

Blake nodded, giving nothing away. His hand tightened on m waist just slightly-a silent question. He was trying to get more details from me. He really didn't know what had happened.

Maybe we should talk somewhere private the headmaster suggested. "My office?"

As we followed him through the halls, it felt like the whole school stupped to stare. Kids whispered and teachers did double-takes at the sight of the Alpha King and his mystery "wile."

I felt like I was walking on a high wire without a net. I glanced at lake and found him looking totally at ease, like he really was just a husband handling his kid's school trouble. Meanwhile, I was wound so tight. I could barely breathe, Weird thing was, despite freaking out inside, I felt strangely safe. Blake's hand stayed at my waist, warm and steady, like he was saying: Epot por

The mark on my neck seemed to wake up, silver and gold threads tangling together, warm against my skin. I had no idea what it meant or how this crazy act would end, but for now, I'd follow his lead.

We were both playing parts-1 just couldn't tell where the masks ended and reality began.

Chapter Comments

didn't expect that, love it though, curious how they knew about it though? the assistant listening in maybe?