Marked Twice by the Alpha King

Third Person POV

Moonlight spilled over Blackwood Manor's hunting grounds as Jackson watched Sophia ordering guards around. They hung silver lanterns from oak branches while others set up stone benches around fire pits stacked with pine logs.

"All this fuss for one guy?" Jackson asked, tapping the railing. "Your dad doesn't even get this royal treatment."

Sophia stopped mid-instruction, her face lighting up. "Not just 'some guy," she corrected, practically bouncing. "It's Steven! My cousin from Dark Moon pack. Growing up, I'd follow him around like a lost puppy during every Northern Moon bash."

"First I'm hearing about him," Jackson said, eyebrows raised.

Sophia slipped her arm around his waist. "He's been up north, tracking down old pack stories. Total history buff-knows the dirt on every major pack's beginnings and battles."

"So what's his deal? Alpha-in-waiting, bookworm, or what?" Jackson asked, not bothering to hide his curiosity.

"My dad's brother's kid," Sophia explained, eyes bright with memories. "Uncle James ditched everything Silverpeak offered for a Dark Moon she-wolf. Fated mates-the real deal, not the arranged crap most packs pull."

"He walked away from the Morgan name in Silverpeak?" Jackson couldn't mask his surprise. "For some out-of-pack girl?"

"Feel a true mate bond once, and you'd get it," Sophia said, fingers brushing his wrist. "So Steven got the Morgan blood but grew up Dark Moon, turned into this keeper of wolf history."

Before Jackson could dig deeper, a sharp wolf-whistle cut through the night.

Guard howls echoed-three long, one short-the Alpha visitor signal. Sophia grabbed Jackson's hand and practically dragged him toward the front yard.

"Holy shit, he's here!" she squealed.

The courtyard blazed with torches. Tyler stood at the gate with armed guards flanking him. From the forest path emerged a massive silver-gray wolf, leather bags slung across its back, ancient symbols catching the firelight.

The wolf's body twisted and cracked as bones rearranged. Seconds later, a tall guy with movie-star looks stood in the wolf's place. He threw on the robe a guard handed him, flashing a smile that screamed Morgan family-confident but not cocky.

"Sophie-wolf!" he called, arms wide, his voice carrying a rough northern accent. "Steve!" Sophia sprinted across the yard like a kid on Christmas morning. "You made it! Thought you'd bail till after the moon crashed."

Steven caught her mid-leap, spinning her around before setting her down. "And miss my favorite cousin's hunt ceremony? Fat chance." His eyes landed on Jackson. "So this is the famous Hayes kid."

Jackson stepped up, extending his hand with a subtle pulse of Alpha energy. "Jackson Hayes. Shadow Creek's next Alpha. Heard plenty about your history gig.

"Steven Morgan. Dark Moon's next in line," he returned the handshake with equal pressure. "Sophie's letters make you sound better than sliced bread."

Tyler cleared his throat. "Master Steven, Alpha King's handling some border mess. Asked me to show you around. Your room's all set."

Blue fire crackled in the ancestral hall, lighting up stern-faced Morgan Alphas watching from their portraits. The three sat around a carved table, drinking wine that glowed like liquid moonlight.

"So the whole northern territory's cool with you taking over?" Jackson swirled his drink. "Even though your mom's side had the original Alpha juice?'

Steven smiled, unfazed. "Up north, we care more about what you can do than whose blood you've got. Dad earned respect through actions, not family trees." He sipped his wine. "And I've gotta prove I deserve that spot, same as any real Alpha."

Sophia patted his arm. "Steve's collected stories from every northern pack. Sees patterns nobody else catches."

"It's just what I do," Steven shrugged, then turned to Jackson. "Some stories need keeping, Some truths shouldn't disappear." His tone carried weight.

Jackson opened his mouth to respond when Sophia suddenly jumped up. "Crap! Promised Lucas some sleep herbs. Keep the bromance going-back in five."

Once Sophia left, the air thickened. Steven leaned forward, voice dropping. "Word is Shadow Creek's been a hot mess lately. Dead Alpha, supposed traitors, power grabs..."

"Every pack hits rough patches," Jackson said smoothly. "But you're more interested in me and Sophie, right?"noveldrama

Steven chuckled. "Sure, sure. Though I'm curious about this Rivers family. Heard William Rivers supposedly offed your former Alpha?"

Jackson's fingers stilled on the table. "Pack business gets messy. Rivers fucked up. Had to pay."

"Fucking up and actual guilt aren't always the same thing," Steven said, eyes sharp. "In my line of work, truth beats rumors any day."

Walking toward the guest wing, they discussed tomorrow's hunt when sharp metallic clangs rang out, mixed with heavy breathing.

"What's that?" Steven perked up.

Sophia smiled. "Probably Ava. She's Lucas's combat coach-trains like a demon."

Steven's eyes lit up. "Combat coach? Thought that was Tyler's gig."

"Blake found fresh blood," Jackson said flatly. "Shadow Creek fighter. Some moves, not much experience."

"That right?" Steven's interest was obvious. "Gotta see what passes for warrior material around here. Up north, we live for good fighters.”

He headed toward the sound before anyone could answer. At the training deck, they watched Ava facing three practice drones, her body a blur of motion. Every strike landed perfectly, her movements both powerful and graceful.

"That's Ava," Jackson muttered. "Blake hired her for Lucas."

Steven's breathing quickened as he watched her. "That fighting style... never seen anything like it. Northern power with southern flow."

Ava grabbed a water bottle, gulping half of it in one go. Droplets traced her jawline, catching the light. She wiped her forehead and glanced up, spotting them.

Her eyes found Jackson first-cold as ice; then Sophia-a quick, friendly nod; finally landing on Steven-sizing him up without backing down.

"Hunt tomorrow," Sophia called down. "You bringing Lucas?"

Ava sheathed her knife. "If Blake says it's cool. Kid needs real tracking practice." "Looking forward to seeing how he's doing," Steven said, his voice dropping an octave. "Maybe we could swap some northern fighting tricks."

Ava gave a simple nod before walking away, disappearing down the hallway.

Steven took a deep breath, still staring after her. "Damn," he said under his breath. "Your warriors are something else."

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