Ava''s POV


    "We need to talk about you and Jackson, ke said, drumming his fingers on the table.


    1 gulped some water, the ice clinking against my teeth. ke''s Alpha presence made the booth feel like a shoebox.


    "Dead topic," I shrugged, trying to sound casual while my neck tingled. Seeing that loyalty ring on Sophia''s finger pretty much killed any lingering feelings."


    Weird thing was, it hurt way less than it should have. My mark hummed warm instead of stabbing me with its usual ice pick pain.


    ''Look, can we skip the ex talk?" I leaned forward. "You said Hayes''s story had holes?"


    ke checked for eavesdroppers before answering. "Hayes wasn''t at that council meeting during the border sh. Three witnesses put him elsewhere."


    Hope bubbled up so fast I nearly choked on it. "So Dad-


    "I can dy the execution," ke cut in. "Full moonse every month. One postponement buys us time to dig deeper."


    My lungs forgot how breathing worked. "For real?"


    ke''s face stayed neutral, but his eyes softened like storm clouds parting. ''Someone set your father up. I smell it."


    I bit my lip to keep from grabbing his hand. “Thanks. Just... thanks.”


    The waitress swooped in with our food, practically purring at ke while silently murdering me with her eyes. She slid the venison in front of me and poured ke''s wine with practiced precision.


    After she left, ke switched gears. "Ground rules for your new job."


    "Don''t worry," I said quickly, stabbing a piece of meat. "I''ll be the picture of professionalism. No funny business."


    ke cocked an eyebrow, something dangerous lurking behind his gaze. "And me?"


    His voice dropped so low it rumbled, sending heat straight to ces it had no business going. My mark pulsed under my cor.


    "Same deal for you, Alpha King," I managed, voice steadier than my pulse.


    ke''s mouth quirked up at one corner. "We''ll see how long thatsts."


    My wolf practically melted at the challenge in his voice. Thank god for sturdy chairs.


    He pulled out a scroll with Silverpeak''s wolf seal and slid it across the table. "Blood Oath contract. Read before signing."


    I skimmed the fancy silver writing, eyebrows climbing. "This looks more like a magical gag order than employment paperwork."


    "It is," ke nodded. ''Break ckwood Manor confidentiality, face wolf consequences."


    "Harsh terms for a teaching gig."


    "It protects pack secrets," ke said. "And Lucas."


    I weighed my options. Dad''s life versus keeping secrets? No contest.


    "Where do I sign?" I asked, pushing the parchment back.


    Over dinner, ke opened up about Lucas. He started shifting at seven. Way too early."


    "That''s why you''re riding him so hard? Afraid he''ll wolf out?"


    ke''s jaw tightened. "His wolf is too strong for someone so young. Without control-


    He could hurt himself or someone else, I finished, pieces clicking. ''Dad told me early shifters are walking time bombs without proper training.


    03


    "Your father taught you well, even with your challenges, ke said.


    I smiled despite myself. Dyslexia meant learning differently, not giving up. Dad wouldn''t let me use it as an excuse. Made me recitebat moves till my muscles remembered what my brain struggled with."


    Something shifted in ke''s expression. Not pity-respect. Our conversation loosened up from there, with ke actually asking about my teaching methods and seeming interested in my answers.


    When I excused myself to pee, I felt his eyes tracking me across the room.


    The hallway was blissfully quiet until someone mmed into my shoulder hard enough to spin me sideways.


    "Oops, came a voice dripping with fake sweetness.


    I turned to face a woman with golden brown hair and ice-blue eyes. Everything from her designer dress to her posture screamed money and status. The silver medical emblem around her neck caught the light.


    Her scent hit me-fancy perfume barely masking medicinal herbs. My wolf bristled instantly.


    "No worries," I said evenly, stepping around her.


    Her eyes narrowed, zeroing in on my mark peeking above my cor. "Interesting," she murmured before strutting away.


    When I returned, ke was standing, looking tense. The woman from the hallway faced him, practically vibrating with anger.


    "This is why you''re ghosting me?'' she demanded loudly. "Because you''re screwing around with some nobody?"


    ke''s voice stayed level but carried a warning. "Amber. Public ce."


    "Answer me, she pressed, hurt leaking through her anger. ''Is she special?''


    ke spotted me then. He moved to my side, his hand settling on my shoulder. My mark flooded with warmth instead of pain.


    "What if she is?" he asked quietly.


    Amber''sugh could''ve frozen hell. "You''ll regret this mistake. Her family''s a joke."


    ''I don''t remember asking for your opinion," ke replied, voice hardening.


    I stood tall beside him, refusing to shrink under her re.


    "Watch yourself with those marks, ke,'' Amber warned, eyeing my neck. "Some stains nevere out. She stalked off, heels stabbing the floor.


    ke''s hand dropped from my shoulder. His face went nk again, Alpha mask firmly in ce


    "Who was that?" I asked, rubbing my shoulder where she''d bumped me.


    "Amber Collins. Myte wife''s sister. Runs our medical team."


    ''She seemed... territorial."


    "My mother wants us to merge bloodlines, ke said tly. "Keep it in the family."


    I noticed he didn''t offer his own opinion. Just cold facts.


    Back at our table, ke pulled out the contract. "Blood Oath time," he said, producing a silver needle. "Still in?"


    "For Dad and Lucas," I nodded.


    The ritual was simple-we pricked our fingertips, letting blood drops fall onto the parchment. The crimson beads shed silver before sinking into the document, binding our agreement.


    ke handed me a pouch that jingled with the sweet sound of money. "Tomorrow morning. Don''t bete."


    Outside, Tyler waited with a Silverpeak carriage. ke bailed, iming pack business.


    08


    As we rolled through the night, Tyler broke the silence. "Lucas actually likes you.


    That''s rarer than a vegetarian wolf."


    "He''s a good kid," I said. ''Just needs someone who gets him."


    "His abilities scare people," Tyler nodded. "Seven-year-olds shouldn''t be able to half-shift."


    ''What happened to his mom?" I asked.


    "Died giving birth to him," Tyler''s voice softened. "Poor kid spends hours staring at


    her portrait. Never even knew her."


    I thought about that lonely little boy desperate for his dad''s approval.


    When we reached my house, my mark flickered between warmth and pain. I thanked Tyler and headed inside, my mind buzzing with thoughts of Blood Oaths and ke''s unexpected help.


    Voices drifted from the living room-Mom''s sounding tense. A familiar scent hit me, sending my mark into instant fire-poker agony.


    I froze in the doorway as my wolf snarled beneath my skin.


    "What the hell are you doing in my house?" I demanded.


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