Marked Twice by the Alpha King


    Ava''s POV


    After putting the Delta warrior on his back for the third time this morning, I dragged my aching body to the rest area My muscles protested with every step. but teaching Lucas had given me a strange new energy and focus in my own training.


    E sat at our usual bench, attacking a jerky stick while flipping through a dog eared tactics manual. Some constants in life kept me sane.


    "Look what the cat dragged in," she called, snapping her book shut. She nudged a steaming mug toward me. Recovery brew. Heard you were sparring with the Delta warriors today."


    I copsed across from her, bones practically melting into the bench. "E, I could kiss you right now. The mug warmed my palms as 1 inhaled herbs that smelied like forest and healing.


    "Drink up," she said, kicking my shin lightly under the table. "You look like death warmed over."


    The first sip hit my system like lightning, dulling the screaming in my muscles. I closed my eyes, sighing as the tension uncoiled.


    “So, E leaned forward, elbows on the table, ''you ghosted mest night. Thought we had a mindlink date?"


    I winced mid-sip. "Sorry. Lucas ran me ragged at ckwood. Fell face-first into bed the second 1 got home,


    "That bad? E raised an eyebrow. "Kid must be a nightmare."


    My fingers tightened around the mug. The Blood Oath with ke tingled at the back of my mind-a silent warning. One slip about what really happened with Lucas and that magical scroll, and I''d be in serious supernatural trouble. High- paying job? Gone, Worse, Blood Oath bacsh could literally fry me from the inside out.


    "It''s... I searched for safe words, plicated."


    "Complicated how? Is he setting things on fire? Her eyes gleamed with mischief.


    I snorted. "Lucas is actually scary smart. Kid''s like a sponge. He''s just..." My tongue felt heavy, the Oath keeping certain truths locked behind my teeth. "His wolf abilities are showing way too early. He needs someone who gets what that''s like. I traced the rim of my mug. Plus the payment helps to ease my way."


    ''Sounds perfect! E''s face brightened. "Nobody better for the job. You taught my hopeless ass to fight, and I''ve got two left paws."


    ''Please,'' I rolled my eyes. "You''re not that bad."


    She pressed a hand to her chest in mock offense. Name one warrior thing you suck at. Just one."


    I thought for a second. "Herbal remedies. Can''t mix them worth a damn."


    "That''s because you''re too busy being perfect at everything else, sheughed, throwing her jerky wrapper at me. "Even when you mess up, you still follow the recipe exactly. It''s annoying as hell."


    I grinned, something tight in my chest easing for the first time in days. God, normal felt good-just two friendsughing like the world wasn''t burning downs around us.


    A sickly-sweet scent hit my nose-designer perfume trying to mask the sharp bite of weapon oil. My smile dhed as Serena Evans sauntered over, trailed by her pack of wannabes.


    I''d known Serena since we were pups fumbling through our first battle stances. Our rivalry sparked when I knocked her on her ass during our first youth tournament, but what started as healthypetition had rotted into something ugly over the years.


    Every day was a battle for Academy rankings. Serena rode her family connections like a free pass, while I wed my way up through sheer grit. As much as 1 hated her, she was good-lightning-fast reflexes, killer instincts, and a tactical mind that made her dangerous, Ice-blue eyes that caught every weakness, sunshine-blonde hair always woven into those perfect battle braids even during the bloodiest fights.


    Her battle gear-custom made by her famous designer mother-fit like she''d been poured into it. The ideal warrior princess for breeding perfect wolf cubs. Too bad all that packaging hid a heart pumping pure venom.


    Well, well, Serena stopped at our table, lips curling like she''d smelled something foul. "Traitor''s daughter still has the nerve to show her face here."


    Her followers fanned out behind her, sneering down at us.


    “Serena,” I said tly. "What a surprise. Usually, you''re hiding in the advanced training room when I''m around."


    Her eyes narrowed Heard Jackson finally wised up and dumped your ass. What was it he said?" She tapped her chin. Something about preferring a mate with actual prospects?"


    Her cronies snickered, the sound setting my teeth on edge.


    "Wolves never reject fated mates unless they''re fundamentally broken, one girl with too much eyeshadow piped up.


    Seriously defective goods," another added. ''Even Jackson-Mr. Bloodline Obsessed-would rather tick off the Moon Goddess than stick with her."


    My ws pricked my palms, drawing tiny beads of blood. ''Don''t you have better things to do? Or is mommy''s reputation the only thing keeping you in the advanced ss these days?


    E leaned back, crossing her arms. ''Aren''t we a little old for yground bullying? Or do they not teach manners in your special rich girl sses?


    Serena''s face hardened. If it weren''t for your little shadow here- she flicked a dismissive nce at E, always following you around like a lost puppy. What, Rivers, can''t fight your own battles anymore? She turned back to me, voice dropping. "Everyone knows your daddy''s execution date is set. What''s your n after, Rivers? Begging for scraps in Shadow Creek? Or just going full rogue?" Something snapped. I stood so fast the bench scraped against stone, my eyes burning silver. "Are you trying to make up for the fact that I''ve kicked your ass in everybat assessment for three straight years bying after my family?" My voice dropped to a growl that wasn''t entirely human.


    Serena''s face went chalk white. Her followers took an instinctive step back, suddenly finding the ceiling fascinating,


    E sprawled back on the bench, lips twitching with barely contained glee.


    Your luck''s running out, Rivers, Serena hissed, voice shaking slightly. ''Soon you''ll learn what a wolfless really is without family backing. Let''s go, girls."


    She whipped around, golden hair swinging like a weapon as she stalked off, her pack scrambling to keep up.


    The tension drained from my shoulders once she disappeared. I dropped back onto the bench, suddenly tired again.


    "Damn, E whispered, eyes wide. I was hoping you''d rearrange her face. Can you imagine her perfect nose all crooked?"


    I rubbed my temples. "Not worth it. Bigger fish to fry."


    Shell find another way to make your life hell, E muttered.


    "Always does, I agreed.


    E stretched, deliberately changing subjects. "Hey, you going to the Honor Ceremony tomorrow? Winner gets full training subsidies next quarter and pack exchange privileges."


    I jolted upright. "Ipletely forgot! Got the invitation weeks ago, but with everything..." I trailed off, suddenly remembering the humiliation of begging those drunk Northern wolves for information at Moonlight Lodge. I need to be there. Exchange privileges mean ess to intel without the groveling. Could be huge for Dad''s case.


    The sundial''s shadow caught my eye. ''Crap, I''mte for weapons training,'' I said, gulping down thest of my tea. "Later, E."


    "Kick some ass!" she called as I jogged away.


    After ss, I stood in the assembly area nning my mad dash home. I needed


    to change before heading to ckwood Manor for Lucas''s training. Just as I took my first step, a gleaming ck carriage pulled up, the silver wolf enablem of Silverpeak catching the sunlight like a warning.