Chapter 49: Going To Be Family


    Ava''s POV


    Golden sunset light spilled through the training room windows, turning ckwood Manor''s worn oak floor into a pool of honey. I wiped sweat from my forehead, watching Lucas''s small figure bounce down the hallway, all gangly limbs and endless energy.


    "Hit the shower, kiddo!" I called after him. "Tomorrow I''ll show you how to flip someone twice your size."


    "Promise?" His eyes lit up like it was Christmas morning.


    "Scouts honor. Now scrum."


    He shot me a gap-toothed grin before disappearing around the corner. The room fell quiet except for the soft clink of metal as I gathered scattered training daggers. My thoughts drifted to Sarah-probably still in bed, curtains drawn, lost in that dark fog that had swallowed her since Dad''s arrest. I needed to get home, make sure she at least drank some water. Jackson''s special herb soup had helped, I couldn''t deny that, but his games made my skin crawl.


    The training room door creaked open just as I slid thest practice de into its rack.


    "There you are!" Sophia''s voice chimed like a bell. "Did Lucas master that defensive stance?"


    I turned to find her standing there, golden hair catching the sunset, arm looped through Jackson''s like they''d stepped out of some fancy pack mating ceremony advertisement. Her face glowed with that soft happiness that made it impossible to hate her.


    And then there was Jackson.


    His eyes locked onto me like a predator sizing up wounded prey, his mouth curled in that barely there smirk that made me want to punch teeth. He tugged Sophia closer, nuzzling her neck before nting a lingering kiss just below her ear. She giggled, leaning into him.


    “Kid''s a natural,” I said, keeping my voice casual while pretending I hadn''t seen their disy. "Picked up in an hour what takes most beginners a week."


    "I knew you d click with him!" Sophia beamed, her fingers intertwined with Jacksons. "Dad has this crazy sixth sense about people."


    Jackson brushed his lips against her temple, eyes sliding to meet mine over her head. Your father certainly knows how to... pick the right person for the job."


    I busied myself with my gym bag, desperate for an escape route asckson''s hand slid possessively down Sophia''s back,ing to rest against her hip.


    Lucas just hit the shower," I said. "Should be out soon."


    "Ill go check on him," Sophia said, turning to face Jackson. He immediately cupped her face, kissing her deeply like I wasn''t even there. She melted against him, sighing softly when they broke apart. "Plus make sure Wilson isn''t terrorizing the kitchen staff again. Coming with?"


    "You go ahead, babe," Jackson said, thumb caressing her cheek. "I need a quick word with Ava about Lucas''s progress. know him more."


    We''re going to be family. I want to


    Family. The wordnded like a rock in my gut.


    Sophia nodded and slipped out, but not before Jackson pulled her back for one more kiss. He whispered something in her ear that made her blush crimson before she hurried away. The moment the door clicked shut, the temperature in the room seemed to drop ten degrees.


    ''ying house pet for ke suits you." [ Jackson''s voice lost all its warmth. "Makes you almost respectable."


    1 slung my gym bag over my shoulder. "If you don''t have anything useful to say, I''m out. Sarah needs me."


    "Poor Sarah," he said with exaggerated concern. "How''s she doing with those northern herbs I brought? Working their magic?


    "Drop the concerned act," I snapped. "We both know you only showed up to manipte her, Make me the bad guy for not falling at your feet."


    He shrugged one shoulder, leaning against the equipment rack. "Can''t a guy worry about a wolf going through mate-separation? That pain''s no joke."


    "Spare me." I rolled my eyes. "What''s next-paying Wilson to make my life hell? Oh wait, you already did that."


    own issues with you. Maybe he just sees what Sophia


    Something shed across his face-surprise?-before his mask slipped back into ce. "Wilson has his own is dorin L


    Chapter 49: Going To Be Family


    "And what exactly would that be?" I challenged,


    "A rejected mate ying both sides." He stepped closer. "Getting cozy with ke while your mark still carries my signature."


    I stood my ground. "You lost any right to that mark when you traded me for a political marriage."


    Speaking of trading up... His eyes narrowed. “kes got you wrapped around his finger, doesn''t he? Tell me, do you think of him when you''re alone at night?"


    Heat rushed to my face. "What the hell are you talking about?"


    "Come on, Ava." His voice dropped low. "Your mark is changing. Gold threads creeping through my silver. Only happens one way-another Alpha''s influence.


    "That''s just your mark fading," I shot back, fingers instinctively brushing my neck. "Because you broke the bond."


    Heughed a short, harsh sound. "Marks don''t lie, sweetheart. Especially fated mate marks. Your wolf knows who you belong to, even if you''re ying hard to get.


    I moved toward the door. "We''re done here.


    His hand shot out, grabbing my wrist and yanking me backward. Before I could react, he had me pinned against the wall, his body blocking any escaple


    "Get your hands off me!" I growled, struggling against his grip


    "Your body remembers me," he breathed, his fingers digging into my wrists. "Your well''s practically howling beneath the surface. Can''t you feel it?"


    I twisted, trying to knee him where it counts, but he pressed closer, using his weight to immobilize me.


    *Remember how it felt?" His lips brushed my ear, sending an unwanted shiver down my spine. "When I''d touch your mark and you''d melt? Let''s see if that connection''s still there."


    His fingers inched toward my neck. I jerked my head away, but his other hand caught my jaw, forcing me to face him.


    "Don''t," I warned through clenched teeth.


    But my traitorous mark warmed at his proximity, the sensation making my stomach turn. He noticed-of course he did his lips curving into that smug smile I''d grown to hate.


    Ce-Tour


    mouth says no, but this- his thumb brushed just below my mark, this doesn''t lie.”


    is face lowered toward my heck, and panic surged through me. Just as his lips nearly brushed my skin, the door crashed open like it had been hit by a wrecking


    ball


    His


    The room suddenly filled with an Alpha aura so dense it felt like breathing underwater. My lungs seized as raw power flooded every


    corner of the space.


    Jackson froze, smug confidence evaporating instantly.


    ke stood in the doorway, eyes zing molten gold, fury radiating off him in


    waves that made the air itself seem to tremble.


    "What. The. Hell." Each word dropped like a stone into deadly silence. "Is happening here?


    Chapter Comments


    Isn''t she supposed to be one of the best warriors, or the best? Why is she struggling with Jackson- or is this a mate bond thing?