ke''s POV
The tribal council had sucked the life out of me. I kicked the manor door shut behind me, savoring the heavy thud.
My shoulders dropped an inch. Here, at least, I didn''t have to be the unshakable Alpha King. Just tired, cranky ke Morgan with a pounding headache.
I closed my eyes, letting my senses map the house. Lucas was probably in the training room, Sophia likely out or perhaps in her room preparing for the wedding. And Ava... I wondered if her back had healed.
My eyes snapped open and I felt confused, agitated. Why did I care?
"Everything satisfactory, Alpha King?"
Wilson stood at the foot of the stairs, spine rigid as a silver pole, eyes carefully nd.
"Fine," I muttered, the word clipped. "Lucas still training?"
"Indeed, sir. With Miss Rivers." The way he said her name-like picking up something distasteful-made my jaw tighten.
I''d deal with Wilson''s attitudeter. Right now, checking on Lucas seemed as good an excuse as any to stretch my legs. Just routine Alpha business, making sure the heir was progressing.
That''s what I told myself, anyway.
Halfway down the corridor, my hackles rose. The air changed-tension, anger, fear. My pace quickened automatically, instincts shifting into high alert. Through the heavy oak door came muffled sounds: harsh whispers, the thud of bodies, a breathless "let go."
And smells-Ava''s scent spiked with adrenaline and fury. And intertwined with it, a scent that had no business being here.
Jackson Hayes.
The door mmed open under my hand.
Jackson had Ava pinned against the stone wall, one hand mped around her wrists, the other gripping her jaw, forcing her head to the side. His mouth hovered over her neck where I knew her mark sat, his body pressed against hers. She was twisting, fighting, but caught at the wrong angle.
My vision washed red.
"What the fuck is happening here?" The words came out barely human.
Jackson froze like prey in headlights. The pressure of my Alpha energy hit him physically, making him stumble back from Ava. His face went ck with terror as his knees buckled, body responding to primal instinct. Head down, neck exposed-submission
Too little, toote.
I crossed the room in three strides, grabbed him by the throat, and mmed him into the wall hard enough that mortar dust rained down. The stone cracked behind him with a satisfying crunch.
"I warned you." Each word dripped from my mouth like venom.
Jackson dangled from my grip, choking, his feet scrabbling against the wall. His face purpled as he fought for air, eyes bulging. The wolf in me howled for blood. Break his neck. Tear him apart. Show him what happens when he touches what''s mine-
A warm hand touched my back.
"ke, stop. Ava''s voice cut through the red fog. He''s not worth it.”
I tightened my grip, feeling Jackson''s pulse flutter under my fingers.
"Sophia would be devastated," Ava added softly. "Don''t make her pay for his stupidity."
The reminder of my daughter hit like ice water. I dropped Jackson like garbage, watching him crumple to the floor in a pathetic heap, wheezing and
clutching his throat.
"Get up, I snapped.
He struggled to his feet, weaving like a drunk, eyes fixed on the floor. "Touch her again," I said, each word precise, "and Sophia''s feelings won''t save you. Alpha or not, I''ll tear your spine out through your throat. Understand?"
Jackson nodded frantically, still not looking up.
"Now get the fuck out of my sight."
He stumbled toward the door, half-crawling, the smell of fear pouring off him like sweat.
When the door closed behind him, the silence felt electric. Ava stood watching me, chest rising and falling rapidly, face flushed. Her hair hade loose from its practical braid, wild strands framing her face. Something primitive curled in my gut at the sight.
Chapter Comments
Mike
its like they dont want to acknowledge what their wolves already know lol
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Bad Husband 6