Ava''s POV


    That voice cut through the room like a knife, deep and heavy with power. In a heartbeat, the air went thick as mud. Everyone-headmaster, Tyler, even the guards–froze like deer in headlights, heads dropping as Alpha energy hit them like a truck.


    I spun around, heart in my throat.


    ke stood in the doorway, all broad shoulders and dangerous eyes locked straight on me.


    I opened my mouth, then closed it. What could I possibly say? I was screwed-not just jobless, but possibly dead meat. Faking being the Alpha King''s Luna, using his tribal cape with permission, dragging his son into my lies... Moon Goddess, had Ipletely lost my mind?


    The headmaster finally found his voice, though it shook like a leaf: "Alpha King Morgan! What a surprise. I was just catching this impostor. She ims to be Lucas''s mother and stole your cape. I was about to punish her ordingly."


    ke walked in, his eyes sliding from my face to where the headmaster''s fingers were still digging into my wrist.


    "What''s that?" ke''s voice dropped low, dangerous as a growl.


    The headmaster blinked. "What, sir?"


    "Your hand, ke said slowly, "on my Luna''s wrist."


    His Luna?!


    The room went dead quiet. My heart skipped, then raced like I''d mainlined caffeine. The headmaster went white as a sheet and dropped my wrist like it burned.


    "Your... Luna?" he choked out, eyes bouncing between us. "But after Elizabeth... we never heard-


    ke stepped closer, and the headmaster scrambled back. Alpha power flooded the room, making it hard to breathe. My wolf practically rolled over inside me, instinctively submitting to the strongest Alpha.


    "You questioning me?" ke asked, voice quiet but deadly.


    The headmaster bowed so fast he nearly fell. "Never, Alpha King."


    ke held his hand out to me. I stood there like an idiot, not sure what to do. His eyes flickered, fingers giving a little curl. Then it clicked-he wanted me to y along.


    I grabbed onto whatever courage I had left and put my hand in his. He wrapped his fingers around mine and pulled me next to him. His thumb brushed the red marks on my wrist, his touch gentle but questioning.


    "We''re keeping things quiet," ke told the headmaster. "Pack politics. You get it."


    He turned to me, something shing in his eyes I couldn''t read. "Babe, why didn''t you tell me Lucas was in trouble at school?"


    I froze, brain spinning. He doesn''t even know about the fight. How''s he bringing it up? And why the hell is he backing my crazy lie?


    When I just stood there, ke slipped his arm around my waist and tugged me closer. He bent to my ear: "Go with it.'' His breath tickled my neck, sending goosebumps down my arm.


    "Thought you had your hands full with tribal stuff, I managed. "Didn''t wanna pile


    on."


    ke squeezed my waist slightly-apparently I''d said the right thing, I caught Tyler by the door looking thoughtful-clearly in on the truth but ying along


    The headmaster looked like someone had just rewritten reality, ''Alpha King, Luna Morgan, please forgive my mistake. I had no idea about your... connection."


    ke just nodded, then looked at me. ''My cape?"


    That''s when it hit me—I was still wrapped in his Alpha cape. The thing smelled like him-pine and rain-soaked earth. My face went hot, like I''d been caught raiding his closet.


    "Yeah, figured I should give it back," I said, fumbling with the sp.


    ke watched me, not saying a word. When I finally got it off, I ran my fingers over the soft fur and silver stitching-every thread telling a Morgan family story. This wasn''t just a fancy jacket but a badge of power. And I''d been parading around in it, pretending to be his wife. What fresh hell had I created?


    I held it out to him, but instead of taking it, he turned slightly, showing me his back. He wanted me to put it on him.


    This was the kind of thing mates did for each other. My heart hammered, and Jackson''s mark heated up on my neck like a warning.


    I stood on tiptoe, spread the cape open, and settled it over his shoulders. The silver fur caught the light, making him look even bigger. My fingers kept slipping on the sps, shaking like I''d had too much coffee.


    ke nced down, eyes sparkling with something like amusement at my clumsiness. He covered my hands with his, helping me fix thest sp. His rough palm against mine sent little jolts through my skin. I stared at the embroidery, afraid to look up..


    "Thanks, honey," he said, then whispered where only I could hear: "Nice work."


    When I finally looked up, I saw more than just the expected smugness in his eyes-something deeper that made my stomach flip. I couldn''t put my finger on what it was. what


    I backed up a step, but ke kept his hand on my waist like it belonged there.


    The mood in the room had done aplete 180. Now everyone looked at us with a mix of shock and respect. The w marks on my back stung, rearinding me this was all fake, but my wolf practically wagged its tail at our little game.


    "Fill me in on Lucas''s problem," ke said to the headmaster. I noticed how carefully he worded it-fishing for info since he had no clue what had happened.


    The headmaster straightened up. "Yes, sir. Lucas got into a fight with another student yesterday. Given who he is, we didn''t punish him immediately, but school rules say we need a parent to discuss it."


    ke nodded, giving nothing away. His hand tightened on my waist just slightly- a silent question. He was trying to get more details from me. He really didn''t know what had happened.


    "Maybe we should talk somewhere private?" the headmaster suggested. "My office?"


    As we followed him through the halls, it felt like the whole school stopped to stare. Kids whispered and teachers did double-takes at the sight of the Alpha King and his mystery "wife."


    I felt like I was walking on a high wire without a. I nced at ke and found him looking totally at ease, like he really was just a husband handling his kid''s school trouble. Meanwhile, I was wound so tight I could barely breathe.


    Weird thing was, despite freaking out inside, I felt strangely safe. ke''s hand stayed at my waist, warm and steady, like he was saying: I got you.


    The mark on my neck seemed to wake up, silver and gold threads tangling together, warm against my skin. I had no idea what it meant or how this crazy act would end, but for now, I''d follow his lead.


    We were both ying parts-I just couldn''t tell where the masks ended and reality


    Chapter Comments


    Mike


    didn''t expect that, love it though. curious how they knew about it though? the


    assistant listening in maybe?


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    & 3