Ava''s POV


    I reached for the medical supplies, but ke blocked my hand, his jaw set in that stubborn way I''de to recognize.


    "Sit still," he ordered, though his voicecked its usualmand. "That needs proper cleaning."


    ''I''m perfectly capable of bandaging my own wounds," I replied coolly. "I''ve had plenty of practice these past few days."


    A muscle twitched in his cheek. "I''m sure you have."


    When I tried to stand, his hand shot out, not quite touching me but effectively blocking my path. Our eyes locked in a silent battle of wills. The look on his face wasn''t the Alpha King''s authoritative re, but something far more dangerous- raw concern mixed with a determination that said he wasn''t backing down.


    "Please," he said, the word so unexpected it froze me in ce. ke Morgan didn''t say ''please'' to anyone. "Let me help you, Ava."


    Something in his tone-a vulnerability I rarely heard from him-made my defenses waver. I slowly sank back onto the table, still watching him warily.


    He kept his movements deliberate as he gathered supplies, like I was some wounded wild animal that might bolt. Maybe I was.


    "You didn''t have toe charging in like that," I said, my voice rougher than intended./"I had it under control."


    ke snorted, rifling through cabs until he found a med kit. "Yeah, bleeding on their floor looked real controlled."


    The familiar sarcasm loosened something tight in my chest. This wasn''t Alpha King ke with his formal masks and careful words. This was just... ke. The man who called me on my bullshit.


    He examined my arm, fingers surprisingly gentle for such arge man. His eyes darkened as they traced over old from today."


    "Just part of the Hayes wee package," I shrugged, trying to sound casual. ses peppering my skin. These weren''t


    ke turned on the faucet, testing the water temperature before guiding my arm under the stream. I couldn''t help but tense up-not just from the sting, but from his touch. It brought back everything at once: moonlit training sessions with Lucas, whispered conversations in the hallway, the weight of his gaze across a crowded room.


    ''Hold still, he murmured, voice unexpectedly soft. "Let me fix this.


    Something about his tone-about having this powerhouse of an Alpha tending to me like I was something precious-made my throat tight. After days of being treated like dirt, the simple care in his touch felt almost overwhelming.


    I watched him work, noticing things I''d missed before. The shadows under his eyes. The stubble darker than usual. His hair sticking up on one side like he''d been running his hand through it repeatedly.


    "Why''d you reallye?" I asked quietly.


    His hands paused, but he didn''t look up. "You know why."


    "Pretend I don''t."


    This time his eyes met mine, clear and direct. "Three days without hearing from you, I sent Tyler to investigate. When he reported what Martha had done His jaw tightened. ''Let''s just say I''ve had calmer/moments."


    "So what, your property got damaged and you came to collect?" The words came out sharper than intended.


    "Don''t. His hand gripped the edge of the table. "Don''t twist this into something ugly. Nobody treats someone I care about like this Nob


    The raw honesty in his voice made my mark pulse. I''d expected excuses, maybe some formal Alpha King speech about pack responsibility. A


    I thought I was persona non grata at ckwood," I said, struggling to keep my voice steady. "After Lucas-*


    ''I was wrong, Ava."


    I blinked, taken aback by the bluntness. ke never admitted failure-not as Alpha, not as father, not as anything.


    His fingers came up, tilting my chin so I couldn''t look away. ''I was scared out of my mind when Lucas copsed. Needed someone to me. You were there His eyes held a vulnerability I''d never seen. ''It was easier to push you away than admit I might lose both of you."


    My chest ached at the admission. No grand excuses, no Alpha posturing-just raw truth. "I understand, I said quietly. "If Sarah or William were hurt, I might have overreacted too."


    "How is he?" I asked, desperate to change the subject before I did something stupid like cry.


    A ghost of a smile touched ke''s lips. "Driving the healers crazy. Made something for you-some wolf carving."


    The image of Lucas bent over a block of wood, tongue caught between his teeth in concentration, made my eyes burn. I ducked my head, focusing on the bandage ke was carefully applying.


    The ointment stung like hell, but I barely noticed as his thumb traced slow circles against my pulse point-an unconscious gesture that sent sparks up my


    arm.


    He finished the bandaging, his fingers lingering on my wrist a second longer than necessary before reluctantly letting go.


    "Thank you," I said, pointing to the neatly bandaged wound. "And... thanks for the exnation. Much better than sending Tyler to apologize."


    The corner of his mouth curved upward. "I''ll make sure someone checks your wound in the morning."


    I nodded, but then remembered reality: "But I can''t just leave. Sarah and I have nowhere else to go. For my father


    we have to stay here.


    As I mentioned these constraints, ke''s expression became more determined, with that resolve I''de to recognize-the look when the Alpha King makes a decision.


    "You think I''d let you continue living here?" he asked, his voice low and firm. "Let the Hayes family work you like a ve? Let Sarah live in fear every day?"


    He moved closer, close enough that I could feel the warmth of his breath. "From today, you and Sarah will both leave this ce."


    This simple deration made my heart race. "But the Hayes family won''t let us go easily. Martha has arranged everything


    "They have no choice," ke interrupted, his voice calm yet undeniably authoritative. "You will be under my protection. Anyone who challenges this decision is challenging the Alpha King''s authority."


    His palm gently touched my cheek, warm and steadfast. "I won''t make the same mistake again, Ava. I won''t let you go."


    Then he leaned forward, gently pressing his lips to mine. The kiss was so tender, yet contained unspeakable promises and power. I found myself responding instinctively, the mark on my neck rejoicing at the contact, golden warmth dispelling silver chill.


    When he pulled back, his eyes had shiftedpletely to wolf-gold, burning with something primal and protective.


    "The Hayes family can whine all they want," he murmured against my lips. "But you belong with me, Rivers. Always have."


    ckmoonsage


    I just don''t understand why not just say they are mates ugh