Marked Twice by the Alpha King

"The Northern Lights alliance..."

"Screw Northern Lights!" Tyler's emotions flowed through our connection. 'Boss, if you let politics destroy your happiness, you II regret it forever?

After cutting the link, I sat alone in the empty study, his words echoing in my head. Maybe he was right. Maybe I was overcomplicating everything,

Eleven o'clock brought a decision. I gathered up the files, turned off the desk lamp; walked out of the study.

Passing Sophia's room, I caught fragments of her conversation through the door. "...next time will be different, I promise... I know what you need to hear Her voice sounded strained, almost rehearsed.

I paused, frowning. This didn't sound like the blissful reconciliation she'd described earlier. More like someone desperately trying to convince themselves everything was fine.

Part of me wanted to feel relieved that maybe Jackson wasn't as perfect as she believed. But mostly I just felt... empty. Should I be sad my daughter was struggling? Or glad she might finally see through his act?

Instead of heading for the garage, I went straight to the manor's back door. Driving to the northern villa would take an hour. Running there in wolf form? Twenty minutes.noveldrama

The night air was cold but helped clear my head. I stripped off my shirt, let moonlight wash over my skin, then let the change begin. Bones reshaping, muscles extending-every transformation made me feel more powerful.

Seconds later, a massive black wolf stood in the moonlight. My senses exploded- could hear wind three miles away, smell every night creature, feel the earth's pulse.

This was Alpha King power.

I started running, paws almost silent on the forest floor. Trees flew past, Silverpeak's night unfolding beneath my feet. This was my territory, my kingdom, every inch under my protection.

But right now I only wanted to protect one person.

On the I tried reaching Ava through our golden bond. The connection was weak, but I caught her emotional state. Complex mix of pain, loneliness, and something confused I couldn't identify.

way,

What was she doing?

Forest became a green blur around me, heartbeat getting faster. Maybe Tyler was right. Maybe I should stop torturing myself and just go after what I wanted.

Political alliances? Trade deals? Screw all of it. Nothing mattered more than Ava. When the villa's lights appeared ahead, my heart nearly jumped out of my chest. I stopped at the tree line, let the change reverse. Bones readjusting, muscles contracting-seconds later I was human again.

Threw my clothes back on, took a deep breath, walked toward the front door. Lights were on inside, but dim.

My hand actually shook when I knocked. Ridiculous-I was the Alpha King, ruler of the entire werewolf world, but here I was nervous as a seventeen-year-old on his first date.

The door opened. I saw Ava.

The Northern Lights alliance..."

'Screw Northern Lights!" Tyler's emotions flowed through our connection. "Boss, if you let politics destroy your happiness, you'll regret it forever.

After cutting the link, I sat alone in the empty study, his words echoing in my head. Maybe he was right. Maybe I was overcomplicating everything.

Eleven o'clock brought a decision. I gathered up the files, turned off the desk lamp, walked out of the study.

Passing Sophia's room, I caught fragments of her conversation through the door. "...next time will be different, I promise... I know what you need to heat... Her voice sounded strained, almost rehearsed.

I paused, frowning. This didn't sound like the blissful reconciliation she'd described earlier. More like someone desperately trying to convince themselves everything was fine.

Part of me wanted to feel relieved that maybe Jackson wasn't as perfect as she believed. But mostly I just felt... empty. Should I be sad my daughter was struggling? Or glad she might finally see through his act?

Instead of heading for the garage, I went straight to the manor's back door. Driving to the northern villa would take an hour. Running there in wolf form? Twenty minutes.

The night air was cold but helped clear my head. I stripped off my shirt, let moonlight wash over my skin, then let the change begin. Bones reshaping, muscles extending-every transformation made me feel more powerful.

Seconds later, a massive black wolf stood in the moonlight. My senses exploded- could hear wind three miles away, smell every night creature, feel the earth's pulse.

This was Alpha King power.

I started running, paws almost silent on the forest floor. Trees flew past, Silverpeak's night unfolding beneath my feet. This was my territory, my kingdom, every inch under my protection.

But right now I only wanted to protect one person.

On the way, I tried reaching Ava through our golden bond. The connection was weak, but I caught her emotional state. Complex mix of pain, loneliness, and something confused I couldn't identify.

What was she doing?

Forest became a green blur around me, heartbeat getting faster. Maybe Tyler wanted.

was right. Maybe I should stop torturing myself and just go after what I Political alliances? Trade deals? Screw all of it. Nothing mattered more than Ava.

When the villa's lights appeared ahead, my heart nearly jumped out of my chest. I stopped at the tree line, let the change reverse. Bones readjusting, muscles contracting-seconds later I was human again.

Threw my clothes back on, took a deep breath, walked toward the front door. Lights were on inside, but dim.

My hand actually shook when I knocked. Ridiculous-I was the Alpha King, ruler of

the entire werewolf world, but here I was nervous as a seventeen-year-old on his first date.

The door opened. I saw Ava.