Marked Twice by the Alpha King

Not Let It Take Hold

Blake's POV

Her riding me, taking control. Tlands braced on my chest, hair falling around her shoulders, moving above me like she owned me.

Watch me, she'd command, just like she'd watched me tonight. "See what I do to you."

She'd know exactly how to make me lose it, would slow down to torture me, then speed up right when I thought I couldn't take anymore. She'd love seeing me fall apart underneath her.

"You like this?" she'd lean down to whisper. “Like me in charge?"

"Hell yes," I'd admit, because it was true. Seeing her confident and in control was the sexiest thing in the world.

She'd change angles, find that perfect spot that made us both go crazy. When she hit it, we'd both moan from how good it felt.

I was right there, every muscle tensed. The imaginary Ava kept driving me toward madness-her voice, her movements, the love in her eyes...

"Come for me, Blake," she'd say. "Show me what I do to you."

That pushed me over.

I exploded, hot cum hitting the tile wall in waves, my groans echoing off the bathroom walls. I had to bite down to keep quiet-didn't want to wake her up. My whole body shook, pleasure shooting through every nerve ending.

Ava..." I groaned her name as I came.

When it was over, I slumped against the wall, watching my release wash down the drain. Let out a long breath, seeing all that evidence disappear.

I took a few minutes to clean up, get my breathing back to normal. When I was done, I turned off the shower, wrapped a towel around my waist, and faced the mirror again.

I didn't recognize the guy looking back at me.

Was this really Blake Morgan? The calm, controlled Alpha King? The most powerful man in the werewolf world?

I'd changed... completely lost to her, and I wasn't sure I could find my way back.

Here I was, ruler of all werewolves, jerking off in a shower thinking about a Shadow Creek warrior. If the other Alphas could see me now, what would they think? If the Council saw their Alpha King like this...

But you know what? I didn't give a damn.

I didn't care how pathetic I looked, didn't care if this wasn't dignified. Ava Rivers had gotten into my head, my body, my everything.

I was completely gone for her.

I snuck back to the bedroom. Ava was still out cold, curled up small under the covers, looking like she needed protecting.

I slipped in beside her, pulled her close. She automatically curved into me, her small hand grabbing my arm like an anchor.

"Blake... she mumbled my name in her sleep, voice soft as cotton.

I kissed the top of her head, held her tighter. Her warmth, her scent, the weight of her against me-it was better than any drug.

This was what I wanted. Every night like this, every morning waking up with her in my arms.

I closed my eyes, let her fill up all my senses. With her next to me, I finally drifted off to sleep.

Chapter 176. Not Let It Take Hold

Ava's POV

Sunlight crept through the curtains, painting warm stripes across the bed. I blinked awake to find myself still wrapped in Blake's arms, his chest rising and falling against my back. His scent-pine, rain, and something distinctly him-filled my lungs with each breath. I snuggled closer, not ready for this moment to end.

His arm tightened around my waist. Not asleep after all.

"Hey, he marmured against my hair, voice rough with sleep.

I turned to face him, finding those blue-gray eyes already watching me.

Something about that early-morning gaze-still soft around the edges but completely focused on me-made my heart stumble.noveldrama

"Hi yourself, I whispered back, fighting a ridiculous smile.

He traced my cheekbone with his thumb, a touch so light it almost tickled. 'Sleep okay?"

*Better than I have in days. The confession slipped out before I could stop it.

The corner of his mouth quirked up. "Me too."

We lay there for a while, just breathing together in the quiet. I could've stayed like that-all day, but reality had other plans.

"Council meeting," Blake finally sighed, reluctance heavy in his voice. "Can't get out of it."

"Duty calls," I said, trying not to sound disappointed.

'I'd rather stay here. His palm slid down my arm, leaving goosebumps in its wake. "Just you and me. Tell the whole world to go to hell.”

I laughed. “The big bad Alpha King, hiding from his responsibilities?"

"For you? In a heartbeat. He pressed a kiss to my forehead. "This Northern Lights circus will wrap up soon. Promise."

He untangled himself from the sheets and stood, stretching. Morning light caught the planes of his back, highlighting old scars and muscle. My mouth went dry watching him. Some primal part of me still couldn't believe this man-this powerful, dangerous man-had been mine last night.

We dressed quietly, stealing glances at each other like teenagers. I'd just finished pulling my hair into some semblance of order when his arms circled me from behind, tugging me against his chest.

"This isn't over, he murmured against my ear. "What we started."

I leaned into him, letting my head fall back against his shoulder. "Good."

He walked me to the door, fingers laced with mine. Just when I thought he was leaving, he spun around and hauled me against him, mouth crashing into mine. This wasn't a polite goodbye kiss-this was claiming, marking, promising. His hands framed my face, thumbs stroking my cheeks as he poured everything he couldn't say into that kiss.

When he finally pulled back, we were both breathing hard.

"Wait for me," he said, voice dropped to that growl that made my toes curl.

I nodded, not trusting myself to speak.

He backed away, eyes still locked on mine until he reached the trees. Then he turned and disappeared into the shadows.

Seconds later, a massive black wolf burst from the underbrush. Even in this form, I'd recognize him anywhere-midnight fur rippling over powerful muscle, eyes flashing gold as he glanced back at me once before racing away.

I stayed in the doorway long after he'd gone, fingers pressed to my lips where I could still feel the heat of his kiss. Part of me wanted to dance around the room like some lovesick idiot. A tiny voice in my head-born from old wounds-tried to raise doubts, but this time I didn't let it take hold.

Chapter 176: Not Let It Take Hold

Time to stop looking back and start looking forward. Whatever challenges the outside world threw our way-politics, priestesses, prejudice – we'd face them together.

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