Marked Twice by the Alpha King

Pulling the Strings

Third Person POV

Jackson slouched against an ancient oak, hidden in the shadows of Blackwood Manor's grounds. His fingers drummed restlessly against the rough bark while his wolf paced inside him, still raw with rage. The memory of what he'd witnessed that morning played over and over-Ava wrapped in Blake's arms at the northern villa, looking tip at him like he'd hung the damn moon.

His fated mate. In his father-in-law 's bed.

Soft footsteps crunched on fallen leaves. Sophia appeared through the trees, her silk robe catching moonlight and her hair tumbling loose around her shoulders. Despite the late hour, Jackson's breath caught slightly at the sight of her- something that happened even after all this time together.

"Jackson?" Her voice softened when she spotted him. She moved closer, brushing a kiss against his cheek. "What's going on? Your message sounded urgent."

He caught her hand, intertwining their fingers with practiced ease. The familiar weight of her engagement ring pressed against his palm. I couldn't wait until morning to tell you this."

"Tell me what?" She searched his face, worry creasing her brow. "Did something happen with the negotiations?"

"It's about your dad. Jackson's thumb traced circles on the back of her hand. "Remember that northern villa you mentioned? I decided to check it out today."

Sophia's eyes widened. "You went up there?" She squeezed his hand tighter. "What did you find?"

"Your dad. With Ava." Jackson kept his voice gentle as he watched pain flash across her features. "And we're not talking training schedules, babe. They're living together. I saw him kiss her goodbye this morning like they've been doing it forever."

"No." Sophia's fingers tightened around his, her knuckles going white. "That can't be right. Dad wouldn't-

"I wish I was wrong." Jackson pulled her closer, wrapping an arm around her waist. The familiar curve of her body against his was usually comforting, but tonight it felt like holding a live wire. "But I saw them with my own eyes. She's not just teaching Lucas anymore. She's warming your father's bed."

Sophia pulled back slightly, searching his face as if looking for any sign he might be mistaken. Finding none, she pressed her forehead against his chest, her body trembling slightly.

"I thought she was just trying to save her foster father," she whispered against his shirt. "I should've known she was hiding something."

"Oh, she wants way more than just a pardon for daddy dearest." Jackson's voice carried a hint of bitter laughter as he stroked Sophia's hair. "Remember what I told you about her? Always had her eye on bigger things. When I couldn't give her the power she wanted, she found someone who could."

Tears welled in Sophia's eyes as she looked up at him. "Dad's been lying to my face. All those 'important meetings' and 'border patrols... Her voice caught. "How could he do this to us?"

Jackson cupped her face gently, thumbs brushing away the tears that threatened to fall. "I hate that you had to find out this way. But you needed to know."

Sophia turned her face to kiss his palm, then straightened her shoulders with resolve. The vulnerability in her eyes hardened into determination. "Thank you for telling me. I know exactly what I need to do now."

She stretched up to press a firm kiss to his lips before stepping back. "I'll see you tomorrow at the ceremony."

Jackson watched as she disappeared through the trees, her silk robe flowing behind her like pale water in the moonlight. Once she was gone, he allowed himself a small, satisfied smile.

Morning sunlight spilled through the tall windows of Blackwood Manor, turning dust motes into tiny stars. The great hall buzzed with activity as Northern Lights delegates swept through in their flowing silver-blue robes, their movements as graceful as water. The air crackled with anticipation for the signing ceremony that would bind the two powerful packs together.

Sophia spotted Lyra immediately. The priestess stood apart from her delegation, adjusting a ceremonial bracelet at her wrist, those famous purple eyes surveying the room with calculated interest. Since her arrival at Silverpeak, the woman had positioned herself perfectly in every setting - always within

Chapter 178. Pulling the Strings

Blake's orbit, always commanding attention without seeming to try.

It was time to set the final piece of her plan in motion.

Morning, Priestess. Sophia sidled up beside her, voice honeyed but low. Ready for the big day?".

Lyra turned, purple eyes glinting like amethysts. "Sophia. What a surprise." Her smile was practiced perfection. "You're up early."

"Couldn't sleep." Sophia leaned closer, forcing Lyra to bend slightly to hear her. "Remember what I told you about my father and that combat trainer?

Something flickered behind Lyra's careful mask-a flash of interest, maybe even jealousy. "The Shadow Creek girl. Yes, I recall."

"It's worse than I thought. Sophia's voice dropped to a near-whisper, forcing Lyra to lean even closer. "I just found out they're not just sneaking around. She's living with him up at our northern villa."

Lyra's perfectly shaped eyebrows rose a fraction-the priestess equivalent of a shocked gasp. "Living together?" She recovered quickly, straightening her already immaculate robes. “That's... unexpected.”

"The thing is, Sophia continued urgently, "Ava's not what she seems. She approached my father claiming she just wanted to save her foster father fro execution. But now? She's clearly after the crown."

"The Luna position," Lyra murmured, understanding immediately.

'Exactly. And Dad- Sophia's voice caught, genuine pain slipping through. "He's never even mentioned her to me. If it's real, why all the secrecy?"

Something hardened in Lyra's gaze. She straightened to her full height, silver hair cascading down her back like a frozen waterfall. "The signing ceremony today will have photographs after, yes? Perhaps it's time for certain... truths to come to light."

Before Sophia could answer, the great hall doors swung open with a heavy creak. Blake strode in, commanding the room without saying a word. His formal Alpha regalia gleamed with silver emblems of power-the Silverpeak wolf head prominent on his chest, ancient symbols embroidered along his sleeve cuffs. The air itself seemed to bend around him, heavy with Alpha energy that made lesser wolves lower their eyes automatically.

Sophia and Lyra stepped apart, but not before exchanging a look of perfect understanding. The trap was set.

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this is pissing me off lol

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