Marked Twice by the Alpha King

Blackwood Manor buzzed like a kicked beehive the day before the ceremony.

Delegates from different packs kept rolling in-carriage bells ringing, voices

chattering since dawn.

Tomorrow, I'd officially become Blake's Luna. For real this time. Forever.

"Ready for this, dear?" Victoria's voice came from behind me. Blake's mother

glided into the room carrying some fancy box, all grace and polish.

Honestly? Not sure I'll ever be." I turned to face her, trying to keep the shake out

of my voice. "Feels like I'm dreaming."

Victoria moved closer with that born-and-bred nobility thing she had going.

"Being Luna's not just about wearing a pretty crown," she said, polite but clearly

sizing me up. "It's serious business. I'll be watching to see if you can actually

handle it."

She said that, but something flickered in her eyes-like she'd already made up her

mind and just wasn't ready to admit it yet. Blake had told me she knew the whole

Jackson story now. Same look he'd described.

She popped open the box. Inside was this gorgeous silver-blue dress that caught

the light like captured starlight. "Traditional Luna ceremony gown. Had it specially

designed for you. Every Morgan Luna has worn some version of this dress." She

paused. "Including me."

I touched the silk, feeling the weight of all that history. "Victoria, I'm scared I'm notnoveldrama

good enough for all this tradition. Not good enough for Blake's choice."

"Hmm." She studied me like I was a puzzle. "That remains to be seen. But..." Her

voice softened just a hair. "Blake's never been one to rush into things. If he

picked you, there's got to be a good reason."

The door burst open. Sophia and Ella walked in, arms full of wrapped gifts.

"My girl's about to be Luna!" Ella shouted, bouncing on her toes. "From scrappy

little fighter to Alpha Queen. Look at you go!"

I couldn't help laughing. "Keep talking like that, and I'll stick you in the back row

tomorrow."

"Like hell you will! I'm sitting front and center to watch this whole thing!" Ella

dumped her gifts on the table and wrapped me in a bear hug. "Seriously though,

Ava. I'm so proud of you."

Sophia stepped forward with a small velvet box. "I've got something for you."

I opened it and nearly choked. Inside was this incredible necklace-silver chain

with emeralds that matched my eyes perfectly.

"Sophia, this is way too much..."

"It's the Morgan family necklace," Sophia explained, her voice going all serious.

"Every Morgan woman wears it on her wedding day. Dad was gonna give it to me

for the Jackson wedding, but... She paused, then smiled. "I had it redesigned with

the emeralds. It belongs to the real Morgan Luna now."

My throat closed up. "Sophia..."

"My choice," she said firmly. "You saved my life. Now you're marrying my dad,

becoming Lucas's mom. This necklace is yours."

Ella was tearing up beside us. "Damn it, you two are gonna make me ruin my

makeup."

The three of us hugged tight. Six months ago, I never would've imagined this

moment.

"Speaking of changes," Ella's voice got wobbly, "I need to tell you guys

something. After the wedding, I'm heading to the human world with my

sister. Her modeling career needs an assistant, and I want to see what's out

there."

My heart dropped. "Ella..."

"Hey, don't get all weepy oit me," Ella said warmly. "It's not forever. Just an

adventure."

I've got news too," Sophia jumped in. I'm going to Northern Lights to study with

Lyra. She invited me to be her apprentice, leam priestess work. I've always been

curious about those old rituals."

"So after tomorrow, we're all splitting up?" I asked.

"Just for now," Ella said firmly. "We'll always be friends, no matter where we end

up."

Late afternoon brought the Northern Lights delegation. Lyra swept into the manor

with that signature grace, silver hair catching the sunset like spun moonbeams.

"Ava." She approached carrying a tiny crystal bottle. "Moonlight blessing. Northern

Lights tradition. Use this during tomorrow's ceremony for extra protection from the

Moon Goddess."

"Thanks, Lyra." I took the bottle, noticing something sad in her purple eyes. "You

okay?"

She went quiet for a bit, then said, "Ava, did you know I had a fated mate once?

An older man, like yours."

I stared at her. "You had a fated mate? Everyone says you never found one."

Lyra's laugh came out bitter. "Found him. Rejected him."

"Why?" I asked softly.

"He was human," Lyra's voice got distant. "Back then-before cars and phones

became common-werewolves barely tolerated humans. I thought our worlds were

too different. She sighed. "If I'd just waited twenty years... times changed. Wish

I'd had more guts back then."

I felt the pain in her words. "Is it too late now?"

"Who knows?" she said quietly. "Maybe. Maybe some mistakes can't be fixed."

Blake's POV

Men's prep work was usually simple, but tonight felt different. I stood in my study

with Lucas, Tyler, and William, going over tomorrow's ceremony details one last

time.

"Dad, I'm so excited!" Lucas bounced on his toes, practically vibrating. "I get to

carry the family necklace, right? The

Ava?"

ophia redesigned for

"That's right, little wolf." I ruffled his dark hair,

William clapped my shoulder. "Blake, I still don't know how to thank you for

everything. Not just clearing my name, but welcoming Ava into your family.

Giving her the love she deserves."

"She chose me too," I replied. "I'm the lucky one here."

Tyler cleared his throat. "Boss, latest report on the Hayes cleanup. Remaining

family members are cooperating. Most claim they knew nothing about the

conspiracy."

"Keep monitoring, but treat them fairly, I instructed. "We're not looking for

revenge, just security,'

When night fell, I found myself on the balcony overlooking the manor

grounds. Tomorrow would change everything-not just for bla

but for both our packs. The alliance between Silverpeak and Shadow Creek would

be sealed through our bond.

"Nervous?"

I turned to find Ava walking up, glowing in the moonlight. My chest tightened with

love and anticipation.

"About tomorrow? Nah." I pulled her into my arms. "About deserving you? Every

damn day."

She laughed, standing on her tiptoes to

Too late to back out now, Alpha King."

"Never," I murmured against her lips. "Ava, about tomorrow's ceremony. I've got

some special surprises planned,"

"What kind of surprises?"

"You'll see. I smiled mysteriously. "But I promise they'll be perfect."

She leaned into me as we stood there, looking out over our territory.

"Blake," she said quietly, "Lyra told me something today. About her past."

"Yeah?

"She had a human fated mate once. Rejected him because of the times." Ava's

voice was

thoughtful. "She seemed really torn up about it."

I considered this. "Maybe we can help her find him. After the ceremony, when

things settle down."

"You'd do that?"

"She helped save your father. It's the least we can do."

Ava smiled at me-that brilliant smile that made everything else fade away. "I love

you, Blake Morgan."

"Love you too, future Luna Rivers-Morgan."