Ava’s POV

Jackson’s face went white as a sheet. He dropped his hands and stepped back like I’d burned him.

“Bullshit,” he spat, but doubt flickered across his face.

“You never knew me, Jackson. I don’t need lies for protection. You just can’t stand that someone could make me forget the pain your pathetic mark causes.”

The warriors exchanged glances nearby, whispering among themselves.

“The Alpha King?” one scoffed in disbelief. “No way. He wouldn’t touch damaged goods.”

“She’s bluffing,” another laughed. “Blake wouldn’t piss on his future son-in-law’s territory.”

Jackson’s expression twisted ugly as he advanced again.

“You think you’re clever?” he snarled, teeth bared. “Dropping the Alpha King’s name like some magic shield?”

His hand locked around my throat again, tighter this time, fingers digging into flesh.

“Listen up, Ava. Your father’s as good as dead. Take my offer, or lose everything—not just daddy dearest.”

As black spots danced in my vision and my lungs screamed for air, my wolf thrashed wildly beneath my skin. Suddenly, a wave of power hit the terrace like a tsunami, making every wolf present shake like leaves in a storm.

Alpha aura—thick enough to choke on—flooded the space. Jackson’s hand flew off my throat as if yanked by an invisible force. He whipped around, face draining of all color.

Blake stood at the entrance, his massive frame outlined by moonlight, eyes burning gold like molten metal. He didn’t make a sound; he didn’t need to. His mere existence in the space was enough to silence everyone. The power radiating from him went beyond mere Alpha—this was the Alpha King, the supreme ruler of all packs.

“Care to explain what I’m seeing, Mr. Hayes?” Blake asked, his voice deceptively soft.

Jackson immediately ducked his head, body instinctively backing away. Future son-in-law or not, he was nothing before the Alpha King.

“Alpha King, just… handling a personal matter,” Jackson stammered.

Blake’s eyes flicked from Jackson to the angry red marks blooming on my neck, then back to Jackson’s face. His expression remained neutral, but the pressure in the air intensified until breathing became difficult.

“Strange way to handle ‘personal matters’ in my neutral territory,” Blake observed, each word like a silk-wrapped knife.

Jackson’s face cycled between terror and embarrassment as he realized how badly he’d messed up in front of his future father-in-law.

“I apologize, Alpha King. Lost my temper,” he muttered.

Blake gave a slight nod, seemingly accepting the apology, though his eyes remained cold. He extended his hand toward me.

“Ava, come here,” he commanded.

My feet moved almost on their own, pulled by something deeper than conscious thought. His Alpha aura created a shield between Jackson and me, solid as steel though completely invisible. Through it all, Blake’s face remained perfectly composed, but everyone felt the raw power rolling off him in waves.

“The gathering continues inside,” Blake told Jackson and the others. “I’m sure you have guests to attend to.”

Though spoken politely, no one missed the dismissal. Jackson hesitated, then nodded respectfully.

“How did you know to come here?” I asked, voice barely audible. Was he here for me? The thought made my chest tight with hope.

It wasn’t a question, and I couldn’t tell if he was pissed or impressed.

“It worked, didn’t it?” I tried for confident, but my voice betrayed me with a slight tremor.

The corner of his mouth twitched. “Indeed it did. Though now you’ve started something you might not be able to finish.”

His hand dropped from my face, and I immediately felt cold, like someone had thrown open a window in winter. He stepped back, creating proper distance between us. My wolf whined, already missing his warmth.

“Ava,” he said, voice now filled with authority. The way my name rolled off his tongue sent shivers down my spine. “We won’t be meeting again. Understood?”

The words hit me like a sucker punch. I stood there, stunned and hurt in a way that made no sense. We’d met exactly twice—why did this feel like losing something important?

I swallowed the lump forming in my throat and managed a curt nod.

“Understood,” I whispered, hating how small my voice sounded.

He held my gaze a moment longer, something flashing in his storm-gray eyes that I couldn’t read. Then he turned and walked away, his broad shoulders silhouetted against the silver moonlight.

I stood frozen, watching him leave. It was bizarre to feel this hollow after barely knowing someone, but his absence left me cold as if I’d suddenly lost a coat in a blizzard.

My wolf howled in protest, but I shoved her down. I had a father to save from execution. I couldn’t afford to moon over an Alpha who’d just made it crystal clear he wanted nothing to do with me.

I squared my shoulders, took a deep breath that still carried traces of his scent, and headed back inside. There were still Northern delegates with loose lips to question, and I wasn’t leaving until I got what I came for—no matter what Blake thought of me.