All Chapters of Marked By Three Kings: Chapter 21 - Chapter 30

_Dahlia’s POV_I woke up to a soft knock on my door. Before I could even respond, Knox walked in carrying a breakfast tray.“Good morning,” he said, setting it down on my nightstand. Then he took one look at my face and frowned. “Did you not sleep at all?”I immediately looked away, hoping he couldn’t see how flustered I was. How could I possibly explain that no, I didn’t sleep, because Jace Blackmoor had spent the entire night sexting me? That he’d spammed me with pictures of his abs, his chest, his arms, and yes, more pictures of his very obvious arousal in those grey sweatpants?And worse – so much worse – I’d loaded every single one of them. Even knowing what they were. Even telling myself I absolutely should not click on them.*We have a problem,* Mena had said around 3 AM.*Just one?* I’d thought back hysterically.My face grew redder just thinking about it. About the way my heart had raced with each new photo. About how I’d stared at his body like some kind of pervert myself. A

_Dahlia’s POV_I arrived at the library looking like I’d just finished watching a sad dog movie. You know, the ones where the dog dies at the end? Knox is already there, sitting at our usual table with his perfectly organized notes and color-coded highlighters. Of course he was. The guy probably arrives everywhere fifteen minutes early just to alphabetize things.“Your leg still hurting?” he asked, looking up from his notebook.I shake my head and slump into the chair across from him, pulling out my books with all the enthusiasm of a wet sock. “No. I’m fine.”He stares at me for a second. I can feel his eyes on my face, probably noticing that I look like I got into a fight and lost.“Which chapter are we doing today?” I asked, flipping through my textbook without actually seeing any of the words.Knox tilts his head. “What’s wrong?”“Nothing. I just want to study.”He opens his mouth like he’s going to push it, but then he just nodded and started explaining some equation that might a

_Dahlia’s POV_I was terrified out of my mind.My heart was pounding so hard I could feel it in my throat, in my ears, in every single nerve ending in my body. Zayne’s overwhelming scent engulfed me completely, dark and dangerous with hints of pine and something metallic, like steel or blood. It filled my lungs with every breath, making my head spin and my wolf react in ways I didn’t understand.*Mate,* Mena whimpered, caught between the desperate urge to submit and the instinct to run. *Mate, mate, mate—**I know!* I thought frantically.Zayne still had my face cupped in his hand, his eyes boring into mine with an intensity that made me feel like he could see straight through to my soul. His body was so close to mine now, close enough that I could feel the heat radiating off him, close enough that I was practically pressed against the wall behind me.I opened my mouth to speak, to say something, anything that might break this suffocating tension.Nothing came out.My voice had comple

_Dahlia’s POV_When Jace pulled up to his mansion, my jaw literally dropped.The place was massive, like something out of a movie. Modern architecture with huge glass windows, perfectly manicured lawns, and a fountain in the circular driveway that probably cost more than my car. Everything about it screamed wealth and luxury.*This is where he lives?* Mena breathed in awe.*Apparently,* I thought back, trying not to look too impressed.I wanted to explore every inch of it. I wanted to run through those perfectly trimmed gardens and peek into every window and see what kind of life someone like Jace lived. But I forced myself to stay calm and collected, hiding my enthusiasm behind a mask of suspicion.“Why did you bring me here?” I asked, eyeing him carefully. “Was the ice cream some kind of bribe?”Jace turned off the car and gave me that slow, lazy smile that made my stomach flip. “If I wanted to bribe you, Dahlia, I have much more effective ways of doing it.”His tone was so suggesti

_Dahlia’s POV_I was still smiling when Jace dropped me off at school the next morning. My stomach was full of the amazing carbonara he’d made last night, and I’d actually slept well on his ridiculously comfortable guest bed. He’d been a perfect gentleman about it too – no pushing, no sneaking into my room, just a goodnight kiss on my forehead that had made my heart do weird things.*That was nice,* Mena said contentedly.*It was,* I agreed.But my good mood disappeared the second I spotted Knox waiting by my usual parking spot.His arms were crossed over his chest, and even from a distance, I could see the tension in his shoulders. His honey-brown eyes were locked on Jace’s car, and his jaw was clenched so tight I was surprised his teeth didn’t crack.Oh no. He was pissed.“Uh oh,” Jace said, clearly noticing Knox too. “Looks like someone’s in trouble.”“This is your fault,” I muttered, unbuckling my seatbelt.“My fault?” He sounded genuinely offended. “I fed you, entertained you, an