Chapter 13
\nMarked By the Pureblood Alpha (Deanna and Luis) novel Chapter 13<\/p>\n
That whole mess brought the party to an carly, awkward end.<\/p>\n
Not long after, I got summoned to the family hall.<\/p>\n
21<\/p>\n
44<\/p>\n
+10 Free Coins<\/p>\n
Philip was pacing back and forth, shoulders tight, hands clasped behind him like he was holding himself back from blowing up. His Alpha presence filled the room, heavy enough to make the air feel thick.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Kathryn lounged in her chair, sipping her drink with this calm, judgmental stare- like she was watching a train wreck she\u2019d seen coming a mile away.<\/p>\n
After a long silence, she abruptly placed her cup down with a sharp clink. \u201cDeanna, what were you thinking? I tried to discuss the bond, and you dragged Jake away!\u201d<\/p>\n
Her voice grew sharper with each word. \u201cThen, when I was about to toss that Dualborn out, you pulled that stunt\u2013actually making her jump into the pool? Seriously? That\u2019s the kind of foolishness even kids would mock! If you wanted her gone so badly, you should\u2019ve just launched her into the sky. Instead, she\u2019s still here, and you\u2019ve dragged Jake away like that fixes anything!\u201d<\/p>\n
Philip pointed a finger at me like I was five. \u201cTomorrow, you\u2019re apologizing to Jake!\u201d<\/p>\n
I poured myself a drink, gave it a lazy swirl, and knocked it back in one go. My voice didn\u2019t even shake. \u201cNot happening.\u201d<\/p>\n
I was done, completely done.<\/p>\n
Even if Jake stepped in tonight, what did it matter? The second Peggie needed him, he\u2019d toss me aside like always.<\/p>\n
Fine. I was done playing the fool.<\/p>\n
I put the glass down, picked up my phone, and sent the message that ended it. \u2018We\u2019re done. Engagement\u2019s off.\u2018<\/p>\n
Then I shut every door he could use to reach me.<\/p>\n
My voice stayed cool as I turned to my parents. \u201cDad, Mom, I\u2019m done with Jake. I\u2019m not chaining myself to him.\u201d<\/p>\n
1\/4<\/p>\n
20:11 Wed, Nov 5<\/p>\n
Chapter 13 Calling It Off<\/p>\n
44<\/p>\n
+10 Free Coins<\/p>\n
Philip\u2019s face went red. \u201cYou\u2019re engaged! One step away from scaling it, and you think you can just walk out? What about our Mistbane Pack\u2019s reputation?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is my life!\u201d I shot back.<\/p>\n
He stood his ground. His roar echoed through the walls. \u201cDeanna, listen well! You\u2019re the heiress of this pack. Your marriage isn\u2019t about you\u2013it\u2019s about our future!\u201d<\/p>\n
I scoffed. \u201cSpare me. You dote on Jillian. She gets your love, your money, everything. So, tell me, why should I burn my future for a family that\u2019s already chosen her?\u201d<\/p>\n
Philip\u2019s fist smashed the table, glasses rattling. \u201cUngrateful girl! You think this is your call? Unless you bring home a better mate than Jake, you\u2019re marrying him\u2013whether you like it or<\/p>\n
not!\u201d<\/p>\n
I held his stare. \u201cIf I do\u2026 you\u2019ll keep your hands out of it?\u201d<\/p>\n
Philip smirked. \u201cGo ahead and try. If you do, I\u2019ll eat my words.\u201d<\/p>\n
Fine. Challenge accepted. I didn\u2019t say it out loud, but I swore it in<\/p>\n
my<\/p>\n
head.<\/p>\n
Jake\u2019s POV:<\/p>\n
I drove Peggie straight to the hospital.<\/p>\n
While she was being checked in, her doctor, Jorge Gilbert, cornered me in the hallway. \u201cJake, you know how fragile Peggie is. What the hell were you thinking, letting her near the pool? She could\u2019ve drowned!\u201d<\/p>\n
Deanna\u2019s message, \u2018We\u2019re done now,\u2018 kept flashing in my mind like a d*mn neon sign. I couldn\u2019t shake it off.<\/p>\n
Oh, so now this is on me? Wonderful.<\/p>\n
\u201cMaybe start by doing your job,\u201d I bit out. \u201cYou\u2019re her doctor, and I pay you enough to do it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jorge\u2019s expression softened, like he pitied me. \u201cJake, you know you\u2019re the only thing keeping her holding on.\u201d<\/p>\n
I gave him a cold look. \u201cKnow your place, Jorge. If you can\u2019t stay professional, get out.\u201d<\/p>\n
I left it at that and went back to Peggie\u2019s room.<\/p>\n
2\/4<\/p>\n
20:11 Wed, Nov 5<\/p>\n
Chapter 13 Calling It Off<\/p>\n
44<\/p>\n
+10 Free Coins<\/p>\n
She was curled up against the pillows, pale but forcing a faint smile when her eyes met mine. \u201cJake\u2026 did I mess things up for you again?\u201d<\/p>\n
I stood there, holding my expression steady. \u201cYou shouldn\u2019t have come.\u201d<\/p>\n
Her voice trembled. \u201cI just wanted to make things right, I-<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m signing the bond with Deanna,\u201d I cut in.<\/p>\n
11<\/p>\n
Her smile cracked, and her eyes dimmed. \u201cSo\u2026 that\u2019s it? You\u2019re really done with me?\u201d<\/p>\n
A dull headache was beginning to set in, but I kept my tone even. \u201cI\u2019m not abandoning you, Peggie. I\u2019m just helping you get your last wish. After that\u2026 you\u2019ll need to start fresh.\u201d<\/p>\n
Her hands trembled. Then came the coughing\u2013deep, raw, and painful\u2014until she was clutching her chest.<\/p>\n
Jorge burst in, shoving past me.<\/p>\n
Thirty minutes later, he stepped out. \u201cGood news\u2013a matching heart has been found. If all goes well, she\u2019ll undergo the transplant next month. Until then, she needs absolute calm. No stress or drama. Otherwise, she won\u2019t survive it.\u201d<\/p>\n
He hesitated before adding, \u201cJake, Deanna pushed Peggie tonight. She\u2019s dangerous for her. You can\u2019t let this slide.\u201d<\/p>\n
I didn\u2019t respond. I just stared past him. \u201cFocus on keeping her alive. Text me if anything changes.\u201d<\/p>\n
Peggie\u2019s POV:<\/p>\n
The door clicked shut behind Jake.<\/p>\n
Jorge sighed as he sat by the bed. \u201cAlright. He\u2019s gone. You can stop the act now. Really, Peggie, jumping into the pool simply because Deanna told you to? What were you thinking? You could\u2019ve killed yourself.\u201d<\/p>\n
I opened my eyes slowly, my voice quiet but sharp. \u201cJorge, I can\u2019t let him leave me.\u201d<\/p>\n
He frowned, like he\u2019d heard this a hundred times.<\/p>\n
3\/4<\/p>\n
20:11 Wed, Nov 5<\/p>\n
Chapter 13 Calling It Off<\/p>\n
:<\/p>\n
&<\/p>\n
44<\/p>\n
+10 Free Coins<\/p>\n
Peggie, you\u2019re impossible, Jake and Deanna will sign that bond eventually. Why put yourself through this?<\/p>\n
I shook my head. \u201cNo\u2026 I just can\u2019t. Deanna cherished him for five years, and I\u2019ve loved him for seven. I\u2019ve fought for him more and longer than anyone. Why am I the one to walk away, simply because she was born a pureborn and I wasn\u2019t?\u201d<\/p>\n
My hands clenched into fists. My voice cracked with anger. \u201cI\u2019ve held on this long. I\u2019m not losing him to her. Not ever.\u201d<\/p>\n
20:11 Wed, Nov 5<\/p>\n
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland\u2019s breathtaking cold.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"template":"","class_list":["post-2096","chapter","type-chapter","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/icuow.top\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/chapter\/2096","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/icuow.top\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/chapter"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/icuow.top\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/chapter"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/icuow.top\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2096"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}