Chapter 158
\nMarked By the Pureblood Alpha (Deanna and Luis) novel Chapter 158<\/p>\n
**The Heart I Buried for You by Serene Lockwood**<\/p>\n
**Deanna\u2019s POV:**<\/p>\n
As dawn\u2019s gentle light began to filter through the slats of the blinds, the throbbing in my head felt as if a thousand tiny needles were relentlessly jabbing at my temples. It was a sensation I had come to recognize all too well.<\/p>\n
Suddenly, the shrill sound of my phone alarm pierced through the fog of my consciousness. With my eyes still tightly shut, I instinctively reached for the nightstand, but instead of the cool surface of the wood, my fingers brushed against warm, supple skin.<\/p>\n
Before I could fully process this unexpected warmth, a strong arm reached across me, deftly silencing the alarm with a practiced flick.<\/p>\n
It took a moment for reality to settle in. Slowly, I peeled my eyes open, blinking against the light.<\/p>\n
As my gaze traveled upward, I found myself staring at Luis\u2019s striking jawline, sharply defined and utterly captivating.<\/p>\n
His eyes were closed, long lashes casting delicate shadows against his cheekbones, his profile a picture of serene beauty, as it always was.<\/p>\n
And there I was, clinging to his bare, muscled chest as if it were a lifeline!<\/p>\n
That realization jolted me awake in an instant. I shot up, heart racing.<\/p>\n
The events of the previous night were a haze, a blurry montage of laughter, drinks, and a spiraling sense of freedom. But the details? Those were lost to me, shrouded in mystery.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat\u2026 you\u2026 how did this happen?\u201d I stammered, still grappling with the confusion swirling in my mind.<\/p>\n
Luis, still caught in the remnants of sleep, rolled over onto his stomach, pulling the covers closer around him as if shielding himself from the world.<\/p>\n
His back muscles rippled smoothly as he shifted, the waistband of his gray sweatpants slipping down just a fraction, revealing more of his toned physique. He looked far too relaxed, and undeniably attractive.<\/p>\n
I nudged his arm, my voice a mix of curiosity and urgency. \u201cHey, why are you here?\u201d<\/p>\n
With a hint of annoyance, he mumbled, \u201cThis is my place.\u201d<\/p>\n
A wave of anxiety washed over me. \u201cDid you do anything to me?\u201d<\/p>\n
Luis cracked open one eye, a playful smirk dancing on his lips. \u201cYou think I\u2019m that desperate?\u201d<\/p>\n
He flipped over, revealing tiny red scratches decorating his chest and arms, resembling the playful marks of a cat.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut you did remind me, Deanna, where is your self-control when you drink?\u201d<\/p>\n
Guilt surged within me, tightening my chest. I stiffened, my voice defensive as I replied, \u201cI completely blacked out!\u201d<\/p>\n
Cautiously, I ventured, \u201cDid I say anything embarrassing yesterday?\u201d<\/p>\n
Luis chuckled, a teasing glint in his eyes. \u201cYou\u2019ll have to ask yourself that.\u201d<\/p>\n
I was utterly wasted. How on earth was I supposed to know what I had said?<\/p>\n
Whatever. Forget it.<\/p>\n
\u201cDo I need a reason to drink?\u201d I shot back, glancing at the clock and realizing I was cutting it close. I snatched my bag and headed for the door.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m going to work.\u201d<\/p>\n
Just as I was about to shut the bedroom door behind me, his deep, cool voice halted me in my tracks. \u201cI\u2019ll let you go in three months.\u201d<\/p>\n
My steps faltered, and I felt an unexpected heaviness settle in my chest. Wasn\u2019t that what I had wanted all along?<\/p>\n
Turning back, I searched his face for answers. Luis\u2019s expression was inscrutable, a hint of distance lingering in his eyes.<\/p>\n
My fingers tightened around the strap of my bag, and I quietly asked, \u201cWhat made you suddenly change your mind?\u201d<\/p>\n
He glanced at me lazily, a flicker of curiosity crossing his features. \u201cDon\u2019t want it?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s not it.\u201d<\/p>\n
I was simply taken aback by how easily he seemed to agree.<\/p>\n
\u201cThen it\u2019s settled. Until then, don\u2019t go getting wasted again.\u201d<\/p>\n
Luis tossed aside the covers, still shirtless, and his long legs moved lazily as he padded toward the bathroom in his gray sweatpants.<\/p>\n
Even after he disappeared inside, I lingered at the doorway for a moment, absorbing the whirlwind of emotions swirling within me before finally stepping out into the world beyond.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"template":"","class_list":["post-2241","chapter","type-chapter","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/icuow.top\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/chapter\/2241","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=2241"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}