Chapter 236
\nMarked By the Pureblood Alpha (Deanna and Luis) novel Chapter 236<\/p>\n
**Chapter 236: A Heartbeat Too Late**<\/p>\n
**Luis\u2019s POV:**<\/p>\n
In the dim light of the alley, I spotted her crouched in the shadows, her fingers tenderly brushing the matted fur of a scrawny, filthy dog\u2014the very creature that would later be known as Puddy. The sight tugged at something deep within me, and I couldn\u2019t help but watch as she cradled the pitiful animal, her eyes filled with a mix of affection and concern.<\/p>\n
When she finally glanced up and caught my gaze, there was a moment of hesitation\u2014a brief pause where uncertainty danced in her eyes. Eventually, she stood and approached me, her demeanor a blend of nervousness and determination.<\/p>\n
\u201cUm, mister,\u201d she began, her voice barely above a whisper, \u201cdo you have any food? I want to feed the puppy.\u201d<\/p>\n
I took a moment to study her, noting the dirt smudged across her cheeks and the way her clothes hung loosely on her thin frame. Then, my gaze shifted to the dog, just as malnourished and grimy as its owner. A wave of reluctance washed over me, and I almost turned to leave, but something compelled me to reach into my pocket instead.<\/p>\n
My fingers brushed against two sausage sticks\u2014special treats crafted for werewolves like me, meant to replenish our energy in an instant.<\/p>\n
Her eyes sparkled with hope as I handed them over. \u201cThank you,\u201d she said, her voice brightening. She immediately offered one to the puppy, who eagerly devoured it.<\/p>\n
But then, an embarrassing sound broke the moment\u2014her stomach growled loudly, a reminder of her own hunger. She bit her lip, hesitating, before finally taking a small bite from the second sausage.<\/p>\n
\u201cAre you poor?\u201d I asked bluntly, my curiosity getting the better of me.<\/p>\n
Her cheeks flushed a deep crimson, and she stammered, \u201cI-I\u2019ll pay you back.\u201d In a flash, she scooped up the puppy and dashed away, a mix of shyness and embarrassment driving her escape.<\/p>\n
The fourth time our paths crossed, she wore the same faded jeans, their fabric threadbare and worn. Her hands trembled slightly as she extended something toward me\u2014a sausage, much like the ones I had given her before.<\/p>\n
\u201cI couldn\u2019t find the same brand you gave me,\u201d she explained, her voice laced with determination. \u201cSo I helped the cafeteria lady for a few days and bought another kind to pay you back.\u201d<\/p>\n
I glanced at her hands, red and raw from scrubbing dishes, and without a second thought, I took the sausage and tossed it into the nearby trash can.<\/p>\n
Her reaction was instantaneous; her eyes widened in disbelief, and fury flared across her features.<\/p>\n
\u201cHow could you do that! Do you know how many people in the world don\u2019t even have food to eat?\u201d she exclaimed, her voice rising in indignation.<\/p>\n
Tears threatened to spill from her eyes as she continued, \u201cI didn\u2019t mean to eat your sausage that day. My mom hadn\u2019t spoken to me for a week, and I was starving. I couldn\u2019t help it.\u201d<\/p>\n
At that moment, the scruffy dog leaped out from behind her, its skinny paws scratching at me as if it were trying to defend its owner. An unfamiliar emotion stirred within me\u2014something I hadn\u2019t felt in ages.<\/p>\n
I hated it.<\/p>\n
\u201cStupid,\u201d I muttered under my breath, turning away and striding off, desperate to escape the feelings she stirred in me.<\/p>\n
She turned at the sound, her expression unreadable. I could sense the tension lingering between us\u2014she was still upset about the sausage incident, I was sure of it.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat\u2019s your name?\u201d I asked, trying to bridge the chasm of silence.<\/p>\n
She remained quiet, stubbornness etched across her features.<\/p>\n
\u201cFine,\u201d I said, my tone casual. \u201cI\u2019ll just call you Sausage.\u201d<\/p>\n
Her frown deepened, and finally, she snapped, \u201cDon\u2019t call me that! My name\u2019s Diana Holt.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDiana with a D?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah, D for daylight,\u201d she replied, a hint of defiance in her voice.<\/p>\n
I maintained a neutral expression, though inwardly I was intrigued. \u201cI can take care of the dog.\u201d<\/p>\n
The moment those words left my mouth, I saw a flicker of hope ignite in Diana\u2019s glassy eyes\u2014like sunlight breaking through a stormy sky. Surprise washed over her features, and then, just like that, a radiant smile broke free, illuminating her face in a way that made my heart skip a beat.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"template":"","class_list":["post-2319","chapter","type-chapter","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/icuow.top\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/chapter\/2319","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=2319"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}