Marked by the Alpha Team (Luna Merrick) novel Chapter 113

Chapter 113

Luna’s POV

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I was still thinking about that strange girl from the locker room when I finally left the shanging room. No matter how hat tried to focus on something else, her words kept replaying in my head over and over again, and every time I remembere the way she had looked at me like I was some extremely stupid idiot, my stomach twisted into another knot.

She had spoken with so much confidence that it was almost impossible to dismiss what she had said. The worst part was t she had acted like everything was obvious, like every werewolf naturally knew how to control their strength and abilities, and I was somehow the only person struggling with something so basic.

I hated how much that bothered me because deep down, I knew she wasn’t entirely wrong. Just yesterday. I had nearly exposed myself while running alone, and earlier today, I had practically thrown myself to the ground to stop myself from sprinting like some kind of superhuman. The intercollegiate meet was only a few days away, and instead of focusing on winning, I was spending all my energy worrying about how not to accidentally ruin my entire life.

If I lost control in front of hundreds of people, there would be no explaining it away. My scholarship would be gone, my future would be gone, and somehow I doubted the school would appreciate hearing that the reason I ran like a rocket was because I had recently discovered I was part werewolf.

I adjusted the strap of my gym bag on my shoulder and slowly made my way through the sports building. Athletes moved through the hallways in groups, some laughing loudly after practice while others looked exhausted enough to collapse where they stood.

Normally, I enjoyed being here. Sports buildings always felt familiar to me. They smelled like sweat, effort, competition, a determination. They reminded me of why I had worked so hard for so many years. Today, though, I barely noticed any of My mind was too occupied with my own problems, and every scenario that played through my head ended badly.

Either I lost control during the race and exposed myself, or I held back so much that I performed terribly and lost my cholarship anyway, and even if I didn’t immediately lose my scholarship, I would disappoint the school, and would have one leg out anyway. Neither option sounded appealing, so the more I thought about it, the more trapped I felt. It was like every path ahead of me ended in disaster, and I had absolutely no idea how I was supposed to fix any of it.

Mate

Moon’s voice suddenly rang inside my head so loudly that I almost stopped walking.

mmediately afterward, a familiar scent drifted toward me. My body recognized it before my bram rully processed it as warm, comforting, and strangely calming despite everything going on inside my head. I looked up automically collowing the scent until my eyes landed on a familiar figure standing near one of the exits.

Orson

He was dressed in his football jersey and carrying a duffel bag over one shoulder From the way his hatt looked sich messy and the faint sheen of sweat still visible on his skin. It was obvious he had just finished practice. The more di padeves met, I realized he had already noticed me

For a few seconds, neither of us moved He simply stood there looking atine while I stood there moking back him the distance between us want very large but somehow it felt much bigger Mayhem was because of everything that had happened recently The last time we had all been together had ended wub Crim pa hing back unnd his Lact was awried in blood. Things had been awkward ever ames and judging by the uncrtam took on chrion’s Cave he was. to approach me now

u sups how

For a moment, I considered pretending I hadn’t seen him and continuing on my way. It probably weak to ive been case! Then agam, standing there staring at each other from across the trailway want exactly helping either Eventually. Edevah st

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one of us needed to act like a normal person before the situation became even stranger than it already was. So I raised my hand and gave him a small wave.

The reaction was immediate, and a small smile appeared on his face. It wasn’t a huge smile, but it was enough to soften his features. Almost immediately he started walking toward me, and I stayed where was waiting for him. As he got closer. however, I noticed something change. The smile slowly disappeared, replaced by a slight frown. His eyes dropped downward, and when I followed his gaze. I immediately realized what had caught his attention.

My knee, the scrape from my fall earlier was still visible.

Of course that would be the first thing he noticed. By the time he reached me, he wasn’t smiling anymore. Instead, he ooked genuinely concerned, which was honestly a little surprising.

What happened?” he asked immediately. His eyes remained fixed on my injured knee. “How did you get hurt?”

stared at him for a second before rolling my eyes dramatically. Of all the ways this conversation could have started, that vasn’t the one I had expected.

Long time no see to you too, Orion,” I said dryly.

faint look of embarrassment crossed his face immediately. He rubbed the back of his neck for a second before looking

ack at me.

It hasn’t been that long,” he replied quietly. “It’s only been a few days.”

A few days?” I repeated. “Exactly, and most people usually start with hello.”

fis expression softened slightly, and for a brief second he almost looked guilty. “Hello, Luna,” he said.

Much better.”

Despite everything, I noticed the corner of his mouth twitch slightly, like he was trying not to smile. Unfortunately, his ttention immediately returned to my knee. “You still haven’t answered my question.”

let out an exaggerated sigh. “I fell.”

fis eyebrows rose. “You fell?”

Yes

་

During practice? be asked.

nodded “Yes

And that’s the whole story he asked again

I immediately pointed a finger at him pores give me that look

“What look he asked innocently

That look where you’ve already decided I’m dying termit

He unmediately fragud ignorance I didn’t say your were lyng

“You didn’t have t

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ya mument, neither of us said anything. Then Orion crossed his arms and looked at me carefully Tell me the truth.” he Laid Is somebody bothering you?”

1 blinked. “What?

“Someone on your team,” he clarified. “Are they giving you trouble? Are your teammates bullying you in any way?

The question caught me so off guard that I actually laughed. “Do I seriously look like someone who gets bullied?”

Orion shrugged. “Anyone can get bullied.”

I stared at him, wondering if he was really being serious, and he just stared back like he was being deadass.

Eventually, I shook my head. “No, nobody is bullying me.”

“Then what happened?” he asked again.

I rolled my eyes again. “I literally just told you I fell. Why is that so hard for you to believe?”

He still looked unconvinced, but after repeating the explanation a few more times, he finally seemed willing to let the matte go, at least partially. Unfortunately, once that topic was settled, my real problem immediately returned to the front of my mind.

My speed, my strength, and my complete lack of control. The upcoming meet felt closer with every passing second, and the panic I had been trying to suppress all day suddenly started creeping back into my chest.

Tell him.‘ Moon’s voice appeared inside my head again.

Not a chance.’ I immediately refused, but of course, she would insist.

I said tell him you idiot.”

frowned. ‘I don’t need to tell him.’

Yes, you do. It’s not like you have a better option.‘

The annoying thing was that she was probably right. I hated admitting it, but she was. Ever since all of this werewolf nadness had started, I had been trying to handle everything myself. Every time I considered asking one of my matey for help, I immediately talked myself out of it. I didn’t want to depend on them. I didn’t want to become one more complication in their lives, and I definitely didn’t want them becoming another distraction in mine, but at this point, I was unning out of options.

My interaction with the strange girl in the locker room had made one thing very clear, which was that the other werewolves n this school would sooner or later start to notice that something was wrong with me, if I coukht control myself soon the Consequences would be far worse than a few embarrassing rumors

I must have looked troubled because Onion’s expression changed immediately. What is the asked gently

I looked away, not sure how to respond I felt genuinely nervous because how was even going to start?

Orion remained silent for several seconds. He didn’t pressure me or try to demand an answer. He simply waited for me to be ready to tell him what was on my mind

“You know you can tell me anything right?” he said eventually

The words were simple, but they caught me off guard, and honestly, outside of when he was upset. Orion did seem like the perfectly reasonable choice to ask for advice I glanced around the hallway, and there were students everywhere The other

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athletes passed by every few seconds, so this definitely wasn’t the place for the conversation I needed to have.

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Finally, I looked back at him. “Is there somewhere private we can talk?” I asked. “I mean somewhere nobody can overhear

us?”

Orion immediately nodded. “Yeah sure. If you don’t mind, you can come to my office.

The suggestion immediately made me hesitate. Going anywhere private with one of the football players I’m being accused of trying to seduce was practically begging for another rumor to start. My reputation was already hanging by a thread. If somebody spotted me entering Orion’s office, I could practically imagine tomorrow’s gossip posts already forming.

Unfortunately, my alternatives weren’t exactly great either. I couldn’t solve this problem alone anymore. Sooner or later. I was going to have to trust somebody. I looked at Orion again, and eventually, I let out a long sigh.

Fine,” I said.

Relief immediately appeared on his face, but I brushed it off. “But if people start spreading rumors again,” I warned, >ointing a finger at him, “I’m blaming you, and you’ll have to take responsibility.”

To my surprise, Orion actually smiled. “I’ll be more than happy to.”

shook my head and adjusted my bag again before falling into step beside him.

AD