Marked by the Alpha Team (Luna Merrick) novel Chapter 149

Chapter 149

Chapter 149

Third-person POV

95

Knox couldn’t believe the words had actually left his mouth. Offering Luna the chance to stay overnight in his cabin, his private sanctuary where he rarely let anyone in, felt like stepping off a cliff without looking down. He knew damn well he was barely able to keep his hands to himself. The attraction between them crackled in the air like static before a storm, and it wasn’t one-sided because Luna’s face was literally pink, a flush that spread across her cheeks and down her neck, and she kept avoiding direct eye contact, her gaze darting to the floor, the walls, or her empty beer can.

Every small movement she made in his oversized shirt only heightened the tension. The hem brushed her thighs, and the collar slipped slightly off one shoulder, revealing smooth skin that made his jaw tighten.

He didn’t want to cross any lines with her. Unlike his friends, who seemed more willing to lean into the mate bond without hesitation, Knox had already decided he wasn’t going to mark her or claim her. As far as he was concerned, Luna was way too innocent for someone like him, someone carrying scars that ran deeper than the ink covering them, and someone who preferred his peace over complications. She deserved better than the darkness he carried.

He wasn’t much of a talker, especially with someone he didn’t know well, so after his offer, he stayed quiet, focusing intently on the half-empty can in his hand. The cool metal grounded him as he took slow sips, the bitter taste a welcome distraction.

His eyes scanned the small cabin floor, mentally mapping out the best spot to sleep. The wooden planks were hard and unforgiving, but there was no way he could share the bed with Luna. He might be crazy in many ways, shaped by a past that left him detached and guarded, but he wasn’t that crazy, and sharing a bed would test limits he had no intention of breaking tonight. The single mattress was modest, pushed against the wall, and the room’s compact layout left little room for distance. He spotted a clearer area near the table, calculating if he could drag a spare blanket from the wardrobe without making things even more awkward.

Just as he was finalizing his plan, Luna’s voice broke the silence. “Where are you going to sleep?”

Knox looked up at her, meeting those wide eyes that still held traces of the day’s exhaustion mixed with something warmer, more uncertain. He kept his expression neutral, his voice flat as always. “I’ll find somewhere to sleep on the floor. Don’t worry about it.”

Luna immediately didn’t like the idea. It showed in the way her brows furrowed and her posture straightened on the edge of the bed. This was his space, his quiet retreat in the woods, and the cabin was small enough that. finding a truly comfortable spot on the floor seemed nearly impossible. The thought of him cramped on the hardwood while she took the only bed felt wrong, especially after everything he’d done for her today, starting. the training under the waterfall, carrying her back, and having patience with her questions and fears. She quickly shook her head.

“We can share the bed,” she said, the words tumbling out before she could second-guess them. “I don’t mind.”

As soon as the offer left her lips, Luna expected a wave of regret to crash over her. She had just invited Knox, the same Knox whose naked form was still seared into her memory, into bed with her, but to her surprise, no regret came. Instead, a thrill ran through her. She wanted him to move from that chair. She wanted the closeness, even knowing her hands might not stay still if the opportunity arose. The beer had loosened something inside her, or maybe it was the mate bond or the lingering adrenaline from the day. Whatever it

1/4

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8:49 Tue, Jun 30

Chapter 149

Chapter 149

Third-person POV

356 vouchers

Knox couldn’t believe the words had actually left his mouth. Offering Luna the chance to stay overnight in his cabin, his private sanctuary where he rarely let anyone in, felt like stepping off a cliff without looking down. He knew damn well he was barely able to keep his hands to himself. The attraction between them crackled in the air like static before a storm, and it wasn’t one-sided because Luna’s face was literally pink, a flush that spread across her cheeks and down her neck, and she kept avoiding direct eye contact, her gaze darting to the floor, the walls, or her empty beer can.

Every small movement she made in his oversized shirt only heightened the tension. The hem brushed her thighs, and the collar slipped slightly off one shoulder, revealing smooth skin that made his jaw tighten.

He didn’t want to cross any lines with her. Unlike his friends, who seemed more willing to lean into the mate bond without hesitation, Knox had already decided he wasn’t going to mark her or claim her. As far as he was concerned, Luna was way too innocent for someone like him, someone carrying scars that ran deeper than the ink covering them, and someone who preferred his peace over complications. She deserved better than the darkness he carried.

He wasn’t much of a talker, especially with someone he didn’t know well, so after his offer, he stayed quiet, focusing intently on the half-empty can in his hand. The cool metal grounded him as he took slow sips, the bitter taste a welcome distraction.

His eyes scanned the small cabin floor, mentally mapping out the best spot to sleep. The wooden planks were hard and unforgiving, but there was no way he could share the bed with Luna. He might be crazy in many ways, shaped by a past that left him detached and guarded, but he wasn’t that crazy, and sharing a bed would test limits he had no intention of breaking tonight. The single mattress was modest, pushed against the wall, and the room’s compact layout left little room for distance. He spotted a clearer area near the table, calculating if he could drag a spare blanket from the wardrobe without making things even more awkward.

Just as he was finalizing his plan, Luna’s voice broke the silence. “Where are you going to sleep?”

Knox looked up at her, meeting those wide eyes that still held traces of the day’s exhaustion mixed with something warmer, more uncertain. He kept his expression neutral, his voice flat as always. “I’ll find somewhere to sleep on the floor. Don’t worry about it.”

Luna immediately didn’t like the idea. It showed in the way her brows furrowed and her posture straightened on the edge of the bed. This was his space, his quiet retreat in the woods, and the cabin was small enough that finding a truly comfortable spot on the floor seemed nearly impossible. The thought of him cramped on the hardwood while she took the only bed felt wrong, especially after everything he’d done for her today, starting the training under the waterfall, carrying her back, and having patience with her questions and fears. She quickly shook her head.

“We can share the bed,” she said, the words tumbling out before she could second-guess them. “I don’t mind.”

As soon as the offer left her lips, Luna expected a wave of regret to crash over her. She had just invited Knox. the same Knox whose naked form was still seared into her memory, into bed with her, but to her surprise, no regret care. Instead, a thrill ran through her. She wanted him to move from that chair. She wanted the closeness, even knowing her hands might not stay still if the opportunity arose. The beer had loosened something inside her, or maybe it was the mate bond or the lingering adrenaline from the day. Whatever it

1/4

alt

8:49 Tue, Jun 30

Chapter 149

was, the pull felt undeniable.

Knox stared at her like she had completely lost her mind. His usually impassive face shifted, his eyebrows rising slightly in genuine disbelief. He set his can down on the table with a deliberate clink and leaned forward. “Do you really not know what’s happening right now between us?” he asked, his voice low and ed with warning. “Or are you trying to act clueless?”

Luna knew exactly what he was talking about. The air hummed with unspoken desire, the memory of his body in the clearing, the way her gaze had lingered, and the heat that hadn’t faded even after they returned inside, but admitting it outright felt too embarrassing and vulnerable. Not wanting to give herself away completely, she feigned innocence, tilting her head slightly. “What are you talking about?”

Knox threw her an unimpressed look, the kind that said he saw through every layer of her pretense. “You know damn well what I’m talking about.” He paused, studying her flushed face. “Would you really be fine if climbed into bed with you? Or are you just trying to be polite?”

Luna didn’t hesitate this time. She tapped the empty space on the mattress beside her, the gesture bolder than she felt. “Why would I try to be polite?” Her voice carried a hint of challenge. “What are you so scared of? I doubt I’d be the first girl you’ve ever shared a bed with.”

Knox’s response came immediately, his tone rougher now. “Well, for every girl I’ve ever shared a bed with, something always led to it, and right now, I’m not about to take that kind of risk with you.”

The words hung between them, heavy with implication, and Luna could have ended the conversation there. She could have laughed it off, turned away, and let him take the floor like he planned, but maybe it was the single can of beer buzzing warmly in her veins, or maybe she had simply decided to act impulsively for once in her chaotic life. No more overthinking every consequence, and no more letting fear dictate her choices.

She met his gaze steadily. “Why can’t you take the risk?”

The question clearly took Knox aback because for a split second, his carefully guarded expression cracked, surprise flashing in his eyes. He hadn’t expected her to push, and in the dim light of the cabin, with only a small lamp illuminating the wooden walls, the moment stretched taut. Then, in a fluid motion, he got up from the chair. The distance between them vanished as he closed it in a few strides, stopping right in front of where she sat on the bed.

He towered over her, his presence filling the small space, but he didn’t touch her. Instead, those intense eyes bored into hers, searching for any sign of hesitation.

“Are you sure you want to play this game with me?” he asked, his voice dropping to a near growl. “Again, I’m not as respectful as my friends. Nor will I give you any kind of reassurance if you decide to cross that line with me.”

Luna rolled her eyes at him, a small, defiant gesture that masked the rapid beat of her heart. Something bolder stirred inside her, a confidence she didn’t know she possessed. When she spoke again, her voice came out surprisingly low and sultry, smooth in a way that surprised even her. “What makes you think that I want your reassurance?”

Before Knox could fully process the question, she reached up. Her fingers hooked into the collar of his shirt, tugging him closer with a gentle but insistent pull, and she didn’t overthink it. Rising slightly on the bed to meet him, she placed a soft kiss on his lips. It was tentative at first, a brush of warmth that sent sparks racing through both of them.

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8:49 Tue, Jun 30

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