Marked by the Alpha Team (Luna Merrick) novel Chapter 164

The Invalid Offer?

Luna’s Pov

Ever since Orion had questioned why I was staring at Knox, I had felt every little shift in Jace’s emotions. It had surprised me because I wasn’t supposed to know what he was feeling that clearly, but ever since waking up it was almost like the bond between us had become much stronger. The jealousy he had been trying so hard to bury had brushed against me like a warm current, subtle but impossible to ignore. He had hidden it

well from everyone else vet I had still felt it, and the only reason he had been in such a hurry to leave earlier

was because he didn’t want to stand in the room any longer than necessary.

Before today, I probably would have pretended not to notice, but something about me felt different after waking up. I felt bolder, less afraid of awkward conversations, and strangely curious. More than anything. I

wanted to hear him admit what I already knew

Jace cleared his throat quietly before folding his arms across his chest. Although his expression remained calm, I noticed the tiny crease forming between his brows. “What are you talking about?” he asked with a puzzled look. “What exactly am I supposed to be jealous of?”

His voice was steady, but I knew him well enough now to hear the caution hidden underneath. He wasn’t answering because he genuinely didn’t understand me. He was answering because he was buying himself time, hoping I would change the subject before he had to admit anything. It almost made me smile because for someone everyone considered calm and collected, Jace could be surprisingly transparent whenever his emotions became involved.

I leaned back slightly against the pillows and simply stared at him without saying anything for several seconds. The longer I remained quiet, the more uncomfortable he seemed to become, and I almost laughed at how unfamiliar this situation clearly was for him.

Finally, I tilted my head slightly and looked at him with what I knew was an unimpressed expression. “Do you have anything you want to ask me?” I asked calmly. “Because if you do, now would probably be the best time to ask

I watched his eyes carefully after saying those words, and for the briefest moment, I caught something flicker across them before it disappeared just as quickly. He knew exactly what I meant.

He remained silent for a while before letting out a slow breath through his nose. His lips curved into the faintest smile, although it carried more resignation than amusement. “Why do I get the feeling you’re trying to bait me into saying something?” he asked quietly. “This conversation suddenly feels like a trap, Luna.” He shook his head lightly while continuing to study my face, almost like he was trying to decide whether answering honestly would be a mistake.

Normally, he always seemed to know exactly what to say, but today was different. For once, I had somehow managed to put him on the defensive, and I couldn’t deny that I found it strangely satisfying

I rolled my eyes before letting out a quiet scoff. “I’m not trying to bait you I replied, shaking my head. “I’m only trying to get you to admit that you’re jealous and then tell me honestly why you’re jealous.”

The words came out much more directly than I expected, but surprisingly, I didn’t regret saying anything, watching his composed expression falter ever so slightly made me feel like I had guessed connectiv from the beginning. There was no point pretending anymore. I already know what he was feeling because i had felt every bit of it myself.

Jace lowered his gaze briefly before rubbing the back of his neck, something had begun noticing he did

henever he was strugglin with what to say. After another few seconds of silenc

Precisely because I can feel your emotions” he said quietly already know that somet happened between you and Knox” He paused briefly before looking back into my evs. The last thing wanted to do was pry into your business simply because I have an advantag

gs doesnt mean I have

ght to question

out but he

et bother

The Invalid Offer?

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something inside me soften. He had stayed quiet because he respected me enough not to invade my privacy.

I couldn’t help smiling faintly at him. “I’d honestly rather you just asked,” I admitted, “Instead of standing there drowning in jealousy so badly that I almost felt like I could hear your thoughts.”

The moment those words left my mouth, his eyebrows lifted slightly in surprise. I wasn’t exaggerating either. Earlier, standing in that hospital room surrounded by everyone else, the jealousy rolling off him had been so strong that it almost felt louder than actual words.

“Was it really that obvious?” he asked quietly, sounding genuinely embarrassed.

I nodded without hesitation. “It really was, I answered honestly. “Even now, I can tell you’re still dying to ask me something.” I looked down at my hands for a moment before smiling to myself. “I actually promised myself I wasn’t going to tell any of you what happened because it was my business, but then I felt how jealous you were…” I looked back up at him again. “Honestly, Jace, all you have to do is ask, and I’ll probably spill everything like a leaking tap.”

For a brief moment, I genuinely thought he was finally going to ask me. I watched him carefully, waiting for the question I already knew was sitting at the tip of his tongue. Instead, he surprised me completely.

“How did you manage to control your strength during the race?” Jace asked instead. “Last I remembered, before you left for the competition, I honestly wasn’t sure you’d be able to, and it’s usually not very easy to overcome.”

1 blinked at him in disbelief.

That… wasn’t what I had expected.

Out of every question he could have asked, he had chosen the one question completely unrelated to Knox. I stared at him for several long seconds before letting out a disappointed sigh that I didn’t even bother hiding. Judging by the amused look spreading across his face, he immediately realized exactly what I had been expecting instead.

A quiet chuckle escaped him before he shook his head. “I know exactly what you wanted me to ask,” he admitted with a small smile. “Trust me, Luna, I have a hundred questions running through my head right now.” His smile slowly faded into something softer. “But I’m not going to ask them.”

I folded my arms across my chest and frowned at him. “Why not?” I asked, unable to hide the disappointment in my voice.

“Because I know myself,” he answered honestly. “If you answered those questions… I don’t think I’d be able to hide whatever I felt afterward.” He looked away briefly before continuing. “The others would notice immediately. Orion especially would notice something was wrong, and I’d rather not put myself through explaining emotions caused by something I doubt you’d want to share.”

He met my eyes again, and there was something painfully honest about the way he looked at me. “I’d rather stay curious than risk saying or doing something I’d regret.”

His answer made complete sense, but somehow that only made me feel even more disappointed. I had practically opened the door for him, and he had chosen to leave it closed instead. Part of me admired his self control, another part wanted to shake him until he stopped being so mature all the time.

The silence between us stretched again. We simply looked at one another while neither of us seemed eager to

break the silence.

Without really thinking it through, another thought suddenly crossed my mind. “If your offer is still available. I began quietly.

Jace frowned slightly. “What offer?” he asked with genuine confusion.

I held his gaze as I answered. “The offer you made before,” I said. “About claiming me as your Luna an

to improve my social standing at Blackridge”

For a full second, he simply stared at me as though he wasn’t entirely sure he had heard me correctly

I took a slow breath before finishing my thought. “If that offer is sull available” I said quaeth. “Then

The maid Car?

to latch myself to your title.”

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