Marked by the Alpha Team (Luna Merrick) novel Chapter 169

Chapter 169

Chapter 169

Luna’s POV

There was absolutely no chance I was getting into either of the two cars waiting outside the hospital. The moment I saw the way Orion and Ryder looked at each other, I knew exactly how the morning was going to go if I chose one over the other Orion would insist I rode with him because he had arrived first, Ryder would argue that he had every right to take me back himself. Then both of them would probably spend the entire drive trying to outdo each other while I sat awkwardly with either of them, wishing I had simply disappeared.

It had been too early in the morning for that kind of drama, especially after spending a sleepless night in the hospital Thankfully, Ivy seemed to understand exactly what I was thinking because the moment I looked at her, she gave me a ty nod that silently said she had the solution. Without saying another word, we politely thanked both Orion and Ryder for coming before walking past their cars and hailing a taxi instead. The expressions on their faces almost made me feel guilty but not guilty enough to willingly throw myself into what would have been an exhausting ride back to campus

By the time the taxi finally pulled away from the hospital, I was already leaning back in my seat with a relieved sigh, grateful that I had managed to avoid becoming the prize in another one of their ridiculous competitions,

The ride back to Blackridge passed surprisingly quietly. Ivy spent most of it looking out of the window while occasionally glancing at me, and although she wasn’t saying much, I knew her well enough to recognize that particular expression on her face. It was the same one she wore every single time she was trying very hard not to bombard me with questions. More than once, I caught her opening her mouth as though she were about to say something before stopping herself at the last second I almost laughed because she wasn’t nearly as subtle as she probably thought she was.

The silence between us wasn’t uncomfortable, but it definitely wasn’t empty either. It was full of curiosity that she was patiently forcing herself to hold back. Knowing Ivy, she had probably spent the entire night thinking of questions after everything she had witnessed at the hospital. Between the five guys showing up, my private conversation with Jace, and the scene outside the hospital that morning, she probably had enough questions to keep me talking until dinner. Somehow, though, she managed to keep every single one of them to herself until we finally reached the dorm.

The moment we stepped into our room, I didn’t even bother taking off my shoes first. I walked straight across the room, dropped my small bag onto the floor beside my bed, and threw myself on the mattress face-first. The familiar bed felt like heaven after the overly uncomfortable hospital bed I had spent the entire night lying on. I buried my face into the pillow before letting out a long, dramatic sigh that seemed to carry away every bit of stress I had been holding onto since yesterday. For a few wonderful seconds, I simply lay there without moving, enjoying the familiar comfort of my own roots. Then I heard my name.

“Luna, Ivy called softly.

I slowly lifted my head before turning toward her.

Just as I expected, she was sitting on her own bed with the exact curious expression I had noticed inside the taxi. Her eyes practically sparkled with anticipation, and although she was trying to look patient, I could already tell she was moments away from bursting if I didn’t say something first.

1 couldn’t help smiling. I had known this was coming ever since we climbed into the cab

I let out another sigh before sitting up properly against the headboard. “Go ahead,” I said with a small laugh, ask all those questions you’re clearly dying to ask.

Ivy Immediately sighed in relief as though I had just released her from some terrible punishment. Honestly she adulte with an embarrassed smile, “I have so many questions that I don’t even know where to start anymore”

I couldn’t filine her. HI were in her position, I’d probably be jint as curious forced into su upalile strughter before crossing my legs on the bad.

Then start from the beginning, I told her with an amysial site. And yourd enter they before I change my minit.”

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Chapter 169

Ivy narrowed her eyes playfully before falling into thought. She tapped one finger lightly against her chin while carefully deciding which question deserved to be asked first. For several long seconds, she remained completely silent, and I almost started wondering whether she had changed her mind altogether. Then her face suddenly brightened.

“Alright,” she said confidently. “Let’s start with something you’ve been avoiding for days.” She leaned forward slightly, clearly determined not to let me escape this time. “Can you finally tell me where you disappeared to two… no, almost three nights ago?” She folded her arms as though she were preparing for a very serious interview. “You promised you’d explain everything after your competition was over, and your competition is officially over. So…” She smiled expectantly. This is the moment of truth.”

I wasn’t surprised in the slightest. Out of all the possible questions she could have chosen, this was probably the one she had been waiting to ask the most. I let out a slow breath while wondering how exactly I was supposed to explain everything hat had happened without sounding completely insane.

Where was I even supposed to begin? After a few moments of gathering my thoughts, I finally looked back at her. I actually left campus that day,” I admitted honestly. “I didn’t really have a destination in mind. I just… walked.”

The memory came back so clearly that it almost felt like I was there again. “I kept wandering around without thinking about where I was going,” I continued. “Then I ran into Knox.”

Ivy remained completely still as she listened.

“He wasn’t exactly interested in letting me continue wandering around by myself.” I said with a helpless smile. “Before I really knew what was happening, he practically forced me on his motorcycle and drove me all the way to his cabin in the middle of nowhere.”

1 hadn’t even finished speaking before Ivy’s mouth slowly fell open. Her eyes became so wide that I honestly wondered if they might pop right out of her head.

For several seconds, she simply stared at me without blinking. Then she spoke very, very slowly. “Wait,” she said, sounding like she genuinely believed she had misunderstood me. “Did I hear that wrong…” She pointed toward me for emphasis. or did you just tell me that Knox Wilder put you on his motorcycle…” She paused dramatically before finishing…and took you to a cabin in the middle of nowhere?”

The disbelief on her face was so dramatic that I couldn’t stop myself from laughing. “Yes,” I replied, still chuckling “That is exactly what I said.”

The effect those words had on Ivy was immediate. She suddenly clasped both hands together before jumping up from her bed so quickly that it actually startled me.

“Oh my God!” she exclaimed excitedly, practically bouncing where she stood. “I knew something had happened!” She pointed accusingly at me while wearing the biggest grin I’d seen on her face in days. “That’s why you kept looking at Knox like that yesterday at the hospital, wasn’t it?” Her eyes sparkled with curiosity as she leaned even closer. “Luna..” She lowered her voice dramatically. Did something happen between you two?”

The excitement in her voice instantly made the warmth return to my cheeks, I looked away for a brief moment before rubbing the back of my neck awkwardly. For a few seconds, I hesitated because saying the words out loud somehow felt much more real than simply thinking about them.

Eventually, I looked back at my visibly impatient friend. “Well…” I said quietly, unable to stop the shy smile that appeared on my face. “Let’s just say.”I paused briefly before finally admitting the truth that I’m no longer a virgin.”

Ivy’s eyes somehow became even wider than before

I couldn’t help laughing softly as I finished my confession. “And by that I mean completely,” I said, my cheeks warming even more as I held her stunned gaze. Not as a werewolf and not as a human either

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09:33 Thu, Jul 23 ) ) ))