Marked by the Alpha Team (Luna Merrick) novel Chapter 42

O G

12:40 Sat, May 30 MMM ·

Chapter 41

not with him, and definitely not with the rest of his friends. The idea of accidentally walking into one of them in this House made her stomach twist slightly.

“There’s a sofa in my room.” Ryder added. “You can sleep there. I’ll come to you in the morning when she’s better, and I’l explain everything.”

Ivy shifted her weight slightly, still unsure. She didn’t like the idea of leaving Luna, especially like this, but at the same time, she knew she wouldn’t be able to do much if something happened again, and from the way Ryder was acting, it was clear that something else was happening between him and his friends, and she didn’t wish to find out what.

“How am I supposed to find your room?” she asked after a moment. “I don’t know my way around here. I could end up in the wrong place.”

Ryder gave a small nod, like he had expected that. He quickly started explaining the layout of the house, keeping his voice low as he described the hallway, the stairs, and the turn she would need to take. He spoke clearly and slowly, making sure she understood every part.

“It’s the only door with my name on it,” he added at the end. “You’ll see it.”

Ivy nodded slowly, trying to remember everything he had said, but just as she was about to move, Ryder added one more thing.

“You’ll need to take off your flip–flops,” he said.

She looked down at her feet, then back at him with confusion. “Why?”

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Ryder’s expression didn’t change. “You already know why,” he said simply. “Our hearing is sharper than yours, so you’ll need to be extra quiet, which would be easier if you’re barefoot.”

Ivy swallowed slightly, then nodded. Without saying anything else, she bent down and slipped off her flip–flops, holding them in one hand instead. The cold floor made her shift slightly, but she didn’t complain.

Ryder watched her for a second, like he was about to say she didn’t have to do it right there, but then he stopped himself. Instead, he just gave her a small nod.

“Be careful,” he said.

“I will,” Ivy replied quietly.

She took one last look at Luna, her eyes softening again with worry, then turned and walked toward the door. She moved slowly, carefully, just like he had told her, and when she reached the door, she opened it gently and slipped out, closing it behind her without making a sound.

The room went quiet.

Ryder stayed where he was for a moment, listening, making sure everything remained still. When he was sure Ivy was gone, he let out a slow breath and finally allowed himself to relax just a little.

He looked down at Luna again, and she was still holding onto him,

Her fingers were wrapped tightly in his shirt, her grip not as desperate as before, but still strong enough to keep him from moving away without waking her. Her face looked calmer now, her features soft, her breathing steady. For the first time since everything started, she looked like she was actually resting.

Carefully, Ryder adjusted himself and sat down on the edge of the bed, moving slowly so he wouldn’t disturb her. When he leaned back slightly, Luna shifted with him, her body naturally turning toward him as she pressed lightly against his side.

He stilled for a moment, watching her.

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OOGT

12:40 Sat, May 30 MMM.

Chapter 11

Even in her sleep, she seemed to find him. Her grip tightened slightly, her fingers curling into his shirt again as if she needed to make sure he was still there.

Ryder let out a quiet breath and leaned back a little more, allowing himself to settle into the bed just enough to stay comfortable without pulling away from her. His arm rested carefully near her, not fully around her, but close enough that if she moved again, he would be able to steady her.

For a while. he just stayed like that, still, quiet, and watching her.

The room felt calm, almost too calm compared to what had happened earlier. The faint sound of her breathing filled the silence, and every now and then, she shifted slightly, but she didn’t wake.

Ryder’s gaze stayed on her face, taking in every small detail without meaning to. The way her lashes rested against her cheeks, the way her lips parted slightly as she breathed, the way her hair spread across the pillow in damp strands.

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