Marked by the Alpha Team (Luna Merrick) novel Chapter 7

Chapter 7

LUNA

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I was already halfway down the next flight of stairs when the scent got stronger again, not faint anymore, but close, way too close. My stomach twisted hard, and I picked up speed, taking the steps two at a time again, my hand sliding along the railing so fast it burned my palm. I didn’t look back, and I didn’t even need to because I could feel him coming.

I told myself if I could just make it down the flight of stairs, and push through the door into the busy hallway, I’d be okay. I’d just hopefully find a crowd and get lost in them.

I rounded the landing and started down the final set of stairs, and then he was there, right in front of me.

One second the way was clear, and the very next he was blocking it, tall and casual, his curly blond hair messy from running, and his green eyes bright and amused. I yelped, my feet slipping on the edge of a step. My arms windmilled, my backpack swung wildly, and I felt myself tipping backward, but his hand shot out fast.

Fingers wrapped around my bare forearm, warm, firm, and strong fingers, and in just split seconds, he yanked me forward before I could hit the stairs, and I crashed into his chest instead, my breath knocked out of me, and my face only inches from his. The hoodie I’d thrown on after my run had ridden up, leaving my arm exposed, and his skin on mine sent a jolt straight through me.

It wasn’t pain, not exactly, but something more electric and hot, and it raced up my arm, down my spine, and pooled low in my belly so fast ed.

e same bright green I remembered from class. They were darker now, pupils blown wide, almost black in Wall light. For a second I thought I was imagining it, but then he blinked, and the color shifted back, but the the same, intense and hungry, like he was seeing something in me that no one else had ever seen.

ked my arm free and stumbled back one step, pressing my back to the wall.

“How did you get here so fast?” My voice came out shaky and higher than normal. “Where the hell did you even come from?”

Theo didn’t answer my questions. He just tilted his head, that familiar amused smirk tugging at his lips.

“Is running away your favorite thing to do?” he asked, his voice low and smooth. “Because even if it is, it’s getting really old

now.”

I stared at him with my mouth open, struggling to believe his audacity. I felt heat rush into my face, anger, embarrassment, and something else I didn’t want to name.

“Well,” I snapped, keeping my voice down because the stairwell echoed, “if you and your stupid friends weren’t basically harassing me for beating one of you in a race, maybe I wouldn’t have to keep running.”

Theo’s smirk grew wider, like I’d just said something funny. “You really think that’s why we’re following you around?” he asked. “Because you won some stupid race?”

I blinked, visibly taken aback, and my brain scrambled for a second.

“Isn’t it?” I shot back, crossing my arms over my chest like that could protect me from whatever this was. “I can’t think of any other reason you’d all be stalking me, and making me the center of attention when that’s the last thing I want or need.”

He watched me for a long moment, his eyes still too dark and too focused. The snurk softened into something nicer, almost

1/2

2:41 pm Pppp.

Chapter 7

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thoughtful, and then he stepped closer. He wasn’t touching me, but he was close enough that I had to tilt my head back to keep eye contact, and the scent wrapped around me again, stronger now and warmer, pulling at that same strange heat inside me until my thighs clenched without permission.

“You beat Ryder,” he said slowly, like he was explaining something obvious. “That’s not nothing, but it’s not why we’re here.”

I swallowed, and my throat felt tight.

“Then why?” I whispered, hating how small my voice sounded.

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