Marked by the Alpha Team (Luna Merrick) novel Chapter 8

Chapter 8

LUNA

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As soon as the words left my mouth, Theo let out a soft chuckle. It wasn’t mean or mocking, just light, like I’d told a small joke he found cute. He took one slow step back, giving me space again, but that stupid smile that I was really starting to hate stayed on his face, like he knew something I didn’t.

I stood there pressed against the wall, still catching my breath, with my heart hammering so hard I could feel it in my throat. Then, out of nowhere, he changed the subject completely.

“I’d like to invite you to a party,” he said, casually, as if we’d been chatting about the weather prior. “I and the guys are throwing one tonight, and since you’re new, it’d be a good chance to make some friends, and maybe finally stop looking like a deer caught in headlights every time someone comes near you. If you keep doing that, everyone’s going to think you’re some weirdo.”

My brain short–circuited immediately. One second we were talking about whatever weird feeling was happening between us, and the next he was inviting me to a party and even calling me a weirdo when he and his dumb friends have been the weird ones since I met them?

I blinked at him, mouth half–open, trying to catch up. The shift was so sudden it almost made me dizzy, and when my thoughts finally caught up, I shook my head slowly, disbelief washing over me again. I told myself to calm down, reminding myself that so far so good, yelling wasn’t working, and getting mad has proven to be a waste of time, so maybe, just maybe, if I tried being nicer and gentler, he’d actually listen. Maybe he’d feel bad or something and back off.

I forced a small smile on my face. It felt tight and fake, but I hoped it looked real enough.

“As much as I appreciate the invite,” I said carefully, keeping my voice soft, “I’m going to have to pass. Loud gatherings aren’t really my thing.”

Theo opened his mouth like he was about to reply, but I hurried on before he could.

“I’d also really appreciate it,” I added quickly, “if you and your friends could stop following me around. I don’t want any attention from you guys, or from the girls who follow you around. I just want to be left alone.”

I held my breath after I finished. A tiny, stupid part of me hoped the gentler tone would get through. Maybe he’d see I was serious, maybe he’d feel a little guilty, and maybe he’d go back to his friends and tell them to drop it, but instead, Theo chuckled again, and this time it sounded like I’d said something completely ridiculous.

Before I could react, he closed the small distance he’d given me. His face was suddenly inches from mine again, close enough that I could see the flecks of gold in his green eyes, and close enough that his breath brushed my cheek.

“That isn’t happening,” he said in a low voice that was almost gentle but firm at the same time. “So you’d better get used to the attention, beautiful.”

My heart slammed against my ribs, and for a second I couldn’t move, and couldn’t breathe. The heat that had been simmering inside me flared hot and bright, rushing through my blood until my skin felt too tight and my legs trembled. His scent wrapped around me again, too spicy and too overwhelming, and my body reacted without permission. A shiver ran down my spine, my thighs clenched, and a soft, involuntary sound almost escaped my throat before I swallowed it down.

Theo’s eyes darkened again, his pupils expanding until the green almost disappeared. He noticed the way my body was reacting to him, and his gaze dropped to my lips for half a second, then back up to my eyes

He didn’t move closer, but the air between us felt thick and charged, like the feeling you get right before a storm.

I finally found my voice, small and shaky.

1/3

2:41 pm Pppp.

Chapter 8

“Why?” I whispered. “Why can’t you just leave me alone?”

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Theo studied my face for a long moment, and something flickered in his expression, something softer and almost sad, but it was gone so fast I wasn’t sure I’d seen it.

“Because you’re not like everyone else,” he said quietly. “And we both know it.”

He stepped back then, slow and deliberate, giving me room again. My knees felt weak, but I locked them in place, reminding myself that I couldn’t fall apart here, especially not in front of him.

Theo tilted his head toward the door at the bottom of the stairs. “Go to class,” he said. “Or don’t, it’s up to you, but tonight… the party’s at the off–campus house on Maple, and it starts by eight o’clock. The door’s open if you change your mind.”

I didn’t answer, and he gave me one last look, long and searching, then turned and walked down the remaining steps. His footsteps echoed softly, and when he pushed the door open, the bright hallway light spilled in for a second before it swung shut behind him.

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