Marked By the Pureblood Alpha (Deanna and Luis) novel Chapter 163

**The Heart I Buried for You by Serene Lockwood**
**I’m Not Coming Home**

**Luis’s POV:**

The surgery had unfolded with an almost surreal grace, as if Nyra herself had cast a protective aura over the chaos that had erupted just moments before. The tension that had filled the air began to dissipate, and slowly, Grandma was wheeled out from the operating room, her essence gradually returning to a state of calm.

Two hours dragged on, each minute stretching endlessly, an agonizing reminder of my worry. Finally, a flicker of movement caught my eye—she stirred awake. The hospital’s VIP care suite was nothing short of opulent, resembling a lavish penthouse with its plush living room, modern kitchen, and cozy bedroom.

I reclined heavily on the couch, my legs sprawled out in an attempt to find comfort. Exhaustion weighed down on me, wrapping around me like a heavy, suffocating blanket. After giving so much blood, fatigue enveloped me, making it nearly impossible to keep my eyes from fluttering shut.

The doctor, a figure who exuded both authority and compassion, approached me with a serious demeanor. “Alpha, you must remain here tonight. Mrs. Eaton’s condition is fragile and could deteriorate at any moment. Should an emergency arise, we will still require your blood.”

I tossed the used cotton ball from my arm aside, letting out a nonchalant hum of acknowledgment, though inside, my stomach twisted with tension.

Once the medical team had finished adjusting the equipment and imparting a few final instructions to Alina, they exited the room, leaving behind an unsettling air of uncertainty.

Alina stood by Grandma’s bedside, her demeanor gentle as she carefully offered her a glass of warm water.

“Mrs. Eaton, please take your time. You’ve just woken up; there’s no need to rush,” she encouraged softly, her voice a soothing balm in the sterile atmosphere.

Grandma accepted the glass, her eyes flickering toward me as she took a couple of slow sips. “Sweetheart, come sit with me,” she beckoned, her voice warm yet weighted with the gravity of her years.

I rose from my seat, my heart heavy, and moved closer, settling into the chair beside her bed.

“Sweetheart, Grandma is getting older. It’s why, when you were away on that business trip to Ocrana, I felt compelled to ask you to attend Nadia’s graduation from Blackcreek Pack. My true intention was to nudge you toward moving your engagement forward.”

I leaned back in my chair, closing my eyes momentarily to gather my thoughts, my fingers spinning my phone idly—a mindless distraction against the backdrop of her words.

“I understand you’ve never fully acknowledged it,” she continued, her voice steady but insistent. “Even if it’s not Nadia from Blackcreek Pack, our Mooncrown Pack, as a pure-blood werewolf family, requires a Luna from a distinguished lineage to ensure the preservation of our bloodline.”

Her words hung in the air, heavy with expectation. “Moreover, I’ve heard whispers that Grant has been amassing quite the power base in Euron over the years. He’s been strategizing, biding his time until he feels ready to return and reclaim what he believes belongs to him.”

Grandma was referring to my uncle, a figure cloaked in controversy. He had once been part of the Mooncrown Pack but had been cast out after a failed bid for the Alpha position.

Years back, he had competed fiercely with my father, only to be banished from our pack. In the decade since, Grant Eaton had forged his own path in Euron, establishing a pack of his own and seemingly thriving. Yet, his bitterness towards the Mooncrown Pack simmered beneath the surface, a constant reminder of his past grievances.

I opened my eyes, my voice dripping with lazy disdain. “Making moves? With those half-blood Rogues at his side, does he genuinely believe he can topple the Mooncrown Pack?”

Gazing at the cold, untouched dishes laid out on the table, I felt the bitter irony wash over me.

With a deep, shuddering breath, I began to gather the plates one by one, each step toward the kitchen feeling like a weighty burden. Without hesitation, I discarded them into the trash, a final act of defiance against the hollow expectations that now lay shattered around me.

In that moment, I felt a flicker of strength ignite within me. I was reclaiming my agency, recognizing that the heart I had once buried for Luis deserved to be unearthed.

**Conclusion**

In the aftermath of the tumultuous night, both Luis and Deanna found themselves grappling with the weight of their respective realities. For Luis, the stark reminder of family obligations loomed large, as his grandmother’s fragile state intertwined with the expectations of their lineage. The tension between duty and desire became palpable, reflecting the deep-seated fears of losing not only his grandmother but also the essence of his identity as an Alpha. As he sat by her bedside, the urgency of her words hung in the air, pushing him to confront the looming specter of his uncle’s ambitions and the future that awaited him. It was a moment of reckoning, where love for family clashed with the pursuit of personal happiness, leaving him at a crossroads that would define his path forward.

Meanwhile, Deanna’s solitude echoed through the empty spaces of her home, each tick of the clock amplifying the ache of abandonment. The message from Luis shattered her hopes, leaving her to confront the stark reality of their relationship. As she discarded the remnants of a dinner that would never be shared, her actions became a poignant metaphor for the emotional turmoil she faced—casting aside the illusions of what could have been. In that moment of quiet defiance, Deanna chose to reclaim her agency, recognizing that the heart she had once buried for Luis deserved to be unearthed. The storm outside mirrored the tempest within, yet amidst the chaos, a flicker of resolve ignited within her, signaling that she would not remain a passive participant in a narrative dictated by others. Together, they stood on the precipice of change, each grappling with the heartache of unfulfilled expectations and the hope of forging their own destinies.

**What to Expect in Next Chapter?**

In the next chapter of *The Heart I Buried for You*, readers can expect the tension between familial duty and personal desire to escalate dramatically. As Luis grapples with his grandmother’s insistence on a marriage alliance with the Blackcreek Pack, the weight of his legacy presses heavily upon him. Will he succumb to the expectations of his lineage, or will he dare to carve his own path, especially with the looming threat of his uncle Grant’s ambitions? The stakes are rising, and with every passing moment, the fragile balance of power within the Mooncrown Pack hangs in the balance.

Meanwhile, Deanna’s emotional turmoil will reach a boiling point. The revelation of Luis’s absence sends her spiraling into a whirlwind of doubt and despair. As the storm rages outside, mirroring her internal conflict, she must confront her feelings and the reality of their relationship. Will Deanna find the strength to confront Luis about his choices, or will she allow her fears to consume her? The chapter promises to delve deeper into the complexities of love and loyalty, leaving readers on the edge of their seats, eager to discover how these intertwined fates will unfold amidst the gathering storm.