Marked By the Pureblood Alpha (Deanna and Luis) novel Chapter 180

**The Heart I Buried for You by Serene Lockwood**
**Chapter 180: It’s All in the Past (Part One)**

**Luis’s POV:**

After my eyes skimmed through the message, I exited the chat interface, my thumb hovering over the screen, contemplating whether to turn it off.

The sight of “Asshole” next to my name in the WhatsApp contacts made my brow furrow with confusion and amusement.

Without a moment’s hesitation, I playfully nipped at Deanna’s earlobe, my voice a teasing whisper, “Am I really an asshole?”

She inhaled sharply, her breath hitching in surprise. “You’re always messing with me. What else should I call you?”

Her reaction was revealing; I sensed there was more beneath the surface than she was letting on.

Curiosity piqued, I tapped back into WhatsApp, searching for clarity.

That’s when I stumbled upon a message that sent a chill down my spine.

“It’s thundering outside. It’s scaring me.”

My heart tightened painfully as my finger lingered over the cold glass, tracing the words that felt so foreign.

It struck me as odd; I had no recollection of ever receiving that text.

That particular night had been chaotic—my grandmother had suffered a sudden stroke, and in the rush to get her the blood transfusion she desperately needed, I had left my phone and clothes with the maid, too consumed by worry to think of anything else.

Could it be…

“Deanna.”

I hesitated, the weight of my thoughts pressing down on me, before finally speaking in a hushed tone.

She turned to me, concern etched across her features. “What’s wrong?”

I instinctively tightened my arm around her waist, as if anchoring myself in the moment.

Then, slowly, I lifted her up, placing her on the pristine glass countertop, our eyes locked in a silent conversation.

Looking deep into her eyes, I said with utmost seriousness, “I had no idea you wanted me to come back that night.”

Deanna blinked, her dark eyes wide and expressive, searching my face for answers.

“It’s fine. You said your grandma was sick. I get it.”

A wave of guilt washed over me, heavy and suffocating. I murmured, “I’m sorry.”

All this time, I had assumed it was just one missed night, a blip in our routine.

I hadn’t realized she had been waiting, sending messages, hoping against hope that I would return home to her.

**Chapter 180: It’s All in the Past (Part One)**

My heart raced, electricity surging from where his hand met my skin, igniting every nerve ending.

His scent enveloped me—cedar and warmth, possessive and intoxicating, creating an invisible net that pulled me closer to him.

As his hand began to draw slow, teasing circles on my back, tiny fires ignited across my skin, and when he finally entered me, a soft, breathless moan escaped my lips.

“Deanna.”

I looked up at him, my eyes clouded with desire. “Mm … ?”

“If I ever don’t text back, or if I say something that bothers you, just call me. Ask me directly,” he urged, his tone earnest, a promise hanging in the air between us.

“Okay,” I replied, my heart swelling with both affection and anxiety.

The next morning, I rifled through my closet, pulling out a black-and-white Chanel knit jacket, pairing it with skinny blue jeans and a set of heels that made me feel powerful and ready to conquer the day.

Just then, Maggie peeked her head into my office, her eyes sparkling with mischief.

“Deanna, you look so good today! What happened last night?”

A smile tugged at my lips, but I quickly shot back, “Mind your own business.”

At that moment, Zelena emerged from her office, her expression still troubled, casting a shadow over the lightness of the morning.