Marked By the Pureblood Alpha (Deanna and Luis) novel Chapter 22

Chapter 22 Turned Away at the Door

Deanna’s POV:

$43

+10 Free Coins

I was digging through my office looking for the Moonline Expansion Project file when I suddenly sneezed.

Someone must be trash–talking me behind my back.

Seriously though, where the hell did that proposal go?

I had planned to take it straight to Luis, walk him through the numbers like a pro, and convince him to invest.

And if that didn’t work? I was fully prepared to shamelessly cash in that favor he owed me.

But now the whole file was gone.

I could’ve sworn I left it right on my desk.

I even pulled an all–nighter finishing it.

“Kylie, has anyone been in my office these past couple of days?”

Kylie kept her eyes down. “Ms. Wiley, no one’s touched your office.”

I narrowed my eyes, watching her for a moment, but decided not to press it.

There was no way that file just vanished into thin air–but if she wasn’t going to talk, there wasn’t much I could do.

“You can go,” I said, waving her off.

Never mind.

I had every page of that proposal committed to memory. I could present it without the folder.

I

got in the car and headed for the Mooncrown Pack’s headquarters.

At the front desk, I kept my tone polite. “Hi, could you help me get in touch with your alpha?”

“And

you are?”

“Deanna Wiley, from Mistbane Pack.”

1/5

20:12 Wed, Nov 5

Chapter 22 Turned Away at the Door

43

+10 Free Coins

“The heiress of Mistbane Pack?” The receptionist gave me a quick once–over, then offered a crisp, polite smile. “I’m sorry, but the alpha isn’t here.”

“Can I leave a message? Or maybe schedule an appointment for when he’s back?”

Her expression turned bland. “We don’t take walk–ins. If we allowed everyone to schedule a meeting, he’d never get any work done.”

Are you serious? I grumbled to myself.

If I couldn’t even speak to Luis, how was I supposed to get this funding?

I tried one more time. “Please–this is important. It won’t take long.”

She didn’t blink. “I’m sorry, Ms. Wiley. The answer’s still no.”

Defeated, I walked out of the building, completely deflated.

That was when my phone rang. It was Philip.

“Deanna, where are you? I stopped by your office. Your assistant said you went out.”

“I’m trying to lock down investors.”

“Any progress?”

“Still working on it.”

“You’ve already got Jake backing you, but you’re dead set on finding outside capital. You think it’s easy to raise four billion?”

“Jake’s not making a fuss about it. His beta–Axel–called today. Said he wants to see you.”

Jake?

He was just sitting back, waiting for me to fold.

I glanced up at the towering glass building above me and muttered, “I’ll figure it out on my

own.”

“Deanna,” Philip snapped over the phone, “you and Jake are about to sign that contract. Stop being immature and just apologize already. You’re blowing this way out of proportion.”

I let out a cold laugh. “So that’s it? I only matter because I’m tied to Jake?”

2/5

20:12 Wed, Nov 5

Chapter 22 Turned Away at the Door

43

+10 Free Coins

“Dad, I started at the bottom. I clawed my way up to becoming a manager without anyone’s help. I don’t need the Olsendreich Pack’s support. And how many times do I have to say it–I already ended things with Jake.”

Philip’s tone turned sharper. “That agreement affects both our packs. The Mistbane Pack isn’t going to let you walk away on a whim.”

I smirked. “If you’re that eager to partner with the Olsendreich Pack, maybe you should marry Jake.”

“You-” His voice shot up. “Are you trying to send me to an early grave? Fine. I’ll give you a bit more time. But if you still can’t secure the funding, I’ll drag you over there myself to make things right.”

With that, the line went dead.

I stood there for a moment, staring at the blank phone screen.

I didn’t doubt him. For the sake of the Mistbane Pack, he would absolutely force me to grovel. Again.

He’s done it before.

Back before I turned eighteen, I’d been raised like a normal human—no combat training, no real connection to my wolf. I was weak and unprepared.

When I finally returned to the Mistbane Pack, I had to start from scratch. I trained for ages to awaken and strengthen my wolf form.

One day, I sprained my wrist during a sparring drill and went to the hospital.

Unfortunately, Peggie was there too.

She lured me into her room, waited for the perfect moment, then flung herself onto the floor just as Jake walked in.

He didn’t ask questions.

All he saw was Peggie, crumpled on the ground, fake tears running down her cheeks.

His face darkened.

He rushed over, shoved me out of the way, and scooped her up into his arms.

My shoulder slammed into the wall. The force jolted down to my wrist, and I heard the crack

3/5

20:13 Wed, Nov 5

Chapter 22 Turned Away at the Door

before I felt the pain.

My face went ghost–white, and sweat drenched my back.

43

+10 Free Coins

I clenched my jaw and forced the words out. “I didn’t touch her. Peggie threw herself down. She framed me.”

Jake’s expression darkened. “Seriously, Deanna? That’s the best you’ve got? You think anyone’s going to buy that she just tripped? You’re unbelievable. She’s already not well, and you’re still picking on her.”

In that second, the guy I had adored for five years felt like a complete stranger.

Behind him, Peggie clung to his arm like some delicate flower, weeping like she was in a drama. “It’s okay… I deserved it. I made Deanna upset. Jake, please don’t be mad at her.”

Jake turned and walked over to me, his tone sharp and final. “Apologize to Peggie.”

“I didn’t do anything wrong. I’m not apologizing.”

And just like that, I bolted, hot tears spilling down my cheeks as I ran.

That injury? It should’ve healed in a week. But because of that hit, my wrist took two months

to recover.

Eventually, Philip forced me to apologize to Jake.

At the time, I was head over heels for Jake–completely spineless.

So, when Philip offered to go with me and smooth things over, I stupidly agreed. I tagged along like some love–struck fool.

He gave this long–winded speech, basically begging Jake to forgive me for having a “bad attitude.”

Jake looked me over, then gestured with his hand. “Come here.”

Eyes rimmed red, I shuffled over.

He pulled me into his arms. “No more tantrums, alright? Don’t act out like a spoiled kid. I hate girls who can’t control themselves. Deanna, I’m only taking care of Peggie because I feel responsible for her. Don’t let that make you insecure.”

Thinking back on it now, I seriously wonder if I had been hit in the head back then.

4/5

20:13 Wed, Nov 5

Chapter 22 Turned Away at the Door

How was I ever that girl, so obsessed with him that I thought I’d die without him?

But here I was. Still breathing. Still standing.

443

+20 Free Coins

20:13 Wed, Nov 5