Marked By the Pureblood Alpha (Deanna and Luis) novel Chapter 232

**Chapter 232: Secrets Beneath the Moon**

**Deanna’s POV:**

My heart felt like it was about to leap out of my chest, a frantic rhythm pounding in my ears. Instinctively, I wrapped my arms around my waist, an almost primal gesture of self-preservation that spoke of both vulnerability and desperation.

Just when it seemed the ground was about to rise up and embrace me, a strong arm snaked around my waist, halting my unceremonious descent. The air filled with a familiar aroma, earthy and rich, like cedar trees drenched in rain—a scent that was both nostalgic and comforting.

In an instant, I found myself colliding against a solid chest, the warmth radiating from him enveloping me in a cocoon of both safety and alarm.

I tilted my head back, my gaze locking onto his strikingly handsome face—a visage that seemed as though it had been chiseled by divine hands, flawless and captivating.

Luis’s voice, smooth and teasing, brushed against my ear like a whisper of smoke curling in the air. “What were you thinking? Not paying attention to where you’re going?”

His deep, penetrating eyes sent a shiver coursing through me, tightening my chest with a faint ache that felt both painful and all too familiar—like a needle pricking my heart, awakening feelings I had buried deep.

After a moment of stunned silence, I managed to stammer out a simple, “Thanks,” my voice barely above a whisper.

It was only then that I became acutely aware of how I was still nestled against him, the warmth of his body radiating into mine. A rush of embarrassment surged through me, and I quickly pushed him away, creating a necessary yet painful distance between us.

Luis, however, remained unfazed, his demeanor calm as he reached into his pocket for a cigarette. He tapped the box twice, a practiced motion that spoke of habit, before slipping one between his lips, the act casual yet deliberate.

The flicker of his lighter sprang to life, casting a warm glow that danced across his features, enveloping him in a haze of smoke and shadow. He took a slow, deliberate drag, his movements unhurried, as though time itself had decided to stand still.

I took a few steps forward, compelled to distance myself, yet I found myself glancing back, unable to resist the magnetic pull of his presence. There was something utterly captivating about him standing there—tall, lean, and effortlessly relaxed, with that chiseled profile and an air of careless grace that seemed to defy the very laws of nature.

Before I could think better of it, I found myself saying softly, “I heard you’re getting married. Congratulations.”

Luis’s narrow eyes squinted slightly, his gaze scrutinizing me as if searching for hidden meanings beneath my words. His voice dripped with a hint of mockery. “Do you care?”

I replied flatly, the words escaping my lips with a dullness that surprised even me. “Does it matter if I do?”

He stepped closer, the intensity of his dark eyes slicing through the distance between us like a knife. “If you tell me you care, I’ll call it off.”

My heart stumbled, a sudden jolt of confusion coursing through me before I even had time to process his words.

I held his gaze, searching for any sign that he was joking, but all I found was a seriousness that sent a flicker of hope spiraling through my chest.

Yet, reason quickly smothered that small spark, reminding me of the walls I had painstakingly built around myself.

With a determined effort, I met his gaze and forced a small smile, one that felt more like a mask than a genuine expression. “Mr. Eaton, you must have forgotten what we are. Do you still have the inclination to joke?”

—

**Luis’s POV:**

I stood a few paces away, watching her with a tumult of longing and frustration swirling within me.

Her head was slightly bowed, long lashes casting delicate shadows over her cheeks, concealing the storm of emotions roiling in her eyes. Only the tight line of her lips betrayed the stubbornness that defined her.

I dropped the cigarette, crushing it under my shoe, the glowing ember extinguished with a finality that mirrored the resolve swelling inside me. Then, I took a step toward her, my heart racing as I closed the distance between us.

Malcolm must have caught the commotion because he glanced over, concern etched on his face, his brows furrowing slightly.

I yanked my hand free, a surge of defiance coursing through me. “None of your business.”

Without looking back, I hurried toward Malcolm, trying to mask my turmoil with a facade of casualness. “Why did you come here?”

He smiled, a warm and genuine expression that eased some of my tension. “You were gone for a while. I just wanted to make sure you were okay.”

I forced a small smile in return, though it felt strained, like a mask that barely concealed my inner turmoil. “Let’s go.”

—

**Conclusion**

In the aftermath of the charged exchange with Luis, Deanna stands at a crossroads, her heart a tumultuous sea of conflicting emotions. The encounter has unearthed feelings she thought she had buried deep within, igniting a flicker of hope that clashes violently with her resolve to move on. As she turns away from Luis, the lingering grip of his hand on her wrist serves as a painful reminder of the connection they once shared—a bond that now feels like a double-edged sword. Her determination to break free from the past is palpable, yet the shadows of what could have been linger in the air, heavy and suffocating. With each step toward Malcolm, she grapples with the weight of her choices, torn between the safety of a new beginning and the haunting allure of a love that still echoes in her heart.

Luis, left in the wake of her departure, feels the shattering of his own defenses as he watches her walk away. The intensity of his feelings for Deanna becomes a stark reality, one he can no longer ignore. Her defiance ignites a fire within him, a desperate need to reclaim what was lost, but he understands that the walls she has built are formidable. As he stands alone, the remnants of their brief encounter swirl around him, leaving him with a bittersweet ache that resonates deep in his chest. In that moment, he realizes that love is not merely about possession; it is also about letting go, even when every instinct screams to hold on tighter. The moon above witnesses their silent struggle, illuminating the path ahead—one filled with uncertainty, yet brimming with the possibility of healing and new beginnings.

—

**What to Expect in the Next Chapter?**
As tensions rise and emotions swirl, readers can expect the stakes to escalate in the next chapter of *The Heart I Buried for You*. Deanna’s resolve to distance herself from Luis is palpable, but the magnetic pull between them remains undeniable. With Malcolm’s arrival, the dynamics shift, introducing new complexities and potential conflicts. Will Deanna find solace in Malcolm’s presence, or will her heart betray her as she grapples with her unresolved feelings for Luis? The tension between the three characters promises to unravel secrets and ignite confrontations that could change everything.

Moreover, the chapter will delve deeper into the tangled web of emotions that bind Deanna and Luis. As Deanna struggles to maintain her composure, Luis’s determination to reclaim what they once had will challenge her defenses. Will he succeed in breaking through her walls, or will Deanna’s newfound strength push him further away? Readers can anticipate a mixture of heart-wrenching choices and unexpected revelations as the night unfolds beneath the enigmatic glow of the moon, setting the stage for a dramatic confrontation that will leave everyone questioning their true desires.