Marked By the Pureblood Alpha (Deanna and Luis) novel Chapter 282

**Chapter 282 Don’t Act Tough in Front of Me**

**Deanna’s POV:**

I found myself biting my lip, the anxiety bubbling within me as I attempted to clarify my feelings once again.

“Luis, I’m not as fragile as you think. Tonight was just a momentary lapse; I let my emotions get the better of me, but I’m perfectly fine now. You really don’t have to fret over me.”

His soft sigh reached my ears, and I could sense the weight of his concern. He spoke slowly, choosing his words with care.

“Deanna, when you’re with me, it’s okay to be sad, to laugh, or even to throw a fit. You can express whatever you’re feeling. I promise I won’t pressure you anymore. But please, just don’t feel like you have to act tough in front of me when you’re feeling down.”

His words struck a chord deep within me, causing my eyelashes to flutter with emotion.

As he lifted the spoon of soup toward me once more, I found I could not refuse him this time. With a gentle nod, I opened my mouth and took a careful sip.

“How is it?” he asked, his voice laced with anticipation.

“It’s… okay,” I replied, trying to keep my tone neutral.

Luis’s lips curled into a teasing smile. “Just okay? The servant spent hours simmering this, and then I dedicated another half hour to perfecting it when we got back. Ms. Wiley, you’ve turned into quite the picky eater.”

I shot him a playful glare. “Isn’t that a normal trait for pregnant women?”

He nodded, his smile widening. “You’re absolutely right. The pregnant woman is always right; you’re the one in charge here.”

With that, he continued to feed me, each spoonful a small act of care, until the entire bowl of soup was finally empty.

Once I had finished, I stood up, ready to return to the bedroom for some much-needed rest.

But just as I rose, I felt the warmth of his large hands settle on either side of my waist, grounding me in the moment.

In a swift motion, Luis bent down, pressing the side of his face against my belly. “If this little rascal keeps bouncing around in there, I swear I’m going to give it a spanking when it finally arrives.”

Since the start of my pregnancy, I had immersed myself in numerous werewolf pregnancy guides. They all mentioned how many male werewolves had this instinct to press against the belly, using their scent to comfort the pup growing within.

His affectionate gesture left me momentarily dazed, a wave of warmth flooding through me.

At the hospital, it felt like his presence had eased the pain in my belly, and now, I shook my head gently, trying to dismiss any lingering discomfort. “It’s fine now,” I reassured him.

But he was quicker. His hand shot out, capturing my wrist with a gentle yet firm grip. With a tender tug, he pulled me into his embrace, enveloping me in his strong arms.

I found myself pressed against his bare chest, the warmth radiating from him was both comforting and electrifying.

The intimacy of the moment was overwhelming, leaving no room for escape. I could feel the heat of his body and the unmistakable scent of his Alpha presence wrapping around me like a protective cocoon.

**Luis’s POV:**

Initially, I had only intended to tease her.

But then, as I watched her cheeks flush and her attempts to hide her embarrassment, I couldn’t help but find her utterly adorable—like a startled little creature caught off guard.

But the softness of her body, small and delicate against mine, sent a rush of warmth coursing through me, igniting a desire I hadn’t felt in far too long.

I studied her intently, captivated by her delicate features, the small curve of her nose, and those inviting red lips that seemed to beckon me closer.

Deanna’s eyes flickered with uncertainty, her voice trembling. “Weren’t you going to… take a shower?”

The tension in the air was palpable, a mix of longing and playful banter hanging between us.