Marked By the Pureblood Alpha (Deanna and Luis) novel Chapter 286

**Chapter 286: Honey**

**Deanna’s POV:**

The stillness of the room was abruptly pierced by Malcolm’s voice, layered with a hint of regret. “I didn’t comfort you last night. I’m sorry.”

Setting my cup down gently, I felt the warmth of the tea still radiating through my fingers. “Thank you, Mr. Faulkner. You truly saved me. If it weren’t for your intervention, I might not even be here today,” I replied, my voice steady but laced with sincerity.

A flicker of disappointment crossed Malcolm’s face, a shadow that hinted at deeper emotions. “But in your heart, I’m still just ‘Mr. Faulkner.'”

His words hung in the air, heavy with unspoken longing. I could feel the weight of his expectation pressing down on me, a reminder of the emotional chasm that still lay between us.

With a mix of curiosity and vulnerability, I finally summoned the courage to ask the question that had been gnawing at me for far too long. “Why do you like me? We haven’t really known each other for very long, have we?”

A soft smile broke across Malcolm’s face, illuminating his eyes with a warmth that momentarily made me forget my turmoil. “Liking someone is a feeling that transcends time. If I were to claim that I can’t live without you at this very moment, you might dismiss it as mere flattery. But Deanna, what I truly want to convey is that I don’t care about your pregnancy. If given the chance, I would love to care for both you and the baby.”

I shook my head gently, trying to dismiss his offer, feeling a mix of gratitude and confusion. “You don’t have to do that, Mr. Faulkner.”

He regarded me with a small, hopeful smile, his eyes searching mine. “Is there someone else in your life right now?”

Luis’s image flashed through my mind—a fleeting reminder of what was, a ghost of my past. But as the reality of my impending departure loomed like a dark cloud, I found myself shaking my head in response, the words caught in my throat.

A glimmer of hope ignited in Malcolm’s eyes, as if he had just caught a whiff of possibility. “Then I still have a chance.”

“Can I at least learn about the kind of person the child’s father is?” he asked, his tone shifting to one of genuine curiosity.

I lowered my gaze, my thumb tracing the rim of my cup absentmindedly, lost in the tide of memories that crashed over me.

After a moment’s pause, I spoke with a tone that felt almost indifferent, though my heart betrayed me. “When everyone else turned their backs on me, he was the only one who stood firmly by my side, unwavering.”

Memories flooded my mind, vivid and bittersweet, each one a reminder of the unique affection Luis had for me—a love that never needed to be explicitly named.

He never uttered the word “love,” yet his actions spoke volumes. He would confront anyone who dared to hurt me, showering me with extravagant gifts like a moonstone bracelet that sparkled with the light of a thousand stars. He set off fireworks in my honor, and even built the D Hotel, a grand testament to his devotion.

Malcolm listened intently, his demeanor shifting to one of melancholy as he absorbed the depth of my memories. “It seems I arrived too late.”

“But as long as you don’t have a confirmed mate, I won’t give up,” he added, a note of determination in his voice.

A surge of defiance rose within me, and I replied coolly, “Once I leave Nerdvale, none of this will matter. The baby and I will forge a new life, far away from here.”

“Honey, I’m here to pick you up.”

That single word, “honey,” echoed in the air, causing all eyes to shift toward me, curiosity and intrigue written across their faces.

I froze, caught in a whirlwind of emotions, torn between the urge to walk over to him and the instinct to run away.

More and more people turned to stare, their whispers growing louder, fueling my anxiety.

In that moment of uncertainty, I decided to pretend I hadn’t heard anything and bolted in the opposite direction, my heart racing as I escaped the spotlight, the weight of their gazes pressing down on me.

As I fled from the scene, my heart pounded not just from the rush of adrenaline, but from the weight of the choices I faced. The warmth of Malcolm’s words lingered in my mind, a gentle reminder of the possibility of new beginnings, yet the familiarity of Luis’s presence tugged at my heart with an intensity I couldn’t ignore. I had spent so long buried in the memories of a love that felt both comforting and suffocating, and now, standing at this crossroads, I realized how deeply I craved the freedom to choose my own path. The echoes of “honey” lingered in the air, a bittersweet reminder of what was and what could be, leaving me torn between the safety of my past and the uncertain promise of my future.

In that moment of flight, I understood that running away was not just about escaping the spotlight but about confronting the fears that had held me captive for too long. I had to face the truth that my heart was not merely a vessel for someone else’s love; it was a living, breathing entity that yearned for its own story. As I navigated the bustling streets of Nerdvale, I felt the weight of my pregnancy and the choices ahead, but also a flicker of hope igniting within me. I was ready to reclaim my narrative, to embrace the complexities of love and responsibility, and to carve out a life that was truly mine, whether it led me back to Luis or into the arms of someone new.

**What to Expect in the Next Chapter?**

As the tension between Deanna and Malcolm simmers, the unexpected arrival of Luis promises to ignite a whirlwind of emotions in the upcoming chapter. With Deanna caught off guard by Luis’s bold declaration, readers can anticipate a dramatic confrontation that will force her to confront her past and the unresolved feelings she harbors. Will she succumb to the magnetic pull of their history, or will she stand firm in her resolve to forge a new life for herself and her baby? The stakes are higher than ever as the spotlight shifts, and Deanna must grapple with the weight of her decisions amidst the scrutiny of onlookers.

Moreover, the dynamics between Deanna, Malcolm, and Luis are set to evolve in ways that could alter the course of their relationships. Malcolm’s determination to win Deanna’s affection clashes with Luis’s effortless charm and the deep-rooted connection they share. Expect a clash of emotions as Deanna navigates her feelings for both men, each representing different paths for her future. With the promise of heartfelt revelations and unexpected twists, the next chapter is sure to leave readers on the edge of their seats, eager to discover which direction Deanna’s heart will ultimately lead her.