Marked By the Pureblood Alpha (Deanna and Luis) novel Chapter 401

Deanna's POV:

I opened my eyes slowly the next morning, still heavy with sleep.

Pregnancy had sharpened my senses, and almost instantly, I noticed that Luis's familiar cedarwood scent had faded.

I reached out toward the empty space beside the bed. As expected, no one was there.

Just as I was about to sit up, I caught sight of a man standing by the full-length mirror not far away.

Propping my head up with one hand, I lay on my side and watched him without moving.

He was dressed in a black shirt and black slacks, tall and straight-backed.

A pure-blood Alpha's physique carried that natural blend of elegance and power, like a predator at ease. Even something as simple as tying a tie made the muscles in his forearms tense, and the curve of that movement reminded me of the warmth of his hands when he'd massaged me the night before.

I remembered hugging Puddy and watching the movie after he went to shower.

I didn't remember when I fell asleep.

Or when I ended up back in bed.

Luis must have heard the movement from the bed. He turned his head, glanced at me, and the corner of his lips lifted slightly. "You're awake?"

I hummed lazily, my voice still rough with sleep.

Luis walked over to the bed. "Do you know how to tie a tie?"

"Huh?" I froze for a second. "Yeah."

He let his hands fall from the tie and lowered his head, eyes slanting at me, voice smooth as sin. "Then, do it for me."

I pushed myself upright, reached out, and rested my hands on his collar. My fingers caught the black tie, looped it around his neck, crossed it neatly against the dark shirt, and tied a clean, precise knot.

Luis's POV:

I lowered my head and stared straight at Deanna, my gaze deep and intent.

She had just woken up, her fair skin so soft you could almost see the fine texture on her cheeks.

Her lashes curled downward, hiding those clear, bright eyes as she focused intently on tying my tie.

Deanna's POV:

Luis nodded, saying nothing.

"Come home early once you're done," I said.

"Okay."

Luis rubbed my hair gently and turned to leave.

Just before he reached the door, I called out softly, "Luis."

He stopped, turned back, and looked at me with mild curiosity, lips curling into a light smile. "What is it?"

I looked up at him seriously and said, word by word, "I hope everything goes smoothly for you today."

I trusted that with Luis's abilities, the corporate summit would go just fine.

Still, I wanted to cheer him on.

Luis looked at me, his voice low and certain. "I'll make sure my Luna stands where she belongs."