Marked By the Pureblood Alpha (Deanna and Luis) novel Chapter 229

**Chapter 229: You Can Buy Me a Meal**

**Deanna’s POV:**

I paused for a brief moment, trying to gather my scattered thoughts, my eyes fixated on the man standing before me.

His presence was both commanding and calming, an intriguing blend that instantly captivated me. He stood tall, exuding an undeniable confidence, his posture impeccable. There was something almost otherworldly about his features; they were finely chiseled, delicate in a way that made him seem both approachable and dignified. The glasses perched on his nose framed eyes that were deep and gentle, lacking the harshness often associated with a high-ranking Alpha. Instead, he radiated a serene sophistication, a testament to a man of culture and refinement.

While he might not possess the striking handsomeness of Luis, he had a charm that was simply magnetic.

If I had ever encountered a man like him before, I would have certainly remembered every single detail.

A frown creased my brow as I wrestled with the urge to place him. “I’m sorry, I…”

“Three years ago, we met at the Luminara Restaurant. You had reserved the entire venue for that evening,” Malcolm said, his voice smooth and soothing, just as I recalled it.

The moment he mentioned the restaurant, a torrent of memories surged through me, crashing over my senses like a wave.

It was Jake’s birthday, a night I had meticulously orchestrated. I had envisioned a candlelit dinner, hoping to create a magical atmosphere to celebrate him, to show him how much he meant to me.

But, as fate would have it, Jake had let me down once again.

I had waited for what felt like an eternity, my heart sinking deeper with each ticking minute that passed.

Finally, a waiter approached, a sympathetic look etched on his face. “I’m sorry, but we’re about to close.”

I stared at the cold, untouched meal on the table and the lonely cake, my heart heavy with disappointment and sadness.

Yet, I refused to surrender to despair. “Could I have just one more hour?” I implored the waiter, desperation creeping into my voice as I clung to the hope of holding on until midnight.

The staff found themselves caught in a dilemma, bound by their rules and the relentless ticking of the clock.

Then, unexpectedly, a man passing by overheard my plea.

He stepped forward, his voice firm yet kind. “Let the lady stay as long as she needs.”

I never imagined that this compassionate stranger would turn out to be Malcolm.

The realization struck me like a bolt of lightning. “So it was you,” I said, astonished and somewhat awestruck.

Malcolm smiled, his expression warm and understanding. “How are things with your boyfriend now?”

I shook my head, keeping my response simple and honest. “I’m single now.”

**Malcolm’s POV:**

As her words reached my ears, a smile crept wider across my face, a reflection of the bittersweet nostalgia flooding my heart.

I was transported back to that night three years ago, a poignant reminder of my own heartache. That evening, Winnie Tate, my first love, had chosen her dream of ballet over the future we had envisioned together.

Feeling despondent, I had sought solace in that restaurant, nursing my sorrows with a drink, the taste of regret lingering on my tongue.

I had reserved the venue for Winnie, a gesture of love for her favorite dish, hoping to celebrate her passion.

It was then that I overheard whispers about a girl who had reserved the entire place to celebrate her boyfriend’s birthday.

Not many would go to such lengths for love, and my curiosity piqued as I glanced over.

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