My Fated Alpha's Cruel Game

Chapter 164: Chapter 164 Stars and Secrets

Elena’s POV

Marcus and I remained in that secluded clearing until the early hours of dawn. We lay side by side on the cool grass, gazing up at the star-filled sky while sharing stories about everything that came to mind.

"I still can’t wrap my head around the fact that you’ve never been in a relationship," Marcus said, his voice cutting through the peaceful silence.

"It just never happened that way," I replied with a shrug.

"That makes absolutely no sense to me. You’re gorgeous, you have this incredible wit, you’re fearless, and stronger than most guys I know. I find it impossible to believe that no one has ever tried to ask you out."

"Living on military bases your entire life tends to limit your social opportunities. Plus, I’ve been so focused on training that relationships weren’t even on my radar."

"Come on, there had to be guys around though."

I couldn’t understand his skepticism about my lack of romantic experience. Sure, I had male friends and got along well with the guys in training, but none of them had ever shown romantic interest in me. It seemed perfectly logical to me. I had always been completely absorbed in my training regimen, never allowing myself to get distracted by romantic feelings or attractions. That’s exactly why my growing feelings for Marcus felt so foreign and overwhelming.

I had never experienced anything like this intense pull toward another person. Maybe I had felt fleeting attractions here and there, but nothing substantial enough to remember.

Marcus was entirely different though. The connection I felt with him was deeper, more consuming than anything I could have imagined. Never in my wildest dreams did I think someone like him would choose me over all the other options available to him.

I assumed he would be more drawn to the girls who were constantly vying for his attention.

Since his arrival, I had watched the other female Hunters practically throw themselves at him, Koa, and Nico. They had even started knotting their training shirts to expose their midriffs whenever they thought they could get away with it.

If Captain or any of our instructors caught them pulling that stunt, they would face serious consequences.

"There was one guy who showed interest in me. But that’s not something I want to discuss," I said, quickly averting my gaze from his intense stare.

I couldn’t bear to see his reaction. Part of me wanted to tell him about Fletcher, but another part of me desperately wanted to keep that dark Chapter buried. How could I possibly explain what happened without him thinking less of me? He would probably see me as damaged, broken goods.

Despite my lack of dating experience, I understood far more about the world than most people assumed.

"What about your romantic history? I imagine you’ve had plenty of girls chasing after you," I said, steering the conversation away from my painful past.

"Not exactly throwing themselves at me, but I’ve been in a few relationships. Most weren’t serious, except for one that seemed promising until we both realized it was doomed from the start," Marcus replied.

"How did you know it wouldn’t work out?"

"We came from completely different backgrounds. Her family made it clear that someone like me would never be acceptable. There was no future in it."

"Ah, disapproving parents. Well, that’s one obstacle you don’t have to worry about with me," I said with a bitter laugh.

He chuckled softly at that.

"True. But it wasn’t just her parents that ended things. She found someone else who fit better into her world," he admitted.

"That’s rough. I’m sorry that happened to you."

"I’ve moved past it. Trying to handle it maturely, anyway. I thought I had completely gotten over it, but being here has given me a new perspective on things," he said, his eyes finding mine in the moonlight.

We barely made it back to the barracks in time to slip into our bunks before the wake-up call. There was no time for actual sleep.

The harsh fluorescent lights blazed to life and the alarm began its relentless shrieking, signaling breakfast time.

Marcus and I exchanged knowing glances as we had literally sprinted back to make it in time.

We filed into the mess hall with the rest of our bunkmates, forced to pretend that nothing significant had transpired between us during the night.

The act of maintaining normalcy proved more challenging than I anticipated. We had shared such an incredible evening together, and the complete lack of sleep meant that today’s training would be absolutely brutal.

The dining hall buzzed with the usual morning chatter, but I found it difficult to focus on anything other than the memory of lying beside Marcus under the stars. Every accidental brush of our hands as we reached for our breakfast trays sent electricity shooting through my system.

I caught him stealing glances at me when he thought no one was looking, and I had to fight to keep the smile off my face. The other Hunters would definitely notice if I suddenly started acting differently, especially the girls who had been watching Marcus’s every move since his arrival.

As we sat down with our standard-issue breakfast, I realized that despite my exhaustion, I felt more alive and energized than I had in weeks. Whatever was happening between Marcus and me was worth the sacrifice of sleep and the risk of getting caught breaking curfew.

The real challenge would be making it through today’s training exercises without giving away the secret that was now burning between us.