All Chapters of Marked by the Alpha King : Chapter 71 - Chapter 80

Morning came slowly.The kind that didn’t feel like a new beginning—Just a continuation of everything unresolved.Eli woke before the sun fully rose.Not because he was rested.But because his body refused to stay still.He sat up, running a hand through his hair, his mind already heavy with everything from the night before.The kiss.Not just the act—But the feeling.That split second where he didn’t push Kieran away.Where something in him responded.Eli exhaled sharply.“…It doesn’t mean anything.”He repeated it like a rule.Like something he had to believe.But even as he said it—His fingers unconsciously brushed against his lips.And that warmth—That lingering sensation—Didn’t feel meaningless.“…Damn it.”He got up quickly.Like movement could shake it off.Like distance could fix something that clearly wasn’t about distance anymore.Outside, the estate was already awake.Guards moving.Voices low.Everything felt normal.Too normal.Like nothing inside him had changed—Ev

Rain came before dawn.Soft at first.Then steady.By the time Eli opened his eyes, the sound had already filled the room—quiet, constant, almost suffocating in how calm it felt.He didn’t move immediately.Just lay there, staring at nothing.Because the moment he woke up—He felt it.Something… different.Not outside.Inside.Like something had shifted during the night.Eli sat up slowly, pressing his fingers against his temple.“…It’s getting clearer…”Not completely.But closer.Too close.He swung his legs off the bed and stood, his body heavier than usual, like something was weighing him down from the inside.Another flicker—“You’re late.”A voice.Familiar.Teasing.Eli froze.“…That tone…”It wasn’t the cold, controlled Kieran he knew now.It was lighter.Younger.Alive.Eli clenched his jaw.“…Who were you…”Because the more he remembered—The more it didn’t match.And that scared him.He didn’t realize when he left his room.Or how he ended up outside.The rain soaked into h

That night, Eli didn’t try to sleep.Not because he couldn’t—But because he didn’t want to lose what he had just seen.The memory.It lingered.Clearer than anything before it.Not broken.Not distant.Real.He sat on the edge of his bed, elbows resting on his knees, staring at nothing.“…I smiled…”The thought felt strange.Not impossible—Just unfamiliar.Because the version of himself in that memory—Wasn’t weighed down.He was… free.Eli ran a hand over his face slowly.“…And you…”His voice dropped.“…you weren’t like this.”Not cold.Not controlled.Not watching every word like it could break something.Kieran had been—Easy.And that version of him—Was harder to reject.Eli leaned back slightly, exhaling.“…That’s not fair.”Because how was he supposed to fight something—That didn’t feel wrong?A soft knock came at the door.Eli stiffened slightly.“…Come in.”The door opened quietly.Kieran stepped inside.No guards.No tension.Just him.“…You didn’t sleep.”Not a question

Eli didn’t move immediately after that.Not forward.Not backward.Just… stood there.Like his body hadn’t caught up with what just happened.The air between them felt different now.Heavier.Closer.Because this time—He hadn’t just reacted.He had responded.And they both knew it.Eli let out a slow breath, dragging a hand through his hair.“…This is getting out of hand.”His voice was low.Not angry.Just… unsettled.Kieran didn’t step closer.Didn’t touch him again.For once—He held back.Because pushing now—Would break something.“…Then stop me.”Eli glanced at him sharply.“…You think I won’t?”Kieran’s gaze didn’t waver.“…I think you can’t.”That—Irritated him.Eli scoffed.“…You’re too confident.”Kieran’s lips curved faintly.“…You made me this way.”Eli rolled his eyes slightly.“…Stop saying things like that.”But there was no real heat behind it.Because part of him—Was starting to believe it.And that made everything worse.Eli stepped back this time.Creating space.

Eli didn’t remember falling asleep.But when he opened his eyes—It didn’t feel like morning.It felt… heavy.Like something had followed him into his sleep—And refused to let go.He sat up slowly, breath uneven.“…That dream…”No.Not a dream.It hadn’t felt like one.It felt too real.Too close.His hand pressed lightly against his chest.“…Why does it feel like I was there…”Because he was.Fragments lingered.Not clear.But stronger than before.A room.Dim light.Close space.Warm breath.“…Kieran…”His name slipped out unconsciously.And Eli froze.Because—He hadn’t meant to say it like that.Not softly.Not like it belonged on his tongue.He clenched his jaw.“…This is getting worse.”But deep down—He knew it wasn’t.It wasn’t getting worse.It was getting clearer.And that scared him more.He didn’t stay in his room.Couldn’t.Because sitting still meant thinking—And thinking meant remembering.So he moved.Down the hallway.Through the quiet estate.Until his feet carried