The Girl He Marked by Laila Callaway novel Chapter 3

Callie's POV.

Nate and I agree on Tuesday to meet.

Ben watches with a frown on his face as I pack to stay over at Nate's. He hands me a huge hoodie of his.

'What's this' I ask him.

'For you to sleep in. You don't need any of that silk or lace shit, you can wear your brother's hoodie.'

I give him a deadpan look.

'You can't be serious.'

Except, we both know that he is.

'Ben, I am not wearing your hoodie to sleep in,' I tell him firmly and shove the hoodie back at him.

My brother huffs and leaves the room. I breathe a sigh of relief and subtly slide in a silk nighty.

What my brothers don't know, won't hurt them.

Honestly, you'd think I was sixteen years old, the way they treat me. They also act like Nate isn't my fated mate, that he isn't the one man destined to love me unconditionally.

By the time Nate comes to pick me up, Ben has managed to accept the fact that I am staying over at my mate's house tonight.

I'm surprised he hasn't called Rixon for backup.

It's crazy, really. I'm going to be living with this guy one day, how are they going to react when I move out

'I would invite you in, but Ben is on one today and I'm not putting you through that, you don't deserve it,' I tell Nate as I walk straight out of the house and shut the door behind me.

Nate laughs and shrugs. 'Alright.'

He holds my hand as he drives us over to his house. We tell each other about our days.

I silently wonder when we should move in together. Most mates do it within the first week of the meeting. But not the ones that I know.

Myra and Jayce didn't, I don't think. Lexi and Rixon didn't. The only ones I know who moved quite fast were Alena and Elijah.

When we get to his house, Nate shows me to the guest room, where I leave my bag. It's lovely, but I wish I didn't have to stay in it.

I wish I could share a bed with him, but I don't want him to experience first—hand, how horrible my nightmares can be. Hopefully, if I have one tonight, he will sleep through it.

I help Nate make dinner for us. We laugh and joke around, whipping up a delicious lasagne, if I do say so myself.

Although, I'll admit, I'm hungry and biased.

The evening passes quickly. We sit outside in the garden with a blanket, looking up at the stars and sharing whimsical thoughts.

The nerves start building as I get ready for bed. Nate kisses me goodnight and goes down to his own bedroom. I look at the three meters between his door and mine. Not far enough to hide anything I shout or cry during a nightmare.

An anxious pit forms in my stomach as I climb under the covers. I close my eyes and pray that I don't have a nightmare. I don't want to have to explain things to him yet.

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The morning comes and I feel alarmingly well—rested. I use the en—suite and get ready for the day.

Once I'm dressed and presentable, I cautiously venture out of the spare room. Nate is already downstairs, and the smell of bacon wafts up to the landing.

I rush down, my stomach rumbling.

Nate looks over his shoulder at me from the stove.

'Morning, beautiful,' he greets me. 'Did you sleep okay'

I let out a breath I didn't know I'd been holding.

I didn't have a nightmare.

'Yes, I did, thank you,' I reply. 'Really well, actually.'

Nate serves us up breakfast and comments on my abnormally chipper mood. Not that I'm not usually happy around him, but he jokes that I'm on a sugar rush without the sugar.

What he doesn't know, is that I'm so happy that I had my first night without any nightmares.

This is great. This means we can share a bed.

Maybe a mate is the cure

I hope so.

'Can we do this again' I ask, surprising Nate.

He smiles, surprised but happy.

'Of course! Do you want to stay over tonight'

'Are you sure you want to see me again so soon' I check and he chuckles.

'Of course, I do. If I had it my way, you'd never leave.'

He says the words so casually, as he clears away our plates. I stare after him, stunned into silence.

He wants me to stay

'What Like, live together' I confirm and he laughs.

'Yes. Is that so hard to believe I've waited twelve years for my mate, Callie,' he replies. His face turns serious, as if he has just heard his own words aloud. 'But don't feel pressured, I've waited that long, I can certainly wait longer.'

He's such a sweetie.

I can't believe he wants me to live with him.

'Is this you offering for me to move in' I ask him, with one dubiously raised eyebrow.

Nate grins, wiping his hands on a towel. He walks over to the island, where I'm sat on a barstool. He rests his elbows on the counter and leans in close to me.

'And if it is' He asks teasingly.

I purse my lips to keep myself from grinning back.

'If it is, then I'll have to consider your offer, Mr. Archer.'

Nate pecks my nose, making me giggle.

'You do that, Miss Moretti, but no rush on giving me an answer. We've got all the time in the world.'

He's right. With our slow aging, we quite literally do.

Our jovial atmosphere remains for the rest of the morning. Nate drops me home after lunch, giving me a few hours to get myself sorted and pack for a second night at his.

'You're staying over again' Ben blurts, obviously surprised.

I roll my eyes at him.

'Why is this shocking We're mates, that's what mates do; spend time together.'

'Yes, but…two nights in a row!'

I scoff at my brother's theatrics. 'When you find your mate, Ben, you'll understand.'

'Are you sure that two nights in a row is a good idea' Rixon chips in from my doorway.

'Oh, not you as well! Bugger off you two,' I snap, trying to focus on packing.

Nate and I have a date planned for tomorrow and I still haven't chosen my outfit.

Realizing that Rixon has arrived, I tell him my good news.

'I didn't have a nightmare,' I tell him proudly. 'I think Nate is the cure.'

At that, my brother smiles.

'That's amazing, Cal.'

'See,' I tell him pointedly. 'Maybe spending time with Nate isn't such a bad thing after all.'

My brothers have nothing to say to that, for once.

They leave me to pack the rest of my things in peace. I hover my hand over the silk nighty I took yesterday, but never wore.

Maybe I should ask to sleep in Nate's bed tonight

I want to, and I get the feeling he wants me to, too.

I hold the nighty in my hands, running my fingers over the smooth, cold fabric.

I'm being the new Callie, remember

The strong Callie, the bold Callie, the Callie that isn't afraid anymore.

With that strengthening thought, I put the nighty in the bag. I tuck it to the bottom and zip up the duffel.

When I come downstairs, Rixon and Ben are sat in the living room. Their eyes are on the TV, but I know their ears are perked, listening out for the doorbell.

Not a chance.

I text Nate and tell him to wait in the car, that I'll come out to him.

He has to meet my brothers eventually, I know, but not today. To be honest, I'd rather he didn't meet them until I'm marked. That way, they can't do anything about it, it'll be too late.

Nate pulls up on the road, rather than the drive.

'Alright guys, I'll see you tomorrow!' I call.

I hear them shouting after me, but I slam the door and rush down the pathway.

I'm in Nate's car when Rixon appears at the door.

'Go, go, go!' I hurriedly tell Nate.

He floors it down the street, leaving my brothers far behind.

Haha, suck on that, Moretti men.

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