The Girl He Marked by Laila Callaway novel Chapter 3

Axel's POV.

It takes a long time for us to finish our meal because we don't stop talking.

Grace asks me more about my parents, I use the opportunity to try and open her mind to soul mates.

'There's this weird thing in my family where, we all believe we have soul mates,' I start to explain.

Grace raises her eyebrows in surprise, and I hold my hand.

'I know, sounds crazy, right'

She shrugs. 'Not crazy, very hopeful.'

'It might seem unrealistic, but it's how it has always been in every generation. Every member of my family has a soul mate and when they find them, they've always been together for all their lives. No one in my family has ever separated or divorced.'

Grace looks surprised but seems to like the idea.

Thank fuck.

Because she's mine and I intend to spend the rest of my life with her, but I don't think now is the time to drop that bombshell.

'You believe you have a soul mate' She asks.

It might be wishful thinking, but I swear there is hope in her eyes.

It's too soon to tell her it's her, right

Panic fills me. This is our second date, I don't want to scare her off, but she looks so hopeful.

'Yes, I know I do,' I reply smoothly. 'My parents had to wait until they were twenty—eight to find her, I haven't had to wait anywhere near that long.'

'You mean you've met her already' Grace asks cautiously.

She blinks at me, and I give her a pointed look, waiting for her to catch on. She bites her bottom lip and looks at me shyly.

'You mean…me' She asks, hope filling her voice.

I chuckle at her cuteness.

'Why else do you think I've been so eager to take you on dates, spend my time with you' I shrug. 'But I don't want to scare you off. If you don't believe in that sort of thing, it's okay, it's just something my family believes in.'

'No! I'm not saying I don't believe in it,' Grace quickly replies. 'I just can't quite believe you think it's me.'

Her cheeks turn a little pinker and she looks down at her plate.

'I'm happy you do think that' she confesses. 'But also, you could easily change your mind. It's only been six days; how do you really know it is me'

I give her a smug smile. 'I know, Strawberries. It's instinct.'

The server takes away our dishes and offers us the dessert menu. Grace suggests sharing a dessert.

With any other person, it would be a straight—out no from me. But with Grace, I'll do anything to make her happy. Plus, the girl doesn't eat much so I know that I'll be getting the bigger portion.

The fudge brownie with vanilla ice cream comes and the two of us share it. As predicted, Grace allows me to have the lion's share. Or should that be wolf's share

When we're done, we walk back to my car, our joined hands swinging between us.

I park up on the street where I picked her up. As I cut the engine, Grace turns to me.

'Thank you for the best date I've ever been on. I loved Thursday's date, but tonight…' She blushes. 'Tonight was special, thank you.'

I lean over the console and tuck a stray curl behind her ear.

'Thank you, Grace Barlow. I have loved it and I can't wait to take you out again next week.'

Her lips twitch with amusement. 'I haven't even said yes yet.'

I grin at that.

'Come on, Strawberries, we both know you're going to say yes.'

Her giggle fills the car, making me happy. I love it when she's laughing.

'Okay, maybe I'll say yes.'

I move a little closer to her and her eyes widen.

'Maybe you need a teaser of the date, you know, something to tempt you.'

She smiles with unrestrained happiness. 'Tempt me How are you going to—'

I cut her off with my lips.

I kiss her gently at first, letting her recover from the surprise. Slowly, she starts to kiss me back. Her little hands grab the fabric of my shirt for support.

With one hand on the back of her neck, I place the other on her cheek, holding her exactly where I want her.

She kisses me back with equal enthusiasm. Her lips move confidently with mine, and she easily lets me lead the kiss.

When I run my tongue over her bottom lip, she eagerly opens up to me. Our tongues meet and she moans quietly. I angle my head slightly, allowing me to kiss her deeper.

Desire burns through me, and I can feel my gums tingling, warning that my incisors want to elongate and mark her.

I pull back quickly, leaving us both gasping for breath.

'Sorry, got a bit carried away,' I tell her breathlessly.

She laughs lightly and rubs her lips together. 'It's okay. I liked it.'

I look over at her, surprised by her subdued confession.

She straightens herself out and grabs her bag, ready to go. Disappointment fills me that the date is over.

Grace turns to me and smiles softly.

'Seriously, Axel. Thank you so much for being so good to me. I was terrified to move to a new town and start at a new school. You have made me feel so welcome and honestly, I'm the happiest I've been in ages. You make me happy, so thank you.'

My heart warms at her words. I've succeeded. I make my mate happy.

That's all I ever want, for her to be happy.

'That's all I want, Strawberries,' I echo my thoughts aloud. 'I want you to be happy with me.'

She smiles sweetly and leans over to peck my cheek.

'I'll see you on Monday.'

She opens the car door and I watch as she steps out. Just before she closes it, she leans down and into the car.

'And by the way, you can kiss me whenever you like, Axel Archer.'

With that, my little minx of a mate closes the door and struts off down the road.

I stare after her, my lips parted in surprise.

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Monday morning is ugh, because of Mondays, but kinda good as well because I get to see Grace.

She comes over to where we're sitting in the common room. All of the seats are taken, and I pat my lap in the offering.

She smiles and drops her bag on the floor. She gently places herself on my lap and wraps her arm around my shoulders. I put my arm around her waist and pull her against me.

She's wearing a thin top and a skirt today, with thigh—high socks. I can't resist running my finger over the small part of her thigh exposed between the skirt and the sock.

She shivers at my touch and goose—bumps break out on her skin. She snuggles against me and rests her head on my shoulder.

'That feels nice,' she whispers and moves my hand back from her knee and onto her thigh.

I swallow hard and continue tracing patterns on the bare skin. She sighs contently and closes her eyes.

Everything else seems to fall away when I'm touching Grace. It's like tunnel—vision. She is all I can see or focus on.

'Axe' Grace's voice softly calling my name gains my attention.

I look at her and she chuckles. Glancing around consciously, I see that everyone in the group is looking at me.

'You zoned out whilst staring at me, what were you thinking about' She whispers in my ear.

I squeeze her tighter against me. 'How perfect you are.'

She blushes and bumps me with her shoulder.

'Yeah, yeah,' she replies with disbelief.

I pin her with a serious look. 'Honest.'

She swallows and nods quickly. 'Everyone was wondering if you're free on Friday.'

I look over and Finlay smiles. 'My parents are out; I'm having a house party. You're coming, right'

Like me, Finlay's parents don't live on the pack grounds, meaning it's safe to have parties with humans invited.

I look at Grace. 'Will you come'

She pulls her bottom lip between her teeth as she considers it.

'Maybe, if my mum will let me.'

'Do you mind if I go' I ask her and her brows furrow as she frowns.

'Of course not. Are you asking my permission to go' She asks incredulously.

I shrug. 'I wouldn't go if you didn't want me to go without you.'

Grace's face softens. 'Aw, Axe! That's so sweet.'

'It is, I might vomit,' Xaden grumbles from the corner.

Rory digs her elbow into his side, making him curse loudly.

'Don't mind him,' she says and smiles innocently.

'I'll beg Mum, she might let me go,' Grace says.

I turn to Finlay. 'Sounds good, Finn.'

The rest of Monday drags. Having Grace around certainly makes it better.

When I get home from school, I ask my parents and as usual, they're cool with me going. They've always been trusting of me and given me a lot of freedom; I appreciate them for doing that.

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