The Girl He Marked by Laila Callaway novel Chapter 3

Axel's POV.

I completely forgot about the full moon!

My mouth goes dry as panic fills me.

If shifters have met their mates and not marked them, when a full moon occurs, it affects the shifters. In this case, it will be me who is affecting, Grace will be fine.

I will go crazy trying to find her and mark her. The only solution is to lock me up until the sun rises.

'Um, I'll have to figure something out, get locked up.'

Jeanette nods, her expression serious. 'Good idea.'

I take out my phone and check the date. It's on a Tuesday.

Grace suddenly appears in the doorway.

'Axel' She calls my name softly.

I spin around to face her and smile. 'Sorry, Strawberries, I'm coming.'

I turn back to her mother. 'See you soon.'

'Bye, Axel.'

Grace and I walk to her front door. She opens it and we step out onto the porch.

'You survived,' she says with a laugh.

I wrap my arms around her waist and pull her against my body.

'Yes, I did.' I kiss her forehead and she sighs, closing her eyes contently.

'I'm sorry about my mad family. I can't believe my mum went off at you like that, it was so weird!'

I shrug at her, not meeting her eyes. I don't like lying to her, I swore I never would. So, I tell the truth…the partial truth.

'It was a misunderstanding, don't worry,' I tell her.

It was actually a misunderstanding.

This is good, this isn't a lie.

'Well, I'm glad she apologized,' Grace grumbles. 'My brothers and sister were surprisingly well—behaved, too. I think you might have to come round more often.'

'I'll be happy to.'

'I'll see you at school tomorrow, then' She says sweetly.

I nod and bend down to capture her lips. I think, after the way her mum spoke to me tonight, I deserve a kiss from my beautiful mate.

Her lips move softly against mine. She tangles her fingers in my hair and lifts up on her tiptoes to press her lips more firmly against mine.

I love it when my little mate takes control like this. I love her showing how much she wants me.

I feel the bond a lot more strongly than she does, so moments like this, where she is so into it, mean everything. I want her to want me as much as I want her.

I slide my hands up her book to her hair, keeping her held against me. I want nothing more than to take her back to mine and get her into my bed, but I need to remember we're still on her front porch.

Her tongue nudging against mine is like a wake—up call.

I pull back and my adorable mate huffs in annoyance.

'Your mum could see,' I tell her teasingly and she scowls.

'I don't care! I was enjoying that,' she pouts, increasing her cuteness even more.

I decide to take a chance and push my luck.

'I tell you what, why don't you come to mine this weekend' I ask her hopefully. 'You could even stay over, if you want. Do you think your mum would let you'

She chews on her bottom lip, drawing my eyes to it. I want to kiss her again.

'I'm not sure. I've never had a boyfriend before, so I think this is pretty new to her as well. I don't know if she would let me, even if I promised to sleep in separate rooms.'

I shrug, trying to act like I'm not as disappointed as I feel. I don't want her feeling pressured.

'That's okay, you can always come round just for dinner. I want to spend time with you, and I'll take you any way I can get,' I respond and Grace giggles.

'That sounded dirty,' she comments, her cheeks warming.

I stroke my hands over her hot cheeks, admiring how pretty she looks when she's flushed.

'It did, didn't it Sorry. Anyway, ask your mum but don't worry if she says no, we'll have dinner together. I'll see you tomorrow, Strawberries.'

I kiss her forehead and then take my leave, driving home with a smile on my face.

My parents are waiting for me when I get home, they call me through as soon as they hear the door.

'How was it' Mum asks excitedly.

I sit down on one of the sofas and put my feet up on the coffee table. Mum frowns but doesn't say anything. I'm not wearing shoes so it's not that bad.

'Her mum knows about shifters,' I tell them, and they are suitably surprised. 'Apparently, Grace's dad was one. Grace doesn't know.'

My dad frowns. 'How did she know what you are Lucky guess'

I scowl at his question. 'She burned me!'

Both of my parents laugh at that, knowing I couldn't have been badly injured.

'She pretended to bump into me with the hot pan and burned my arm. Then she demanded to see the burn,' I tell them. 'Grace's dad had a relationship with her mum and then left her for his mate. She is rather resentful towards shifters because of it.

'Does she disapprove of your relationship then' Mum asks with a worried expression.

She wants Grace and I to be happy so badly, I know she's worried about how much harder it is for us because Grace doesn't know.

'She didn't at first, but once I had explained that Grace is my mate, she was fine. She apologized and everything.'

Both of them breathe a sigh of relief.

'That's good,' Dad says. 'At least she knows. It means you don't have to try and hide your true self from her, only from Grace for the meantime.'

I nod in agreement. 'Yeah, it certainly makes the whole thing a little easier.'

I wouldn't change a thing about Grace, but I will admit that having a human mate is a lot harder than having a shifter one.

'The full moon is on Tuesday, I'm going to need to be chained up,' I tell them.

Mum winces, no doubt not liking the thought of her son chained up like an animal.

'I'll collect some chains from the pack cells tomorrow,' Dad suggests.

I thank him and get to my feet. 'I'm off to my room, night.'

I lay on my bed later on, thinking about the full moon.

Luckily, I only need to be chained for one of the nights that the moon is technically full. The middle one.

How many full moons am I going to have to go through before I tell Grace what I am

What if she freaks and breaks up with me

If she does, we'll both start to feel the pain of our separation. She would come back to me eventually; she just wouldn't know why.

I have faith in the Moon Goddess. She will make sure that everything works out.

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I get a text from Grace on Saturday morning.

She said yes!!! I think she's still feeling guilty for going crazy at you. What should I pack to stay over

I grin as I read the message. She's allowed to stay over!

'Mum, can Grace stay over after dinner tonight' I call down the stairs.

Mum pops into the corridor and smiles up at me.

'She's allowed to sleep over' She asks, surprise and happiness in her voice.

I nod and she grins.

'Of course she can! Should I make up the guest bed or will she be staying with you'

There is no judgment in her tone or expression. One of the things I love about my mum, she is totally relaxed.

'I'm not sure. Could you make up the spare room just in case, please I don't want Grace to feel pressured.'

'That's my boy. Of course, I will.'

I look back at my phone and reply to Grace.

Hell yeah!! What do you mean Like what clothes to bring

My phone buzzes with her reply before I've made it back into my room.

Yes! What do I wear

I laugh at that. Grace is always stressing about outfits.

Nothing.

I wait for her reply to my text. Something tells me she won't be pleased with my joking around.

Ha. Ha. Very funny. Seriously, what do I wear

I sigh and sit down on my bed.

I don't know! Why does she ask me this She looks perfect in everything.

Whatever you like. We're not going out for dinner so dress casually. Remember to bring pajamas or you might give Mr. Snuggles nightmares.

As soon as I send the text, I curse myself for it.

Why did I tell her that

As predicted, her answering text comes through.

Who the hell is Mr. Snuggles

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