The Girl He Marked by Laila Callaway novel Chapter 3

Axel's POV.

'How are things with you and Grace' Rory makes conversation as we wait for Xaden and Grace to get to school.

Luke, Nick and Finlay are with us, but they're huddled around Nick's phone, talking about some new game or something.

I'm sat with my feet up, comfy on one of the plush common room chairs. Rory sits opposite me, plaiting her hair to keep herself occupied.

'Really good,' I reply to her. I'm unable to resist smiling at the mere mention of my mate.

It's only been one week since we completed the mating process and Grace shifted, but we've been inseparable. Grace now feels the bond at full force, being one of our kind.

The bond was dulled slightly when she was a human, but now, she feels everything that I do. It's made keeping our hands off of each other difficult, and we've had more 'sleepovers' than ever.

'You two are so loved up,' she comments. 'It makes me wish I'd find my mate.'

'You will soon,' I try to reassure her.

She shrugs. 'The Moon Goddess knows what's best for me, I trust her judgment. She'll send him when it's the right time.'

Grace suddenly enters the common room and my heart beats faster. I grin as I see her.

She's wearing her long red hair in two ponytails on either side of her head. Her pinafore dress makes her look adorable and she has on bright tights and a matching cardigan.

Her face lights up as she spots me, and she heads over to us. She throws her backpack to the ground and plops herself onto my lap. I no longer have to encourage her or pull her onto it, she just seats herself here now.

Rory gets out her phone to give us some privacy, a wry smile playing on her lips.

I wrap my arms around my mate's perfect body. I bury my nose in her neck and inhale her scent. Her mark is just visible over the top of her long—sleeved jumper.

Humans can't see it, only super—naturals can. I press a kiss to it, and she shivers.

'Not at school, Axe,' she whispers, chastising me.

I don't care, I've just earned my first blush of the day.

With my mate sat on my lap, I can already feel myself getting hard. I don't try and hide it from her, I flex my hips upwards and let her feel it against her cute butt.

She gasps and slaps my chest.

'What did I say We're at school!' She hisses in my ear, but I know she's not really mad.

'Not my fault you're looking so sexy this morning,' I retort.

She gives me a deadpan look. 'I'm in a pinafore dress, Axe. Don't be pervy.'

I roll my eyes at her. 'You could wear anything, and I'll always find you sexy, Strawberries.'

She blushes at that but remains tense on my lap, no doubt feeling me pressing hard and heavy against her crotch. Thank Goddess her dress is covering everything.

I rub my hand up and down her thigh and she leans back against my chest.

'We still on for tonight' I ask her and Grace nods.

'Yep. Oh, but the Mum had to work, so she's not taking the kids out for dinner. That means they'll be home all night.'

My heart sinks. Her siblings were meant to be out for dinner with her mum tonight, giving Grace and I some alone time.

The smile drops from my face and my shoulders drop. Grace bursts out laughing, making me narrow my eyes at her.

'I'm joking! They're still going out. God, your disappointment at potentially not getting sex is hilarious.'

I pout at her. 'That wasn't very nice.'

She finally stops laughing, but still grins at me. 'Sorry, Axe, couldn't resist.'

'I'm sorry, but you know how much I crave you since I marked you,' I tell her huskily, kissing her neck.

She squirms away from me. I clamp my hands down on her waist, keeping her butt over my crotch. I really don't need her flashing my hard—on to the whole of the sixth form.

'I know,' she says softly. 'I do, too, don't worry.'

I lean forwards and kiss her. She kisses me back, although she keeps it purely PG.

Xaden suddenly comes in, joining us. He drops his bag to the floor with a thud and slouches into one of the chairs. There's a scowl on his face and he crosses his arms over his chest.

Rory puts down her phone and leans forwards.

'Xaden What's up'

He scoffs. 'I come in five minutes later than normal, and some bitch has parked her girly Fiat 500 in my spot!'

My lips twitch with amusement. He's this bent out of shape over his parking spot for all reasons.

'You sure you're just not grumpy because you're not getting any' Rory teases and Xaden bares his teeth at her.

'Don't try me today, Aurora. It has been 8 weeks since I was last balls—deep in some girl. I'm in desperate need of a good fuck, but I can satisfy myself with killing you instead.'

Rory bursts out laughing.

'Your threat doesn't scare me, blue balls,' she snaps back. 'I'm just surprised you've kept it in your pants for two months.'

I nod along in agreement. I really didn't think he would last that long.

Xaden scowls again. 'It's been fucking torture. My mate better appreciates this.'

His expression turns thoughtful, and he looks at me. 'Nudes don't count, right'

'What' I respond confusedly.

'With this whole no—sex, respect—my—mate bollocks, nudes don't count, do they'

Grace sighs heavily and Rory glares at him.

'Yes, they do!' Rory answers for me. 'Of course they do. Ew, who have you been sending dick pics to'

Xaden shrugs. 'I haven't sent any, I've just received some, that's all. That's not my fault, either. I didn't ask for them! Besides, it would be rude not to look if a girl's gone to the effort of taking and sending it.'

We all look at him with disbelief. He is unbelievable.

'Dude,' Luke cuts in. 'How would you feel if your mate was getting dick pics of other guys right now'

Xaden considers it for a moment and his face goes from irritated to furious. His expression is thunderous.

He growls under his breath and then curses. 'Fuck. Point taken. No nudes.'

'Hey, have you guys heard that we have a new student arriving Her parents have just moved from the West Hills, West Mountain, I don't know, West—something pack,' Finlay says.

This causes intrigue in our group. It's rare that shifters move packs. They're usually like your family, where your roots and loyalties lie. For you to move, there must be a good reason.

Sometimes, it's to do with job opportunities, but most of the time, it's because there's a problem with the Alpha or another shifter in the pack. I'll admit, I'm curious.

As if on cue, the double doors open and a girl that none of us recognize strolls in.

The confidence rolls off her in waves, but it isn't arrogance. She is sure of herself but doesn't look like a bitch.

Her skin is the color of dark chocolate, her eyes even darker. They assess the crowd, her face expressionless. Everyone is looking at her and she doesn't appear the least bit bothered.

Her hair is in box braids down to her waist and she's wearing a very tight dress that shows off her curves. I look away and back at Grace, before my mate gets the wrong idea.

I tighten my arm around Grace's waist and squeeze it, silently reassuring her. She leans into my touch and kisses my temple.

Before the girl can do anything else, the bells ring. Everyone disperses, heading to their first classes.

Thankfully, I've calmed down and don't embarrass myself when Grace gets off my lap.

Finlay walks with us to our lesson.

'Apparently, her name is Noelle.'

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Part Three