The Girl He Marked by Laila Callaway novel Chapter 3

Noelle's POV.

I grip the shoulder strap of my handbag tightly as I stand at the school gates.

Mum has driven off and I'm on my own. I'm surprised she even managed to have to drop me off at school. Both of my parents have full—time jobs and I only see them early in the morning and late at night.

There's a mixture of shifters and humans walking into the buildings. We got permission from the Alpha for us to move to their pack, but my parents asked him to hold off on introducing us to the other members until I've settled in a bit.

I'm grateful for it. As confident as I normally am, I've been taken out of my comfort zone and it's going to take me a while to get comfortable again.

I straighten my spine and steel myself.

I can do this.

I rap some Cardi B in my head and march into school with the rest of the students. I find the reception using the signs and collect my timetable.

It looks bearable. Thank Goddess I've got photography every day, it's my lifeline.

I go up to the sixth form common room and my stomach twists the second I enter. Everyone's eyes are on me, they don't even try and be subtle about it.

They all stare, and I feel like running out of the room and hiding. But I refuse to. I meet their stares with a hard look of my own.

Fuck them, I don't care what they think.

The bell rings, saving me. I let out a sigh of relief and try to find my way to my form room.

In registration, I'm forced to stand up and introduce myself. It's horrible, but if I can get through that, then I can get through the rest of the day.

I have a free period first thing and I've been assigned some human to show me around. She doesn't seem pleased that she's been given the task, but she isn't rude.

I forget her name as soon as she tells me it and I nod absentmindedly as she shows me around the buildings.

All I care about is where the art department is. I'm taking photography, art and graphics.

We get outside and she points out the different areas. It's November now and it's getting colder. I pull my scarf up to my chin.

My eyes are drawn to the school field, where some students are playing rugby. They're definitely sixth formers and I recognize some from my form room, so they're my year.

The girl and I stop for a few minutes and watch them. She doesn't complain, no doubt wanting to ogle guys in shorts tackling each other. It's sexy and muddy and I like it.

One of the players in particular catches my eye.

His powerful thighs are on display in the shorts he's wearing, despite the fact it's November and flipping cold. His biceps are impressive, shown off by his tight P.E t—shirt.

He's strong but fast, he dodges tackles easily and barges other players out of the way. He's impressive to say the least.

It's just a shame I can't see his face properly. He's wearing one of those rugby caps that protect your ears. Not sexy in the slightest, but somehow, he's making it work.

'Who's that' I ask her, pointing to the guy.

The human girl looks in the direction I'm pointing and grimaces.

'Ugh, that is Xaden Moretti,' she says with disdain.

My eyebrows shoot up in surprise at her reaction.

Perhaps he's an ex

'I'm guessing you don't like him much,' I comment dryly.

She scowls and crosses her arms over her chest defensively.

'He's the school's player, which, I know, sounds totally cliché, but he actually is. Think of every stereotype of a man—whore and he will tick every fucking box,' she snaps bitterly. 'Pro athlete Check. Seen with a different girl every week Check. Gets with multiple girls at a party Check. Flirts with the teachers to get out of detentions'

She mimes ticking a box with her finger, making me snort with laughter.

'Wow, you really don't like him,' I reply. 'I take it you've been one of the girls'

The human girl groans and waves me off.

'Don't remind me. Huge mistake two years ago at a party.' She sighs heavily. 'He only sleeps with each girl once, hence why he's had to move on to girls at other schools, he's fucked his way through our one.'

'Charming,' I respond sarcastically. 'I'll be sure to keep my distance.'

'Unless you want to be treated like a sexual object and get an STI for Christmas, yeah, you should stay away.'

Lovely.

We decide to move on. I look over at the player one last time, surprised to find his eyes on me.

He's probably looking at me as fresh meat. Not a chance in hell, sweet—cheeks.

The human girl finishes her tour and takes me back to the common room in time for the second period.

I'm happy now, I've got photography.

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There weren't many people in my photography class, I honestly thought there would be more. I tried to make conversation, but a lot of them were absorbed in their work.

So much for making friends.

It's break time and I make my way outside. It's chilly, but the sun is shining. It's lower in the sky so seems brighter, blinding you the way that winter sun does sometimes.

I find an area of a low wall with no one sitting on it, around the back of the buildings. I perch myself on it and get out my phone to check my messages.

There's only one; from my friend back at my old pack. She wishes me luck on my first day, I quickly type out a reply and send it.

'Hey! New girl!'

Ugh. That's me, isn't it

I look up and scan the surroundings, trying to see who is calling on me. I spot a brunette, sat with some other students on benches.

'Come sit with us' She shouts, gesturing me over.

Reluctantly, I grab my handbag and approach them. The brunette actually has pieces of hair dyed purple and she has hair tied up in two space buns.

She pats the space next to her and I sit down. She turns to me with a grin, and I smile awkwardly back.

'So, you're the new girl. I'm Aurora, but everyone calls me Rory.'

'I'm Noelle,' I tell her.

'This is Luke, Nick and Finlay,' Rory says as she points to three guys who are lying on the grass in front of the benches.

They lift their heads and wave at me.

'And the loved—up couple on that bench is Grace and Axel.' I look over at the redhead sitting on the brown—haired guy's lap. 'Grace was human until a week ago.'

I've never met someone who was human and changed before. I eye the redhead with curiosity, and she blushes. Realizing that I'm being rude, I look away.

'I think you're taking photography, aren't you' Rory asks.

'Yeah, I am.'

'I'm taking it, too. I wasn't in the class this morning cause I had this stupid careers meeting, but at least now you'll know someone in that class,' she says chirpily.

I like this girl.

'What else are you taking'

'Art and Graphics,' I tell her.

'Awesome! Me too!' She exclaims happily. 'This is great! None of this lot is artistically inclined, so it'll be good to have someone on my side for once.'

I laugh lightly, unsure what to say. I'm not usually this shy but having all six of them look at me is pretty intense.

'Have you joined our pack Alpha Damien is really nice,' Rory makes conversation and I turn my attention back to her.

'Yes, we have,' I reply. 'He's not introducing us until I've settled in some more.'

'Of course! It can be really intimidating joining a new school, let alone a new pack. Good thing you've got us now,' she reassures me.

I'm so relieved at how nice she is being. Finally, I'm making friends.

'Join us for lunch as well' Grace suggests. 'Then we can get to know you better.'

'I'd love that,' I reply shyly.

'Where's Xaden' Axel asks.

Xaden, the player man—whore.

'I think he's coming, he had to get his drink or something,' Luke, I think, says.

'I'm here!' A male voice calls out and goose—bumps instantly form on my arms.

I look over to see Xaden jogging over to us. He's showered and changed since the rugby match.

Now that he's not wearing the rugby cap, I can see his face clearly. He has black hair, tanned skin and the most handsome face I have ever seen.

My breath catches in my throat and my palms turn sweaty.

No.

This cannot be happening.

How is the school man—slut my mate

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