The Girl He Marked by Laila Callaway novel Chapter 1

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I‘ve always hated the saying ‘be careful what you wish for‘, but it seems rather apt for what is happen ing to me today. 

I‘ve dreamed for years of meeting my mate, being marked and shifting so that I am the same as the rest of my family. 

Finally normal. 

I wanted to prove to everyone at school that I wasn‘t always going to be a weak human. 

But as usual with things like this, when the time comes, your determination falters. 

After my semi nervous breakdown in the clearing, Jayce brought me home and laid me gently on his bed. 

Jayce lies next to me, sleeping soundly with one arm around my waist, a gesture that hasn‘t gone un noticed. I‘m grateful to have him near me, he‘s helped me stay calm so far. 

I slide out of his grip and pad softly across the room to the stairs; I let myself out the back door and step out onto the grass. It tickles my toes and I close my eyes, breathing in the fresh morning air. 

I imagine my parents would have liked to be present for my first shift, and I know Nate will be annoyed that I haven‘t even told him it‘s happening. But I‘d rather be alone, as scary as it sounds, I don‘t know how I‘m going to react and the last thing I want to do is embarrassed myself. I mean I‘ll be naked when I shift back, and I might cry or something. 

| glance over my shoulder at Jayce‘s bedroom and decide that it is better if I do this alone, I‘ll be more comfortable. I quickly grab some shoes and traipse into the forest wearing nothing but one of Jayce‘s large t–shirts. The sun appears as a piercing ray of light on the horizon, and I settle down on the moss–covered ground and wait. 

JOS 

I know as soon as it starts; my body temperature raises. I check that no one else is about and slide the t–shirt off, placing it on the ground next to me. I don‘t want to rip it. 

My heart pounds loudly as my hands begin shaking, at first I think it‘s from the nerves, but then I watch in horror as my fingers begin to shrink, my palm spreading into the shape of a paw. I snap my eyes shut, scared that I‘ll freak myself out. I try to focus on anything else, pretend that nothing is happening, but the sound of bones crunching echoes through the clearing, and I bite down hard on my tongue to keep in the screams of pain. 

I fall down on my hands and knees, eyes still closed, I can picture in my mind what‘s happening, but I don‘t want to see it. Tears roll down my face at the sharp pains that shoot through my limbs as they change, and when it‘s finally over, only seconds later, I lay down on the cool earth and sigh heavily. . 

I cautiously peak an eye open and jump as I look down at my brown fur–covered body. 

This is the weirdest feeling. 

• Twince as I stand up and shake myself off. When I look around, everything comes into focus, and I de cide that a run might be a good idea. I take off through the trees, feeling like I finally fit in with my family, fi nally understand what they‘ve experienced. It‘s exhilarating and I can‘t contain my joy at having my dream since I was a kid fulfilled. 

Trun for a long time, when I finally come to a stop, I realize that the sun has risen high in the sky and Jayce is probably awake. I collect his shirt and head back to his house. As I near it, his wolf charges past me, skidding on his heels when he realizes he‘s passed me. He shifts back and I blush at his naked form. 

“Where the hell have you been? I‘ve been so worried!‘ He shouts and I flinch, taking a step back. He no tices and his face softens. 

‘I wanted to be there Myra, are you okay?‘ He asks and I nod, attempting a smile. 

He comes over and runs his hand through my fur, ‘You look beautiful by the way, he comments. 

‘Turn around and bend over the desk,‘ he orders, I meet his eyes for a moment, seeing that he is deadly serious. He raises an eyebrow, silently questioning me to see if I‘ll do as he commands. I chew nervously on – my bottom lip and turn around, leaning over the desk. He presses one of his large hands down on my lower