The Girl He Marked by Laila Callaway novel Chapter 1

Book 1 Chapter 37

‘No, but you can get to know each other, start over, Kate suggests and I sigh in defeat.

I’m exhausted, I’m not going to win this.

Anything other than being a prisoner,’ I mumble under my breath and Eli looks at me, guilt evident on his beautiful face.

I’m sorry, I would give you space but I’m not sure I can take it, I was barely surviving without you, I’ll try and give you as much time and space as I can, he says quietly.

I don’t reply, he has leaned closer to me, and his cologne is effectively mashing my brain. Before I can argue any further, Eli’s mother cuts in.

“Well that sorts it then, you can both stay with Aria, she concludes, seemingly very happy with the solu tion.

‘So we can go now?’ Nate asks, turning to the girls for approval.

‘I guess, we came to get Alena back, and we’ve done that, so yeah, let’s go, Myra stands up and every one at the table follows her lead.

‘Thank you for your hospitality Mr. and Mrs. Hunt, Myra says to Kate, and I try to hold back my snort of laughter at the irony of my kidnapper’s family being thanked for their hospitality.

‘This is my address, we’ll go back now, and you can pack your things and come over to mine first thing tomorrow, but let her have today on her own, Aria writes down her address and hands it to Eli.

Although I’m annoyed that she’s been on his side and offered a solution, it also shows that she’s a good friend who cares about me, she wants me to be happy, unfortunately, she thinks my happiness lies with Eli.

A notion I’m still not comfortable with.

It’s not like I don’t believe in happily ever after, but I don’t believe in love at first sight, so this whole soul mate thing is a new concept that’s difficult to grasp.

I don’t even look at Eli as we leave the house and get into the car. I feel relieved the second Nate starts the engine and we drive off the estate that has been my prison for just one day but feels like one week.

‘I was so worried about you, when I woke up and you’d gone, I didn’t know what to do, Aria tells me as she grabs my hand and squeezes it.

“He gagged me, I was trying to shout to you when he was taking me, I was so scared, I reply, thinking about how my view of Eli has changed from fear to simple wariness.

Jesus, you must have been terrified, he’s not very good at first impressions is he?’ Myra jokes and I can only smile half-heartedly, I’m too tired for all this.

‘Nate’s going to drop us off at mine and then you can go home and relax, come back to mine tomorrow morning with your things, Aria tells me and I only nod in reply.

Once we arrive at Aria’s house, I get my camping things and quickly get back into my car. I arrive at my own house half an hour later and nearly cry with joy when I see my parents having lunch in the kitchen.

“Hey sweetie, how was camping?’ My mum calls as I kick off my shoes and sit down at the table.

‘Really good thanks,’ I force a smile and grab a plate, eager to get some food in me.

BOOK 1 Chapter 37

“Oh good, did you stay up late? You look tired, she comments and this time the smile is natural,

‘Jeez, thanks mum, yeah we did stay up quite late,’ I reply and begin devouring the food in front of me.

I wrap myself in my fluffy towel and collapse on my bed, wondering what the hell I’m going to do with myself for the rest of the day. My mum comes in a few minutes later with a cup of tea, I quickly tuck myself under my duvet, so she won’t see how cut-up my feet are. I turn on my TV and get comfortable in bed, im mediately feeling better by being back in my own room, in my own bed.

‘I think that went well, I say to Nate as he drives us back to our house, he snorts and rolls his eyes at me.

I look over at him cautiously, Eli is only two years older than Nate, is that what my brother will be like in two years if he doesn’t find his mate? Nate looks over at me and scowls.