The Girl He Marked by Laila Callaway novel Chapter 3

Axel's POV.

I can barely contain my excitement. I grip the desk so hard that I leave a dent when I finally let go.

I can't believe I've met my mate, and she's sitting right fucking next to me!

'Morning, class,' Miss Mooney finally greets us. 'We have a few new students today. Please give a warm welcome to Grace Barlow and Ryan Horton.'

Grace.

I smile as I hear her name. I turn to her and she's blushing under everyone's gazes. I want to tell them all to look away.

'Grace, huh' I get her attention. She looks at me and smiles shyly. 'I'm Axel.'

'Nice to meet you, Axel,' she whispers.

Her blue eyes focus back on the teacher, and I realize the goody—two—shoes are worried about being caught talking whilst the teacher is.

Cute.

I lean back in my chair and rest my arm over the back of hers. She looks at me out of the corner of her eye and then quickly focuses on the board again. She's blushing once more, and I like it.

I barely listen to the whole lesson. It doesn't matter, I already know what the teacher is talking about. Like I said, math is easy.

I spend the lesson watching Grace and trying to be subtle about it. I tell myself to look away, that I don't want to creep her out, but her blush is addictive. The way she bites down on her bottom lip as she concentrates, man, it sends me crazy.

She's fucking perfect.

I text Xaden under the table, telling him I've met my mate.

His reply makes me sigh.

Sucks to be you bro!!!

No, it really doesn't.

As the bell rings, signaling the end of the lesson, I turn to Grace.

'Do you want to join me and my friends for lunch' I ask her.

She blinks up at me, surprised by my question. She hesitates and I carry on.

'You're new here, right I thought you might like to have someone to sit with at lunch. Do you know anyone yet'

Her cheeks turn light pink, and she bites her bottom lip.

'No, I um, I don't know anyone yet. That would be nice, thank you.'

I resist the urge to put my arm around her shoulders. I clench my hands into fists to stop myself from touching her.

'Come on, cafeteria's this way.'

I lead her down the busy corridors. She sticks close to my side, her arm brushing against mine now and then. It makes my wolf very happy, having her so close.

When we get to the cafeteria, Rory and Xaden are already at our usual table, with the rest of our friends.

I queue with Grace to get our lunch. On Fridays, sixth formers are allowed to go out for lunch.

I watch as Grace pays for her food, holding myself back from paying for her. She's not my girlfriend, she'd find it weird.

She blushes when she sees I'm waiting for her and then she follows me over to the table. Her paces slows and she hesitates, seeing how many people are at the table. She clutches her drink and sandwich to her chest.

'Um, are you sure you want me to join Your table is already pretty full,' she comments.

I frown. 'Of course, I do. Come on, you can sit next to me.'

It doesn't help that all of my friends stare when I usher Grace into the chair next to me. She's obviously a human and every one of us is a shifter.

They're probably wondering why on Earth I've invited her to sit with us.

'Guys, this is Grace,' I introduce her. 'She's new here, be nice.'

A couple of them say hi, but they all look at her with interest. I shoot them a pointed look, making them turn away.

'Hey, Grace.' Aurora leans around me. 'I'm Rory and this idiot here, is Xaden.'

Xaden winks at her. 'Hey, gorgeous.'

I bite my tongue to stop myself from growling. As Grace looks down and blushes, and I glare at Xaden and bare my teeth at him in warning. He just smirks.

He knows she's my mate, he's trying to wind me up.

It's working.

I take a deep breath, breathing in Grace's scent to calm me down.

'Ignore Xaden,' I tell her quietly. 'He's a player.'

She nods. 'Noted.'

'So, Grace, what subjects are you taking' Rory asks her.

I grin at Rory, pleased that she's making the effort and also because she's asked a question that I want to know the answer to.

'I'm taking math, business studies and physics,' she replies shyly.

I look down at my mate with pride. She's my little nerd.

'You must be very clever then,' Rory comments. 'I can't do any of those subjects.'

Grace's brows furrow.

'Not really. I find math hard sometimes.' She looks at me. 'Like, what we did today, that was difficult.'

I smile at her. 'I'm happy to help you study, if you want,' I offer eagerly.