The Girl He Marked by Laila Callaway novel Chapter 3

Axel's POV.

As is tradition, we all go out for lunch on Friday. It's the one day a week that sixth formers are allowed to leave the site for lunch.

I drive the four of us to our local hangout, the 50's—themed diner with the best greasy burgers you've ever tasted.

Xaden grumbles the whole way, bitching about being demoted to the back seat.

Grace sits in the passenger seat, blushing and looking guilty for taking Xaden's spot.

It's not her fault, I made them switch. I wanted my girl upfront with me, so that I can hold her hand over the console. I refused to let Xaden bully her into swapping.

When we get to the diner, our regular booth is waiting for us. Our waitress, Bessy, keeps it unofficially reserved for us each Friday.

We slide in and order our food. I put my arm around Grace's shoulders, and she leans into my touch.

The contact, for me, is completely natural. I know she must feel the bond, too, because she doesn't fight it. It must be pretty strange for the humans in our year who see us together, they must think we're mad for moving so fast.

Technically, I have only known her for five days. Yet here we are, about to have our second date and cuddling like long—time lovers.

But for shifters, it's normal behavior to act like this. Even after only an hour of meeting your mate, shifters behave as though it has been a lifetime. It's the way we are.

And Grace must be feeling the connection, because she hasn't been fighting it. She doesn't move away from me or ask me to move my arm, she snuggles into my touch instinctively.

I love it.

Our burgers, fries and milkshakes come.

Rory, Xaden and I begin tucking in like we haven't eaten in weeks. Another weird thing for humans, they're always amazed by how much food shifters eat.

Grace is still staring at her plate, her eyes as wide as saucers.

'Axel,' she whispers nervously. 'I can't eat all of that.'

I shrug. 'No problem, Strawberries. Eat what you can and leave the rest to me.'

The three of us devour our food whilst Grace picks at hers more slowly. She eats about half of her burger and finishes her milkshake.

She looks adorable with a little pink mustache on her top lip. I chuckle and wipe the residue from her mouth with my thumb.

'Strawberry mustache,' I tell her and then suck the milkshake from my thumb.

She blushes the same color as the pink drink.

'May I' I ask, gesturing to her half—finished meal.

She laughs lightly and pushes the plate towards me. 'Go ahead.'

I finish the rest of her food whilst Grace watches, pure amazement on her face.

'Where do you put all of that food' She asks incredulously. 'Do you work out every day or something You're so much muscular but you eat so much!'

Her passionate, staggered reaction is amusing to me. It makes me chuckle.

'Xaden, Rory and I work out a lot,' I reply.

That is partially true. What I've left out is that we exercise in a completely different form than we're in now.

'What do you do' Grace asks with interest.

I share a look with the guys. 'Um, run, mostly. There's a lot of forest around here.'

Grace nods, looking intrigued.

'Good for you guys. I hate exercise, personally.'

I lean down and kiss her cheek. 'You are perfect as you are.'

She blushes and self—consciously looks over at Xaden and Rory, but they're having their own conversation.

We pay for our meal and climb back into my car. Xaden complains less about being in the back, happy now that he has been fed. I knew that most of his bitching on the way here was due to hanger, not real anger.

Business studies is after lunch. Grace and I are put into a pair again and we get to work on a new project for the whole lesson.

I can't believe how lucky I am that I share two of my classes with my mate. I get to spend at least two hours a day with her whenever we're at school.

We joke and mess around with Rory and Finlay in our last period. It's a free period at the end of the day on a Friday, they can't honestly expect us to study at all.

When the bell finally rings, I walk Grace to the gate. We say goodbye and I kiss her forehead, leaving her to walk home with flushed cheeks.

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