The Girl He Marked by Laila Callaway novel Chapter 3

Axel's POV.

FUCK!

How does she know about shifters

Ms. Barlow rounds on me, making me back up against the wall.

'You dare come near my daughter, you filthy wolf! I want you to leave now and never talk to her again. You have a mate out there, how dare you play with my daughter's heart like that!' She spits venomously, keeping her voice quiet enough that Grace doesn't come and investigate.

My eyes are as wide as saucers.

How does she know so much

'How do you know what I am' I blurt out, completely shocked.

'I dated one of your kind before,' she sneers. 'Worst mistake of my life.'

'It's not like that! You don't understand, Grace—'

'Mum What's going on' Grace asks from the doorway, her expression worried.

'I'm afraid Axel has to leave,' her mother replies tightly. 'He won't be staying for dinner.'

She straightens up and crosses her arms, giving me a pointed look that is silently telling me not to argue.

'What What are you talking about' Grace questions, her eyebrows screwed up. 'Axe What's going on'

I take a deep breath and look at her mum.

'Nothing, there's just been a slight misunderstanding between your mother and I,' I explain quickly.

Ms. Barlow narrows her eyes at me.

'The only misunderstanding is that you think I'd ever let your kind be with daughter,' she retorts.

'Mum!' Grace shouts. 'What the hell has gotten into you What do you mean Axel's kind'

Grace's mum gives her a sharp look. 'He's just like your father, he's not good for you, Grace.'

By now, tears are pooling in my mate's eyes, and I want more than anything to fix it. I'm angry at her mother for upsetting her.

'You're making her upset,' I warn her mother quietly. 'Can we talk about this privately'

'Grace, go back and check on your siblings, Axel and I need to clear something up before he leaves,' her mother orders.

'No! I'm not leaving you, this is ridiculous, I don't—'

'Grace Angela Barlow, go next door this instant,' her mother shouts.

Grace goes silent before looking at me. I give her a reassuring nod and a forced smile.

She looks back and forth between us before scowling.

'When I come back, I want some damn answers,' she says firmly, before leaving us alone.

I spin around to her mother straight away, filled with anger at her upsetting my mate.

'Before you spew any more hate about my kind, you should know that your daughter is my mate,' I tell her quickly. 'I would never hurt her. I will do everything I can to protect her and make her happy.'

Grace's mother falls silent. Her mouth opens and closes a few times, but nothing comes out.

She reaches out to the counter for support and slowly sinks into one of the chairs. She stares at me in shock.

'She's your mate' She whispers incredulously.

I nod. 'Yes. She's my mate.'

Her mother shakes her head in disbelief. Then, she groans and closes her eyes briefly, as though in pain.

'I'm sorry, I didn't know,' she says sadly. 'Grace's father was a werewolf. He left me when Grace was four years old, because he found his mate. He left and never looked back.'

I lick my suddenly dry lips. 'I'm sorry.'

She snorts. 'So am I. I was worried that would happen to Grace, that you would leave her heartbroken.'

I approach her slowly, crouching down to her height so that she can see the sincerity in my eyes.

'I would never, ever hurt your daughter. I promise you that.'

Grace's mother has tears in her eyes as she looks up at me.

'I'm sorry that I was so awful to you. God, Grace is going to be so mad at me.'

I shrug. 'It's okay, I'll speak to her. Got any ideas about what our excuse will be I take it your daughter doesn't know that she is only half—human.'

She shakes her head adamantly.