The Girl He Marked by Laila Callaway novel Chapter 3

Axel's POV.

Friday night, I go round to Grace's house for dinner. At one point, I end up alone with her mum again. She tells me that, although she has no problem with Grace and I being together, we're not allowed to sleep in the same room until I've marked her.

She really wants to be sure that Grace is my mate. She doesn't want the same thing happening to her daughter, I get that.

I tell her that I want Grace to be in love with me before I mark her. Jeannette reassures me that, when the time comes, she will help me tell Grace and keep her calm.

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Two weeks pass by in a blink.

Preparations for the Halloween dance get underway at school. They've hired out the old Blackwood estate for the event.

The dance will be hosted inside the main ballroom and on the grounds, there will be a scare maze, pumpkin patch and games.

Rory and Grace start planning their outfits the day after I asked Grace to the dance. Xaden and I don't get involved.

Grace casually suggests that we go in couple—costume for the dance. I leave it all up to her, I honestly don't mind what I dress up as.

Eventually, Rory and Grace decide that, as a group, we will dress up as the Riverdale characters.

Xaden and I don't get a say. Poor Finlay and Luke are roped in, too.

We try to make other suggestions, but the girls' minds are made up.

Obviously, my beautiful red—haired mate is going to be Cheryl Blossom. The bossy Rory is going to be Veronica Lodge. I have been nominated as Jug head, Xaden has been chosen to be Archie Andrews and, here's the best bit; Luke will be Betty Cooper and Finlay will be Toni Topaz.

Luke and Finlay don't put up as much a fight as I thought they would. I think they're looking forward to it, it will be a laugh.

I ask Grace to stay over at mine on Friday night. She doesn't realize it, but it will be our one—month anniversary of going out. It has been exactly four weeks since we went to Finlay's party, and we made things official.

We've now known each other for six weeks. I'm going to tell her that I love her, soon. That's long enough, right

On Friday night, Grace comes back to mine with me, after school. She has her overnight bag with her.

Silently, I wonder if she has any of her lingerie in there. Or if she's wearing it under her clothes. Fuck, if she's been wearing it all day at school and I've had no idea…

We've only had one sleepover in the last two weeks. School got busy with assignments and, when Grace stayed over, nothing happened.

My little mate was on her period and was feeling crap. We ate chocolate and watched chick flicks.

I can't believe I'm this whipped, but I don't care.

So, I'll be honest, the teenage boy in me is excited at the prospect of having my mate in my bed tonight. I want to touch her; it's been too long since I last did.

The evening goes by fast. We order pizza with my parents and eat outside on the patio with the fire pit blazing in front of us.

Grace and I stay out when they go in, wrapped in a blanket. We talk some more, but mostly we stay out because I know Grace is enjoying it. She lays against my chest whilst looking up at the stars.

When it gets late, we say goodnight and go up to my bedroom. As usual, I mess about on my phone whilst Grace gets ready for bed. Then, we swap places.

When I come out, my little mate is waiting for me under the covers. The moment I get into bed next to her, she reaches for me, placing her hands on my bare chest.

I pull her into my arms and bury my face in her neck, inhaling her delicious scent of honeysuckle mixed with strawberries. It's an odd mix that works perfectly on her.

My gums throb with the need to release my incisors and mark her. I pull back quickly, resisting the temptation to bite her sweet neck.

'Axe' Grace's soft voice breaks the comfortable silence.

'Yes, Strawberries' I reply.

I kiss along her cheeks and jaw. Everywhere but her neck.

'I've wanting to tell you something for a while now,' she mumbles.

I lean back and our eyes meet. I can see how nervous she is.

'Me too,' I confess.

Her eyebrows raise in surprise as her eyes widen. 'Really What's your thing'

I smirk at her. 'Nope. You first, Strawberries.'

She blushes and breaks eye contact, looking anywhere but at me. I gently grab her chin and make her look at me.

'Tell me,' I urge her gently.

She swallows visibly and licks her lips. My eyes follow her tongue's movement.