The Girl He Marked by Laila Callaway novel Chapter 3

Xaden's POV.

'You wrapped the present, right' I ask Noelle as we step out of the car.

She gives me a duh look and pulls out a gift bag from the boot.

'Obviously. I was never going to let you wrap it, would probably look like a child did it,' she teases, and I playfully nudge her in the ribs.

'Don't be mean to your mate,' I scold her, and she snorts.

'Yeah, yeah, whatever,' she mumbles.

She looks beautiful. She's wearing a pale pink dress that contrasts perfectly with her ebony skin. Her braids are tied up in a bun and she's chosen eye shadow that matches her dress.

'You look beautiful,' I tell her as I take her hand.

Her face softens and she gives me one of my favorite smiles.

'You're a softie, Xaden Moretti,' she comments dryly.

'And you love it, Noelle Wilson.'

My mark is clear to see on her neck. She's showing it off proudly and I'm beaming with pride next to her.

The door opens before we can knock on it. Axel's mum and my auntie usher me inside.

'Come on through, everyone's in the garden!' Auntie Callie exclaims excitedly.

True to her word, everyone is in the garden. My entire family is here for Axel's eighteenth birthday.

The birthday boy himself is stood with his dad, Nate and his mate, Grace. Rory, Finlay, Luke and Nick are with them.

My parents, Lexi and Rixon, are working the barbecue. My auntie and uncle, Myra and Jayce, are sat down with their daughter Naevia and her mate.

We put Axel's present on the table overflowing with gifts and go over to say hi.

Grace is grinning from ear to ear, her arm around Axel's waist. Rory is texting and looks up when we come over.

'Where's your mate' I ask her.

We're all keen to finally meet Rory's mate. He goes to a different school, so we've never met him before.

'Working,' Rory says and pulls a face. 'Don't worry, they're coming later.'

It's really great, having the whole family together for the afternoon. We eat too much food, and then too much cake. I guess all the food will provide a good lining for our stomachs tonight when we drink too much.

Afternoon turns into evening, and we all leave to return to our homes and get ready. Rory, Grace and Noelle insist on getting ready together at Grace's house.

The guys and I don't get ready together. We're not bothered about each other's outfits, unlike the girls.

I go round to Axel's and find the boys already there. We crack open some beers and watch TV in his living room, waiting for everyone to arrive.

The girls arrive first and I'm grateful that I'm sitting down. Although I've already seen what Noelle is wearing, I'm not ready to see her again.

She looks incredible. I want to throw her over my shoulder, take her upstairs and strip that dress off of her.

I stand up and eye her appreciatively, hungrily taking in every inch of her curves. Noelle blushes and Grace scoffs.

'Stop eye—fucking her and say hi,' Grace chastises me and then greets the birthday boy.

I take her advice and walk up to my gorgeous mate.

'You look…I can't even describe how good you look,' I tell her, a little bashful.

Noelle giggles and pulls me in for a kiss. She leans up on her tiptoes and presses her lips to my ear.

'If you're lucky, you can take it off of me later,' she whispers.

I grab her waist and squeeze tightly. 'I'm feeling very lucky today,' I murmur back.

She chuckles and pulls back, a mischievous glint in her eyes. 'We'll see.'

People start arriving fast and the party begins. It's too cold to go outside, so everyone is rammed into the house. Most of the bedrooms upstairs have been locked. Axel wants people to have a good time, but he doesn't want his parents' house turning into a brothel.

I'm stood with the group in the kitchen, chatting, when Rory shyly announces that her mate has arrived. She goes to get him and then comes back in, hand—in—hand with a…she.

I try to keep the surprise off of my face. Rory is holding hands with a pretty blonde who has her hair up those space—bun things.