The Girl He Marked by Laila Callaway novel Chapter 4

Grace's POV.

I look down at the plastic stick in my hands. A tiny little plastic stick, with two bars that mean a change in my life forever.

Pregnant.

I read the word in the box over and over again, not quite believing it.

When Axel and I agreed to have my implant removed a few months ago, I didn't expect to get pregnant so quickly. The nurse told me it could be anything from 6 months to 18 months.

It's been three.

I'm so nervous and excited at the same time, and I can't wait to tell him!

A knock on the front door almost makes me drop the stick into the sink. I place it on the side and wash my hands quickly.

I rush down the stairs and open the door to find Noelle grinning on my doorstep.

'Hey! How are you' I greet her and pull her in for a hug.

She squeezes me back. 'I'm feeling okay, thank you. How are you'

'I'm good, come on in,' I usher her into the house.

After school, Axel and I went to university. Now, four years later, we have our own home.

We're still on Alpha Damien's territory. Shifters rarely move, we like to stay near our pack and our family.

Axel and I are twenty—three now, we wanted to start a family early. He's at work at the moment, Tuesdays are my day off.

I lead Noelle into the kitchen and pull out a chair for her. She rolls her eyes but sits in it anyway.

'Do you want a drink'

'Green tea, please.'

I make us the drinks and then sit down at the table, opposite Noelle.

'So, how's the morning sickness treating you'

She scrunches up her nose at my question. 'It's turned into evening sickness, but it's made going to work in the morning a lot easier.'

Noelle found out she was pregnant two weeks ago. You're supposed to wait until your second trimester to tell people, but it's only close family that she has told. She kind of had to tell us, she kept throwing up all of the time, we were getting worried.

'I'm here because Xaden and I have just booked a lake house for a long weekend the week after next. Do you think you and Axel could come'

My face lights up at the sound of a weekend away.

'Definitely!' I reply eagerly. 'I'll check with Axe, but he should be able to.'

Noelle grins. 'Great. I'll tell Rory and see if she and Lydia can come. It has three bedrooms. I thought it would be a nice treat for the six of us.'

'That's such a lovely idea.'

Noelle gets out her phone and shows me pictures of the house online. It's on Alpha Elijah's territory. His mate, Alena, is a family friend.

It looks great, the perfect getaway.

When she's done showing me, Noelle slips her phone back into her handbag. She studies my face, and her expression turns curious.

'What's up with you' She asks bluntly. 'There's something different…you're not telling me something.'

That's the problem with best friends, they know you too well.

'I wanted Axel to be the first to know, but I'm dying not telling you,' I blurt and Noelle gasps.

'No way! You're not pregnant, too'

I nod. 'Yep!'

'Oh, my Goddess!' She squeals. 'This is so exciting! Our babies will be besties.'

I laugh and my eyes fill with happy tears as she hugs me around the table.

'Congratulations, mama!' She says and kisses my cheeks. 'Welcome to the nauseous club.'

Noelle stays for another cup of tea. I give us both decaf, it's better for the babies.

Rory calls my phone whilst Noelle and I are sitting at the table. I answer it and put it on speaker.

'Hey, Ror!' I greet her. 'Noelle's here.'

'Hey!' Noelle chips in.

'Oh, perfect! I'm so glad you're both here,' she cries excitedly. 'We got approved! We are officially allowed to take Orelia home in three weeks' time!'