The Girl He Marked by Laila Callaway novel Chapter 4

India's POV.

After I have spoken with Jake and Sebastian, I go back to my hospital bed. My mate joins me and sits beside me.

Sebastian announces that the school will be closed for a week, whilst stricter security precautions are put in place. I know he's sore about his son and mate being kidnapped on school property.

I'm happy because it gives me a week off.

I explain to him in great detail what happened, from the moment we were taken to the moment he found us.

He grips my hand tightly through it, squeezing hard when something upsets him.

He tells me that he killed their leader. Whilst I'm not a fan of physical violence…I do feel a little relieved that he is gone. I've never been in the position where I've had to kill someone before, and I'd like to keep it that way.

Sebastian has my things sent over from the school, which means I can get my phone from my handbag.

I call my mum, Grace, and tell her everything. She cries on the phone to me, reacting dramatically. She never wanted me to leave the pack to begin with, so this is just ammunition for her to insist that I return.

I'm given a fifteen—minute lecture on why it wasn't a good idea to leave my home territory and move to a new pack. How, if I'd been at home, this never would have happened.

She tells me that I should come home and live near her, my dad and my brother, Rian. As she's building into a crescendo with a conclusion of how my life has been ruined by leaving, I tell her about Sebastian.

Her tone changes almost entirely. She asks every question possible about my mate and his son. I can't tell her much about the situation with Jake's mother, because I only know what little he has told me.

I know that we have to have a longer conversation about it at some point, but I literally just found out we were mates. We both need some time before we broach that subject.

After asking for every specific detail about Sebastian, my mum moves on to grilling me about when I'm going to bring him and his son home so that they can meet them.

Her excitement and enthusiasm are infectious. I can't wait for them to meet my family, either.

I'm exhausted by the time I get off the phone with my mum. We spent over an hour talking and now, my social meter has run out.

I spend the night in the clinic. The Alpha makes up one of the beds near me and stays with me.

I manage to get him to return home to have dinner with Jake, but then he drops his son with his parents and returns to me.

I try to insist that he go home, but he refuses to leave. I feel bad that I've taken him from his son, but I'm grateful that he stays with me.

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In the morning, I am discharged from the clinic by the doctors. My ribs are fully healed, and the bruises have faded on my skin.

Sebastian takes me back to his house and shows me around. I have breakfast with him and Jake.

Afterward, Jake is allowed to meet up with his friends and the Alpha gives me a tour of his pack. I've only been here once before, for my registration, so it's nice to get a proper tour of the territory.

'This is all yours now, too,' Sebastian tells me, squeezing my hand.

I blush at the notion and then think of something.

'I still get to keep my job, right'

Some Lunas give up their day jobs to become a Luna full—time. I don't think I will be like that. I don't mind assisting Sebastian in his role, but teaching is my passion, and I don't want to give it up.

My mate smiles at me. 'Of course. The school tells me that you've settled in really well.'

'I love it at the academy,' I tell him honestly. 'It's the best job I've ever had.'

'That's good,' he responds. 'But I hear that teaching my son is a bit of a hard task.'

I frown and try to think of the right thing to say.

'Teaching him isn't hard, it's getting him to focus. I know he doesn't rate science very highly. But, honestly, since this whole kidnapping thing, I think we've come a long way since he called me a bitch.'