The Girl He Marked by Laila Callaway novel Chapter 4

India's POV.

Staying overnight at Sebastian's house turns from one night…to two…to three. On the fourth day, I realize that I don't want to go home. I'm happy here, with him and Jake.

On Monday, Sebastian gets Jake to sit down with us and he asks how he would feel if I moved in permanently.

He just shrugs and says that he assumed that I already would be moving in. Filled with relief, I hug him, surprising both of us.

He awkwardly pats my back and then asks if he can go to his room now. He leaves the room and Sebastian grins at me.

'You're moving in,' he states happily.

Later on in the day, he drives me back to my flat and helps me load my things to take back to his.

Fortunately, I had barely started unpacking from moving into this flat a couple of weeks ago. I've been so swamped with schoolwork that I haven't had time to unpack and make the place my own.

Considering what a shithole my apartment is, Sebastian's mansion is a complete upgrade.

He gives me my own bedroom to start with, claiming that he respects me and understands that I might want my space.

I want to argue with him and say that I will share his room, but, once I get to see the beautiful guest room, I decide to let him have his way. It's gorgeous.

It's probably best that I have my own room for a while at first, whilst Jake adjusts to his teacher living in the same house as him.

It's perfectly normal for shifters to move in with their mates straight away, so that's not a worry for us. In fact, it is healthier for us if we spend a lot of time together before we've completed the mating process.

I talk with Jake and Sebastian later in the week and we decide that, as long as Jake's happy, he can stay in my lessons. If he feels uncomfortable at all, he can be moved so that I don't teach him.

⋆⋆⋆⋆⋆⋆✥⋆⋆⋆⋆⋆⋆

It's a Thursday night and Sebastian and I are lying on the sofa together. Jake randomly decided he would stay at a friend's house tonight and he had a knowing look on his face when he left.

Something tells me it was his way of trying to give us some alone time, I appreciate that. It's pretty considerate of a thirteen—year—old boy.

'I'm so pleased that you and Jake get on,' Sebastian states.

My head is laid on his chest, I lift it up so that I can look at him.

'So am I, especially after our rocky start this year.'

Sebastian sighs and leans back against the sofa.

'After the disaster that was his mother at parenting, I really hoped that. when I met my mate, she would get on with my son. To find out that you're his teacher and you care about him so much already, it's a wonderful relief for me, you don't understand.'

I smile at his words, but there is something I want to ask.

'How old were you when you had Jake'

He smiles sadly. 'You're probably wondering why I didn't wait to find you,' he says, and I shrug.

He sits up so that we can talk properly. I mirror his movements and we face each other on the sofa.

'Hunters were a real problem when I took over the pack,' Sebastian starts and runs his hand through his inky—black locks. 'They were attacking all of the time; they were out of control. I inherited the pack at eighteen, after my parents were both severely injured when returning from a visit to another pack. They needed to recover, not lead.

'I realized pretty quickly that something needed to be done, but I knew I was going to risk my life fighting these hunters, I needed an heir and fast. A rogue entered our territory, she was feisty and beautiful, but she was obsessed with running free.'

He shakes his head in disbelief.

'I couldn't believe how obsessed she was with going wherever she wanted, no commitments. She told me she had rejected her mate; she didn't want any ties or responsibilities. She had attacked my patrol when she crossed the border, and I had her imprisoned.

'She tried to bargain her freedom. Somehow, she knew what I needed, so she offered it to me. I'm not proud of the deal I made, but I was desperate for an heir, and I was eighteen. After she got pregnant, she wouldn't talk to me much.'