The Girl He Marked

Chapter 1

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!'

We both scream with excitement and give Rory our congratulations.

Rory and Lydia have been going through the process of adoption for the last two years. It's been a long

journey for them, but they finally found Orelia. She's a one—year—old with an adorable personality and

a warm heart.

Once we've finally stopped gushing over Rory's good news, Noelle tells her all about the lake house.

I can't wait for Axel to get home so that I can tell him all this amazing news!

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'Hey, Strawberries! I'm home!'

My mate's voice makes me grin as I hear it.

After all this time, he still calls me Strawberries.

I swing my legs off of the bed and come downstairs. Axel is in the hallway, taking off his coat.

'Hey, beautiful.' He smiles. 'You look sexy.'

I laugh at his comment and look down at my jumper and sweatpants. Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.

'Sure, I do,' I reply and give him a quick kiss. 'How was your day, handsome'

He wraps his arms around my waist and pulls me back against his chest.

'That wasn't a proper kiss,' he complains. 'I want a longer one.'

I chuckle but lean up on my tiptoes to kiss him again. This time, my lips move over his and my body

sinks against his muscular one. He holds me close, rubbing his hands up and down my back.

'Mm,' he responds when I pull back. 'Much better.'

'I'm pregnant.'

The words tumble from my mouth before I can stop them. I couldn't think of a good way to tell him, so

why not just blurt it out

Axel's eyes go as wide as saucers.

'What Really' He asks happily and a grin breaks out on his face.

'Yep. I've taken four tests to be certain.'

He lets out a laugh of joy and hugs me to his chest again.

'Strawberries…this is amazing. Thank you.'

He bends down and captures my lips again. I kiss him back, pouring my love and happiness into our

kiss.

He pulls back and looks down at me, his eyes filled with desire.

'Is it bad timing if I tell you that I want you right now' He murmurs huskily.

I shake my head. 'I think celebratory sex is the way to go.'

Axel wastes no more time. He gently picks me up, bridal style, and carries me upstairs.

Once in our bedroom, he places me on the bed and starts removing his clothes. I follow suit, pulling my

jumper over my head.

He undoes his jeans and shucks them off, taking his boxers with them. He helps me with my

underwear and just like that, we're both naked.

He climbs on top of me and starts kissing along my body. I lay back and let him take his time,

worshipping me like the incredible mate that he is. He kisses his way down to between my legs.

He spreads my thighs and blows gently on my core. I shudder in response and grip the bedsheets in

my hands. Slowly, teasingly, he licks up and down my folds.

My body quakes with the desperate need for more.

'Please, Axel,' I moan, begging for more.

He chuckles but pushes two fingers inside of me. He makes figures of eights around my clit whilst

scissoring the two fingers inside me. I gasp and arch my back, succumbing to the pleasure.

It doesn't take me long to orgasm. It hits me hard, shaking my body.

As I come down from my high, Axel climbs over me and lines himself up with my entrance. I bring my

knees up to my chest and open my legs wider, giving him more room.

He slowly pushes inside me, and my hands go to his shoulders, my fingers biting into his skin, just the

way he likes it.

'Axe,' I moan as he slides fully inside.

He drops his head and kisses me.

'I love you,' he murmurs and then, he starts to move.

'I love you too,' I gasp as he increases his pace, thrusting in and out of me with a force that has another

climax building.

We grip hold of each other, mumbling affectionate words as we chase our orgasms. We come together,

crying each other's names and falling apart.

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