When they touch me (Shelagh Milano)

Artemisia

I can't remember a moment in my life when I felt more uncomfortable.

Well, except for that rejection part.

Forget that. But it is flipping awkward.

As I climb the stairs to my room with my new companion, he takes his time to look at everything. And even if his stoic face keeps frowning annoyed, I can still get that he is genuinely interested in how his mate is living. Stupid Mate bond.

"This is my room," I say, feeling a bit nervous as I open the door to my bedroom for him to enter.

Choosing not to close it all the way, I get his disappointment washing over me. And not only because he glares at me.

"I just don't want my parents to worry. Don't look at me like that."

He scoffs, turning around my room nonchalantly.

I start to pack my most essential things while he looks around, examining my decoration and my framed pictures.

"Will someone come and take the rest for me, if I just pack the essentials now?"

He grunts, not tearing away his gaze from a picture of me and my brother at his mating ceremony. "Yeah. I will send a few warriors over as soon as your things are packed."

This is my chance!

"Maybe I could stay the night and pack everything. This way, you or your warriors could come to pick me and my things up in one go."

He looks at me over his shoulder annoyed as he simply states, "No!"

Groaning, I walk into my walk-in closet to gather my last belongings that I plan to take with me. He leans against the door frame and crosses his arms. "You really don't want to leave this place, do you?" "Wow, what a smart man you are!" I say mockingly while rummaging through my drawers.

"Is it because of your dream guy?"

"Dream guy? What dream guy?"

I look up at him befuddled, and he shrugs at me. "Don't know. You tell me."

I groan, getting up and bumping into him to get him out of his way. He lifts his hands and turns out of the way as if I had any impact on him, while I'm pretty sure that if he wanted to, I would have catapulted back into the wall of my closet. Bonus point for the gentleman.

"You are such an idiot. How would you feel if you had to leave your home in about 5 minutes, just because some caveman wants you to take you to his cave?"

He chuckles and stands behind me, watching me pack. "It's been more than 5 minutes, princess. Because you keep wasting my time."

Again, with this attitude with the pet name.

I'm just about to turn around to stand my ground as he wraps his arms around my waist and pulls me to his toned frame. A gasp falls off my lips involuntarily as he presses his lips to my neck, igniting sparks.

As if this wasn't already enough, his husky whisper invades my system, making me feel stupidly dizzy. "And after I have shown you all the ways I can bring your body to shake in pleasure, you'll be happy in a cave too."

I stare at him for the seconds my brain needs to pick up his service again and push him away, acting indignantly. "Get your dirty hands off me."

He growls but lets me go anyway. "Are you done?"

"Yes." I sigh and even before I can take my duffle bags, he picks them up to carry them outside.

As we reach the first floor, I can't find anyone but my mother and my big brother to say goodbye.

'The others had to cool off. You know how much they love you! They will make it up to you soon enough.' My brother mind-links me as he hugs me tightly.

My mother cries awfully loud but seems to be rather happy, as she pinches Fynn's cheek, wishing us a good ride home.

Wow, thanks a lot.

I wipe away the tears in my eyes as we walk to the line of trees where a few warriors from the Blood Fang pack are already waiting for us.

As Fynn clicks his tongue and does some kind of defensive movement, I guess he was asked to hand a piece of luggage over for the others to take.

Well, as long as I don't have to carry them.

After passing the pack boarders, I think about making myself as annoying as possible, but I ultimately decide against it, as he is still supposed to be my mate.

And I don't want to land in some dungeon.

The men suddenly stop, and I see their eyes glaze over. As the supposed mind link is over, I can't help but notice how the warriors seem to be distressed while Fynn smirks challenged. "Busted." He chuckles as he continues walking.

"What do you mean by busted?" I ask, taking a few fast steps to catch up with him.

He shakes his head without sparing me a glance. "My brother just found out that I went to take you. And he is pissed!"

I halt in my tracks, and it takes him a few heartbeats to do the same and turn to me. "What is it now, princess?"

"Stop emphasizing the pet names you give me like that. Nobody is forcing you, you know!"

"Well, we weren't actually introduced properly, don't you think?"

"Ha-ha! You could ask for my name, you know? Rather than playing the strong and untouchable alpha idiot."

"Alpha idiot." He snorts, turning back around to ignore me.

As the others pass me as well, I notice that I didn't even get introduced to his entourage.

What a nice mate I got.

Lucky me!

We reach two SUVs and Fynn deposits my bags into one of them before he gestures to the passenger's seat. "Get in, little mate."

Goddess, why has he to be so irritating?

Protesting with a groan, I still get into the car reluctantly. As the four warriors who came with him to kidnap me are getting into the other car, it doesn't take me long to panic because we will clearly be left alone.