When they touch me (Shelagh Milano)

Artemisia

"Relax, princess." He says mockingly as he starts the engine and drives off after the others. "I won't surely take your innocence in an Escalate."

"Ha!" I push out, turning my head to look out of the window. "Would be too late for that anyway."

As I'm expecting him to blow off, I'm quite taken aback by his chuckle. "Good to hear. That will make a few things easier."

Gasping theatrically, my eyes snap to look at him and find him smirking. His delectable dimples are already back on display as he is concentrated on the road.

Maybe it's the mate bond, but I have to say that he is even more handsome than his brother. His squared jaw is covered in stubbles and his sun-kissed skin makes me fantasize about him training and working outdoors. A lot.

As my gaze is about to wander along his muscular arms, his deep smoky voice tears me back to reality.

"Drake says he can't get your wolf to talk to him."

"Drake?" I ask, thankful for the change of subject.

"Yeah. My wolf. He is getting a bit agitated as she doesn't answer him. Is everything alright?"

"Sure." I lie, "Maybe she is traumatized by what happened too."

He chuckles, shaking his head.

"I hope she recovers quickly. He has even less patience than me."

Boy, what a catch.

"Just as quickly as she will be able to. Don't push her." I murmur, turning back to watch the scenery pass past my window.

If I wasn't outraged by this situation, I'd surely enjoy the view. The green hills and the flowery fields along with the beautiful brown and reddish cottages give up an entirely other atmosphere than I would have imagined by hearing my brothers' stories.

I hug myself as I watch the people who keep coming into the picture and turn around to wave at us shortly. A few of them take a longer look, probably trying to figure out who I am.

I have a mate.

A second chance mate.

And even if I feel like we didn't click at all, I found myself lying to him as I was too scared to face another rejection because of my dormant wolf.

So stupid.

But there is no way an entitled and arrogant alpha like him would approve of such a thing. He would rather reject me in a second.

Also, there is that story about the execution.

Cassy! Please!' I plead to her, without getting any answer.

"Here we are! Home sweet home." Fynn announces proudly while my eyes widen at the magnificent mansion in front of us. As he rolls onto the driveway, crunching the pebble stones under our tires, I can already spot a frowning Cayden on top of the wide stairs leading to the main entrance. Taking a deep breath, I get out of the car with sparkling eyes. While the two brothers start bickering, I take my time to admire the three-story mansion in brownstone and with impressive wings.

Just as I'm about to take another step to reach the stairs, Cassy stirs, making me clench my stomach in pain. "Everything alright?" Cayden is looking at me worriedly and I nod slowly.

I'm not convinced though.

From the open main door comes a mix of scents that are as alluring as they are unsettling. I can't wrap my head around what could be wrong as Fynn passes me with my luggage. "Don't forget to breathe, sweetheart."

Such an-

My brain as not even finalize the thought as my attention gets caught by something else.

There is something wrong.

And as my eyes fall on the guy that appeared at the door, my heart stops.

***

The gorgeous man who appears at the door looks just like Fynn and still, there is something different in his appearance. His traits seem softer, his face a tad rounder, his expression friendlier.

My brain is working hard to grasp the situation as it manages to make out Fynn's twin and the fact that he came to pick me up alone to deceive me.

That asshole.

"Is she here?" I hear another voice ask elatedly, and even before the steps come closer to join the brothers at the entrance, I feel my inside churn. You have to be kidding me.

Even before I can spot him at the door, my feet act by themselves and take off.

"No, no, no." I can hear Fynn's voice in the distance before he speaks right beside me. "I thought we already had this settled, princess."

Feeling myself getting lifted from the ground, I trash until he lets me fall with a groan. As I hit the floor with a thud, and he clicks his tongue, trying to get ahold of me again.

"Stop acting up! What is wrong with you?!"

"Hey, don't hurt her!" I hear the elated voice again, just that it no longer holds enthusiasm but more worry. Barely sensing him move, I can just witness Fynn getting tackled to the ground.

"Matt, get the fuck off me!" Fynn growls, throwing his brother off him. As Matt doesn't seem to give up, I take the chance to retreat slowly, just until my back hits a wall.

Only that the wall is a set of strong legs.

"Are you hurt?" He asks me, dragging me to my feet. "Did the prick hurt you?"

His eyes bore into mine, taking my breath away.

We stare at each other for a split second, before I shake my head slowly. Blue and silver flecks twirl around his pupils as he laughs. "Sorry for the ruckus. We had told him that we needed to address this a bit more carefully, but our older brother is just as unpredictable as a whirlwind and as stubborn as a donkey."

This actually gets me to smile, and I clear my throat.

"Don't worry. It's OK. I was just..." Looking at the two men who have stopped fighting and are now sitting staring at us, I can't help to shudder at the glare that Fynn is gracing me with.

"I was just shocked. That is all."

I turn my head at him shocked. "Is there another one of you?"

Matt sighs as the brother standing next to me laughs. "No, just us three. But it will be enough for you, I promise."

Laughing awkwardly, I let him steer me back to the mansion where Cayden is waiting for us with crossed arms.

"I had warned you, Fynn." He growls, his authority weighing on us. "You get a three-day penalty. And will leave her alone for that period of time."

Fynn clicks his tongue but doesn't answer his brother.

"You must be hungry."

"Starving, actually." I smile shyly and follow them into my new home.