When they touch me (Shelagh Milano)

Chapter 27 Artemisia

The constant low beeping is the first thing I hear as I open my eyes. I jerk up, finding an older man holding his hand out to me. "Oh, hello there."

He smiles brightly as he sticks his pen back into the front pocket of his white coat. His blue shirt and colorful tie combined with his semi-bald and U-shaped hair round up the perfect picture of a doctor. "I'm Dr. Davies, very nice to meet you."

I clear my throat, my voice coming out raspy. "What happened? Where am I?"

"You are in the best pack hospital there is, my dear. Your mate brought you in," he explains with a smile. "Apparently you hit your head and your wolf wasn't barging in. So, we did a few checks. If you don't mind, I would call in the Alpha."

I nod, clasping the thick blanket and he smiles again. "Very well."

He goes to open the door that is hidden behind a curtain hanging around my bed, but I don't need to see him to know that he stepped into the room. His scent calms my nervousness instantaneously, and I lay down on my pillow taking a deep breath. "How are you feeling?" Cayden asks me, making me open my eyes to look at him.

He is wearing his usual tailored suit and stands at the end of my bed with a worried frown.

"I'm fine," I say, making him shake his head. "Would you please not punish Fynn? He didn't know and I provoked him as we were fighting."

"Yes, they told me about it. But this is still no excuse to hurt you." He answers calmly and I knead my fingers.

"Please, Cayden. I'm sure that he didn't want to hurt me. I was hurt and did something I shouldn't have done. I should have known what was coming for me. And if he keeps getting punishments, it will just get worse as he will always try to one-up Logan and Matthew," I plead, cursing the mate bond for feeling this pity for him as he doesn't deserve it.

He clicks his tongue, and I sit back up. "Cayden, please."

Dr. Davies stands next to him with a lowered gaze as the Alpha addresses him to change the subject. "So, what is it?"

"Oh," he jerks up, opening the file in his hands. "Just a minor concussion, Alpha. Nothing that we can't take care of. Our tests also established that her wolf is doing fine and she seems to be fully healthy. We will keep her overnight, just to be on the safe side. Afterwards, she can return home, but she will have to rest."

"Of course," Cayden nods. "Thank you, doctor."

"All my pleasure, Alpha." He bows before turning to me. "I will leave you alone and check on you in a bit with a new cold compression."

I thank him with a smile before he bows again, and leaves the room.

Cayden sighs deeply as he sits down on the chair beside my bed. "I'm sorry for all this trouble, Cayden. You must have more important things to do."

"Don't worry, Missy. I'm just glad that you are alright." He squeezes my hand on the covers, but even before I can wrap my head around how soothing his touch feels, he has already pulled his hand back.

"I'm actually sorry that I didn't take time to talk to you in these days. Fynn threw us off our guards as he went to collect you. We had discussed taking it easy as it must be a shock to you, but you should know how he is by now."

My heart flips in my chest as he finally smiles at me, even if it's an exhausted smile.

"What is it?" He lifts his eyebrow at me, and I blush.

"Sorry, I was just waiting to see your smile."

As he knits his eyebrows, I gesture with my hands, which does not help with my rambling. "You know... since the lake... You didn't... Argh, can we forget this and start all over again?"

"Sure," he chuckles, making my heart skip a beat. "But now it is more important that you take your time to rest, and get better. I'll make up for having you torn out of your pack this drastically, and I will finally introduce you to the pack."

"Thank you, Cayden. You don't have to feel bad, it was his right after all. If you find your mate, it is customary that you get to claim her." I smile at him, hoping to cheer him up.

Sighing, he gets up, "Yeah, but our situation is a bit special. We should have been more cautious about it. Also, your brother has already complained to me, so... I really hope you will forgive us."

"There is nothing to be forgiven, Cayden. Don't worry. I'm happy, even if confused and exhausted... But I'm fine, trust me." I try to convince myself along with him as I clasp my blankets.

He nods, leaning down to press a kiss on my head. "Good night, Missy."

"Good night, Cayden."

He is about to step out of my room as he turns around right before he disappears behind the curtains. "I'm glad that you are taking his defence. I was always preoccupied about him getting someone who wouldn't understand him. He doesn't always deserve it, but he is a good man, and even if he doesn't show it, I'm sure that he is quite fond of you already."

An uncomfortable feeling knots in my stomach as I see him distort his face in worry, but I force up a happy expression. "I'm sure of it!"