When they touch me (Shelagh Milano)

Chapter 28

Artemisia

Blowing my cheeks, I tap my fingers on my blanket.

It's already past midnight, and the last nurse came in hours ago to apply my last cool compression for my head.

I feel so human, and I hate it!

I also finally understand how they always use to say that a doctor is the worst patient someone could actually treat.

Dr. Davies and also the nurses showed so much patience with me that they deserve a medal.

They took their time to explain everything to me, or better, didn't give up convincing me about the fact that the treatment they were performing on me was actually the best way to go.

I love the fact that they were all so nice, and hate it that it might just be because I'm mated to the aggressive idiot.

He surely would tear them apart if he heard they were mean.

But that wouldn't keep them from talking badly about me behind my back.

I take a mental note to come back after my discharge to bring some chocolates or something, and I get new hopes about my stay in this pack.

Imagine if it really became my home?

I smile to myself as I think back to Cayden's words, and am more determined than ever to make my new pack accept me.

Even if I'm not their favourite person, they will see that I'm trying my best as the future Beta's wife.

Or Gamma's wife.

Or the lead warrior's wife.

Goddess, this is such a mess.

Sitting up, I stretch and sigh.

'Are you happy now?' I ask Cassy scoffing, not getting any answer, only a strange mumbling.

She feels heavy in my mind and makes me feel anxious.

Strangely enough, after her giggling she went silent, and has been mumbling occasionally ever since.

Often she sounds like she is drunk, or feeling dizzy.

Rolling my eyes, I at least have to praise her creativity in showing her disdain for me.

'Maybe you would be happy if they were to execute me, because this way you would get another human that you can be happy with. Is that how it works?' Cassy yawps in the back of my head, and I shake my head.

'Fine, then.'

Getting out of my bed angrily, I flinch as my feet touch the cold surface of the floor.

I shake myself and make my way to the door. Peeping out to check that I'm not seen by anyone, I pitpat over the floor looking for a snack machine as I would definitely need some chocolate.

But I have barely made a few steps as I halt in my tracks, a wonderful scent invading my nose. My muscles relax instantly before I stiffen at realising who the scent belongs to. "What are you doing outside of bed?"

Turning towards Fynn, my heart stops as I see him. He is standing in the door of what looks like a waiting room, and he looks absolutely crushed.

Has he been there the entire time?

"I was looking for some candy..." I say lowly, my voice trembling more than I would like her to.

He takes a step towards me, and I hate his look as I take one back instinctively.

"Sorry," he grumbles, scratching his head. "I just wanted to... I'm glad that you are alright."

I nod, linking my fingers into each other. "What are you doing here, Fynn?"

"I... I was just... I was waiting because the nurse said she would look after you in a bit and I wanted to see what she said."

Shaking my head, I look through the glass walls of the waiting room, seeing that they had brought him a pillow and a blanket that he didn't seem to have used though. "Erm... Fynn? How long have you been here?" He looks back over his shoulders to follow my gaze before he chuckles.

"What do you mean? I have been here since I brought you here. What kind of mate do you think I am?"

I shrug, lifting my hands. "A mate that would mark his mate against her will?"

He laughs, and I hate how the mate bond makes my heart hurt at how he distorts his face painfully. "I'm sorry. You obviously don't want me here, so I will go."

I follow him as he steps back into the waiting room, to take his things, and my pathetic affection bubbles out before I can stop it. "No, wait. That's not true."

He straightens his spine with a deep sigh. Waiting for him to turn back to me, I knead my fingers watching his t-shirt stretching over his muscular back. "I'm sorry that I nearly rejected you, but you have to stop treating me like a doll." "A doll." He repeats with a scoff as he starts moving again.

"I'm being serious, Fynn. You have been nothing but condescending to me. Why did you come and fetch me in the first place?" I ask him, regretting the question the moment I have uttered it.

"What do you mean? You are my mate. I had to get you." He groans, now acting as if he would need to fold the blanket anew just to avoid my gaze.

"So, was it just some alpha-male behaviour to follow a custom? Just for the sake of traditions or pride?" I ask, my poor heart sinking into my stomach, as he clicks his tongue.

"Why? Ever heard of someone that went to grab his mate just for the love of it?" Actually...

I nod, the coldness of his answer hitting me deeply. "Okay. Very well, then."