When they touch me (Shelagh Milano)

Chapter 43

Artemisia

"What the hell were you thinking?"

I'm chewing on the nail of my thumb, as I'm leaning against the wall, wrapped in a dressing gown.

After Cayden nearly broke down my door to fall into my room and interrupt us at the best moment, he risked his life as Fynn and Logan were ready to attack him. I don't think that Matthew wasn't in the same mood, but as he was practically already pushing into me, he surely chose to keep back, not wanting to get me hurt.

Or maybe he had hoped that we could continue as his brothers were fighting the Alpha off.

But as it is Cayden we are speaking of, my mates chose to submit to his Alpha command, instead of starting a pack war.

Over sex at that.

And now, I'm trying to eavesdrop on their discussion as they all went into Cayden's office to talk it out.

At first, I was pretty happy that they left the door open, but as the argument goes on, I'm not convinced about it anymore.

I know that Cayden is the Alpha and has to look out for his pack. But I don't know why he would care how and when I should be intimate with my mates.

By the sound of it, it looks like there are things they didn't tell me, and as they talk about having to protect me from it, I feel sick to my stomach every second that I have to listen to them.

I would like to walk away, but I can't seem to tear myself away from the spot I'm rooted to in shock.

They seem to keep something from me, and it doesn't look like the cute little secret I have about my dormant wolf.

I can see the Omegas appointed to the floor hiding behind the columns and I smile embarrassed as they must be able to imagine what the men are arguing about.

"We had a strict plan and an agreement. Did you really want to risk her life like this?" Cayden asks angrily, making me think that he isn't talking about how they would have destroyed a highly sensitive mate during a foursome. There is something in his voice that makes my stomach churn.

Also, they should easily be able to tell that the door is open and that I'm eavesdropping just by my scent, but they seem to be so heatedly involved in the argument that I go totally unnoticed.

"And you should know best, Finnegan! You gave me your word," Cayden reprimands, confusing me even more.

"It's not my fault! I was keeping away from her, but Logan insisted on crashing her date with Matthew." Fynn growling these words, has me wrapping my arms around me to caress away the goose bumps. Keeping away from me.

Does that mean he was acting like an asshole on purpose?

Shaking my head as if wanting to get rid of this ridiculous idea, I try to concentrate back on the fight, even if none of the words they say make sense to me.

"I don't care," Cayden shouts, making me and the Omegas flinch. "You are the eldest. You should have control over the situation. I know that you had agreed on a dating schedule with each other, but it ends now!" "Not fair!" Logan groans, getting a threatening growl from Cayden.

"Don't you dare talk back to me! We still don't know how Drake is going to react to you claiming her together, or someone even claiming his mate before him. Are you insane? Risking her well-being for that?" Drake?

Like in Fynn's wolf, Drake?

Lifting my head, I see that the Omegas are looking at me concerned.

But I frown as they don't seem surprised.

You have to be fucking kidding me.

'Monsters,' Cassy clicks her tongue disparagingly, and I'm about to protest, as Fynn laughs sardonically.

"As if I fucking care," he is still snickering as he adds. "At least she will be useful for once."

His words pierce my heart like a silver dagger, and I have to physically claw at the fabric of my dressing gown lying over my heart to make me feel like I'm still able to breathe.

We jump synchronously, and I guess the men inside are doing the same, as Cayden hits his desk so hard with his fist that I hear it crack. "This is enough!"

Fynn scoffs, triggering even Logan's rage. "If you despise her this much, just reject her and let us lick her wounds! She doesn't need you, Fynn! I think she has made that perfectly clear. She is better off without you! It's you that will never find a better mate than her!" "Why don't you marry her perfect ass, then!" Fynn shouts back, making me shake my head.

"What are you? Five? That's exactly what I plan to do, you moron! She is my fated mate!" Logan shouts back.

Finally, a smile reappears on my lips, and I blush as the Omegas giggle lowly. Playing with my necklace, I take a deep breath, my heart mending a little with these words.

"Enough, you two!" Cayden interrupts the fight and takes a deep sigh.

After a second of silence, he finally speaks again. "What is Drake saying about this?"

I hold my breath, but Fynn doesn't answer. I'm just about to think about leaving as a growl rumbles through my mind.

'I'll tear his stupid ass to shreds if he only were to try it,'

The intensity of Drake's voice booming in my mind, has me leaning back against the wall, wanting to stabilise myself.

"Okay," Cayden says, rage still evident in his voice. "If you want to keep acting like an idiot, and keep those thoughts to yourself, you can happily do so! But we will go on with building up her position in the pack. If you want to be a part of it, fine! If not, even better!" My eyes widen, and I freeze as I thought that was just some kind of normal mind link.

Didn't he hear him?

"Now get the fuck out of my office! All of you! And leave her alone!"

The Omegas jump up, gasping, and start running around like headless hens, trying to act busy before my mates leave the office.

I'm just about to laugh at the sight as I turn my face and look straight into Fynn's frowning expression.

Pain curses through me, and I feel like my eyes are welling up with tears, but I cross my arms not lowering my head to escape his challenging look.

Soon enough, Logan and Matthew step out behind him and while Logan bumps into him provocatively, Matthew is already walking towards me.

"What are you keeping from me?" I ask him, ignoring Matthew's arms that try to console me.

But Fynn just tsks and starts walking down the stairs, back once again to treat me as if I were made out of stinky air.

Freeing myself out of Matthew's arms, I run to the Balustrade and lean over just to see his muscular back disappear into the lower ground. "What is it, Fynn?"

"Artemisia," Cayden calls me from inside his office, and I push myself from the railing to walk past Matthew and Logan and get into Cayden's office. Careful to close the door properly behind me this time.