When they touch me (Shelagh Milano)

Chapter 51

ARTEMISIA

"What are your plans for today?"

Logan's smoky morning voice gets me to look up at him. He is lying on his back while I'm resting my head on his arm. "I promised Alberta to help her with the sewing work for the costumes for the summer ball to celebrate the solstice." "You can sew?" he asks curiously, and I shake my head with a giggle.

"Not really. But she was so excited about having me on board that I took something I could eventually manage by someone helping me out."

He laughs as he continues to caress the hair falling on my back. "You are cute."

"Thank you," I scrunch my nose, blushing. "I just wanted to make a good impression as future Beta Female."

Chuckling, he turns to me and pulls me close. "Oh, you did make the best of impressions already."

"Stop it, Logan," I say happily and push him away as he starts nibbling on the skin on my neck again.

He groans, laying on his back again, and watches me with a smile. "How about you move in with me?"

Pursing my lips, I don't get to answer as he attacks me again, pushing me into the mattress. "Don't make that face. Don't tell me my bed isn't comfortable enough."

"Oh, your bed is super comfy, Logan. And I would love to move in with you. But I don't think that your brothers would fancy that." I sigh, caressing his arm.

Shrugging, he flashes me his canines smugly. "Maybe they would start treating you correctly if you showed them what your options are."

"I don't think that this would be the right way to show them my worth. It would feel like an ultimatum. That's not a nice thing to do, Logan. It's kind of mean." I try to argue, but he doesn't seem to want to get my point. "And Matthew always treated me right. He is just following the rules now."

"Who cares? I'm the Beta anyway. My rank should get me a preference on where you should stay anyway."

"Really?" I lift my eyebrow at him. "Do you really want your brothers to challenge you over such a stupid thing?"

He distorts his face rather cutely as he is still set on keeping me in his quarters. "You aren't a stupid thing. And I would fight them whenever they want."

"Oh, my Goddess. You are impossible," I laugh, making him grin at me.

"I would do anything for you, Artemisa." He whispers as he moves his lips closer to mine.

My breath hitches in my throat as my emotions slowly are too much for me to handle. "I appreciate it, Logan. But please don't challenge your brothers over me. I want us to get along. We wanted to have - whatever you said it was - it settled, didn't we?" He nods and kisses me softly. I wrap my hands around his neck, hugging him closer, and enjoy the feeling of his warm skin on mine.

As he breaks the kiss, I squeeze his arm and scrunch up my nose. "There is something I should tell you. But I wouldn't want to destroy this moment. Would it be okay if we could talk about it another time?"

"Sure," he grins, pressing a featherlight kiss on my lips. "Whenever you feel ready to, babe."

"Thank you," I breathe out and he gets up, dragging me with him.

"Come on, now. Let's take a shower and get ready."

***

As I'm walking up the stairs, I can't even think of forcing myself to pay attention to my surroundings.

I hum as I pass the hallways and reach my floor which I share with the Alpha.

My mind is totally consumed by my thoughts and the memories of how I made out with Logan in the rain shower, starting my day the best way possible.

It takes my brain an awful lot of work to have me crashing down to the ground of reality as I take the last step of the wide staircase and spot a small army of Omegas scurrying in and out of my quarters with brooms and scoops.

I freeze in my spot as I watch them empty the scoops into a large bucket, the broken glasses landing in it with a shattering sound.

"Artemisia," Cayden calls me with his usual calm voice, tearing me out of my dragging thoughts.

"What happened?" I ask as I walk towards him with teary eyes.

He opens the door to his quarters and lets me slip in under his arms. "Come, let's talk."

Stepping into his living room, I cross my arms and turn back to look at him, without being able to admire the elegant beige interiors, mixed with dark woods. "What happened?"

"You tell me," he counters seriously, putting his hands in his pockets. "Where were you last night?"

"I spent the night at Logan's," I answer lowly, making him sigh exhaustedly. "I am sorry, but I begged him to let me stay with him. It wasn't his fault. With all of my mates ignoring me, I didn't want to stay alone last night."

"And it isn't because Fynn keeps harassing you?" he asks, and I let my shoulders slump.

I open and close my mouth repeatedly while he watches me, waiting for my answer patiently. "No. I mean... Yes... No, he doesn't harass me."

"Artemisia," he groans, closing his eyes. "He had strict instructions that he was forbidden to get near to you if he didn't make up his mind about this problem."

Nodding, I knead my fingers. "Yeah, and I wanted to keep him away... But nobody is talking clearly with me. I don't even know what the deal is. So, as he started showing a bit of affection, I took it happily. I mean he is my mate, for goodness's sake." "Why don't you sit down," he says, his calm tone freaking me out.

"Not until you tell me what is happening," I protest, my voice getting high-pitched.

"Artemisia, please."

I step from one foot to the other before I sit down nervously.

He sits down next to me, pulling the sleeves of his shirt back. "There was someone who broke into your room and made quite a mess. The Omegas are taking care of it, but he wasn't happy. Maybe you and Logan came closer during the night? I know that Fynn has been feeling certain

things when you feel them."

I nod, making him mirror the movement. "I guess Matthew wouldn't notice what happened the night before until he would smell Logan's scent on you and draw his conclusions."

"Also, he isn't really the type to vandalise my property," I add with a sad tone.

Cayden nods, pursing his lips. "If you want me to find another solution, or talk with Matthew and Logan about a scheduled sleepover to make you feel safe-"

"No, no. I guess it will just anger him more. And, whatever he is fighting with, he doesn't need to be pushed away even more. I'll confront him about this. He can't go on like that, goon

but also, as a mate, I can't go on

hiding from him," I say, interrupting him.

Clearing his throat, he gets back up. "I admire your courage but know that you are not alone in this. Tell me, if I can do something."

"Yes, actually... Please don't punish him. I know by the feeling in my stomach that he must already be locked up in the Dungeons, and if you could please let him out from there..." I plead as I stand up myself.

He grimaces before he opens the door for me and sighs. "Okay, but this is his last warning. I'll lock him up for a month if he doesn't start acting like a mate should."

"And I won't protest if that ever happens again," I agree, and he smiles at me.

I'm just about to walk out as he grabs my arm, pulling me back. Gasping, I'm met with his intense gaze, and for a second, I could swear that I saw golden flecks swirling around in his irises. The second he needs to make up his mind about what he wants to tell me actually feels like an eternity, my throat turning dry as my heartbeat accelerates.

"Promise me that you will be careful. It is about his wolf, and even if you might feel safe as his mate, don't underestimate Drake."

His warning tone makes goosebumps rise on my skin and I nod slowly as he lets me go. Something in my stomach tells me that this isn't everything he wanted to tell me, but he lets me leave, without adding anything more to it.