When they touch me (Shelagh Milano)

Chapter 63 ARTEMISIA

"And that's all," I say stupidly, my voice getting high-pitched as I finish telling him what I had already told his brothers.

As I went through my tale about my rejection and Cassy revolting against me, his expression darkened more and more.

By the time I got to the end of the story, and told him about not being able to shift or her refusing to share any of her wolf senses with me, I actually struggled to keep my voice from breaking. Logan had let go of me and was clasping the edge of the pool so hard that I feared he would crumble the stone between his fingers to dust any moment.

I'm glad that we are sitting in a hot spring as him distancing himself has coldness creeping onto my skin.

Taking a deep breath, I try to push down the pain expanding in my chest.

I would like to speak and ask if everything is alright, but my throat seems like it's dried out, blocking every sound from leaving my mouth. So, I keep looking at him expectantly, letting his angry gaze consume me.

"What did your family do against the prick?" He asks, rendering me speechless.

As I stare at him, opening and closing my mouth repeatedly before I can finally stutter a sound. "Huh?"

"Didn't they take any action against him?" He tilts his head, rage flashing in his eyes. "Are you telling me that they just went on having good pack relations, pushing you aside as collateral?"

"Woah," I lift my hands, my mind running extra rounds to be able to grasp what he just said. "Are you seriously asking me this? What my family did to get revenge for me?"

He growls as I blink tears out of my eyes. "Yeah. What the fuck! He took advantage of you and then hurt you. If it had been for me, he wouldn't have made it to Alpha."

Gasping, I throw my arms around him, hugging him close. I can sense him growing stiff confusedly as he slowly lays his hands on my back. "Missy?"

"I thought you would reject me," I sob, squeezing him tighter. "Why are you defending me?"

He chuckles, kissing the side of my head. "Why should I reject you? You are my mate."

Hugging me fully, he sighs before he adds in a whisper, "You are my everything."

Swallowing another sob, my throat strikes definitely, blocking me from saying anything else.

"What made you think I would reject you?" he asks, jokingly. "I know that I can be an ass, but I didn't think you would think that low of me.

Not being able to say anything else, I shake my head.

"You don't have to worry. We will find a way to get her back into collaborating with you," he sighs, caressing my back. "Also, I'm quite convinced about the fact that us marking you, will calm her down. And if not, I can surely find another way to reawaken her." I can clearly sense the smirk in his voice as he keeps reassuring me. My heart flips painfully as I am still convinced that I don't deserve this.

I was not prepared for him to be so understanding and sweet.

As he notices that I'm still latching on to him desperately, he turns his head, pressing his lips into my hair.

"Babe, did Fynn tell you that I would?"

I nod, a feeble whimper escaping my lips.

"Goddess," he breathes out, untangling himself from me.

Taking my head into his hands, he leans down to be face-to-face with me. "You really... really... need to stop listening to what that prick tells you. We are going crazy over here, and he takes all his sweet time just because there is nothing we can do about it."

"What do you mean?" I ask, looking back and forth between his eyes.

Clearing his throat, he takes a quick glance at the entrance of the pool where we came through. "I shouldn't tell you because Cayden has forbidden us from doing so. But we have to play after his rules." "Whose rules?" I ask in a whisper as he distorts his face.

"Drake. None of us knows how to

handle that multiple mate situation with him because he... well... he is special. And he doesn't

communicate with us, and as you have been able to see, Fynn's character doesn't help in

this el

situation." He takes a deep breath

before he goes on. "We suppose that he has to accept you first. That's why we have to hold back with you."

"What do you mean by 'special'? Logan, what is happening?" I ask, feeling more and more concerned.

He shakes his head, "I can't tell you this."

Scrunching my nose, I chuckle awkwardly. "What? You are not being serious right now. So, he has some spécial position in your fancy little hierarchy. And if he finally decides to reject me after all this little game he is pulling, can you finally step forward?"

"No," his expression falls, making my heart stop. "I don't think that Drake wants to reject you. But if Fynn does, he will certainly not accept us going through with it. We will probably have to reject you as well."

My heart stops as I stare at him incredulously, my voice failing me as I want to ask more than just the feeble "what?" that swaps over my lips.

He shakes his head, retrieving his hands to cage me in once again. "I will do anything to prevent it. We will find a way. Don't worry."

"How can I not worry?" I suddenly yell as panic bubbles up my chest. "Are you insane?"

"I'm sorry... I-" he starts saying, but I interrupt him.

"No! No, Logan. You can't do this to me." I look at him distraught as he shakes his head.

"Why not mark me then?" I ask, making his eyes widen.

"Why don't you mark me now?" I repeat, pushing my hair off my shoulders to uncover my neck and shoulder to him. "He won't get here in time to stop you."

A sad smile appears on his lips, making my heart break. "I can't claim you before he does, babe."

Letting my shoulders slump, I look at him with a void expression.

My panic retreats, being pushed back by a wave of sadness and desperation that strangles my heart painfully.

"He would kill us all."