When they touch me (Shelagh Milano)

Chapter 76

ARTEMISIA

"One, two, three... Would you please hold still?"

Lisa and I chuckle as we watch Celeste count the pups that can't seem to hold still.

"They are so cute," I say, pushing myself off the small bus that we are leaning on.

Lisa is still biting on a straw from the juices we just drank. "Terribly cute."

"I've packed everything now, Missy. You won't miss anything even during your excursion," Daisy appears out of nowhere, carrying a huge rucksack on her shoulders. I force a smile as Lisa laughs. "Great! Thank you, Daisy."

Suddenly, the pups start jumping up and down as they see the warriors approaching and we step around the car to look at them getting closer as well.

"Strange," I murmur, getting Daisy and Lisa to look at me questioningly. "I can't see Matthew."

"Oh," Daisy says excitedly, making us look at her shocked. "I heard there was a change of plans at the last minute. He won't come with us because of pack matters."

I shake my head dumbfounded, "What pack matters? Nobody told me anything! I spoke to him last night and it was all alright."

Taking out my plans hastily, I scroll through the pages, looking for everything that would have to be organised anew if he didn't come with us. "Who's going to cover for him?" "In that case, I have bad news for you, princess,"

My heart falls to my stomach, making me feel the thud of the bag hitting the floor physically.

I turn around to see Fynn grinning at us, and I groan. "You have to be fucking kidding me."

"Oh, Master Fynn," Daisy shouts happily, making me roll my eyes.

Really, Daisy as well?

"Ladies," He greets us smugly before he opens the passenger door, gesturing to the interior of the car standing behind the bus where the children are currently settling in. "Get in." Scoffing, I get into the car and he closes the door behind me. "You two will ride the bus."

Lisa and I exchange a saddened look, but they comply without protest, and I see them join the pups that are already sitting on the bus.

While one warrior gets into the bus, I see Gregorius get into the other car with Celeste, and my heartbeat starts increasing as I realise that I will be alone with Fynn for the entire trip.

"I had planned for five warriors to accompany us," I say, hoping to be able to distract myself. Tucking my hair behind my ear, I take a look at my plans.

"We made a few changes as Matthew was replaced by me. You won't need all those warriors if you have me," he grins at me and I let my plans slump into my lap.

"Of course!" I groan, tucking my plans away. "But wouldn't it be nice if Master Fynn would talk to poor little beta-princess Missy about the changing of plans?"

He laughs as he sets back, and waits for the bus to drive off. "Sorry, it was really last minute."

"But it wasn't last minute enough to have Daisy know about it," I murmur while staring at the bus driving away, seeing the other car driving in front of it. I notice that we don't move, and I turn my head to Fynn to say something, finding him already looking at me. "There is no link whatsoever between me and Daisy. All the Omegas call me Master since I was stripped of my title," he says calmly, and I gulp. "It apparently was the only thing they could call someone of a higher rank without a proper title."

Pushing out a breath of relief, I lean back into my seat as he starts driving after the bus. "I would have never gotten over hearing that you had something with Daisy."

"Yeah," he shifts in his seat before he suddenly chuckles, "And the fairy entertains everyone who wants her to."

Lifting his fingers off the steering wheel for a second, he looks like wanting to explain it to himself. "I don't know why she followed me upstairs."

I laugh, pressing my tongue to my upper teeth, "Come on. Now you are pulling my leg!"

"I swear! She was one of the

she-wolves dancing for me and my men in the warriors-quarters, that's true. I admit it, but Drake told me that you were looking for me because you were in trouble, and I suddenly felt sick." He pushes his tongue out as if he were to gag as he has his eyes glued to the street. "And I don't know what she took as an invitation."

Shaking my head, I turn towards him, my heart skipping a beat as he smiles. "Thank you for saving me, by the way."

"Meh," he shrugs, but Drake's voice rumbles through my head, exposing him.

'Oh, he loves being your hero!'

He gets me to laugh, making Fynn look at me confused. "Sorry, I was just in thought."

Turning back to watch the passing landscapes while he concentrates back on the street, we fall silent.

The constant buzzing of the motor

and his scent get me to relax so

much that I nearly fall asleep. I

blame the mate bond for making me feel this comfortable around

vek

someone who constantly bullies me.

And the fact that he has been treating me slightly better in the last few days doesn't help at all.

Clearing my throat, I try to shake myself awake and find the courage to break the silence. "And Harper?"

He arches a brow, avoiding looking at me. "Don't worry about her."

He states it so simply as if it wasn't supposed to hang so heavy on my heart. Taking a deep breath, I try to change the subject, hoping to alleviate my pain. "Your title. Why did you lose it?" "Argh," he grimaces. "I fucked up. But I can't tell you that part without telling you all."

"Come on," I plead, shifting in my seat. "Give me something. You can't have me wait forever."

"It's not forever," he teases me. "Just until the ball."

I groan, crossing my arms, "Come on, Fynn. Be nice to me. Just for once."

He looks at me before looking back at the street in front of us, clasping the steering wheel tighter. "Okay, I will tell you a bit. But you will have to wait for the rest without any question." "One question!"

"No!"

"Okay, no questions, but you will tell me everything else before the ball as well."

He groans, biting his bottom lip. As he stays silent for several heartbeats, I am already thinking that I lost the deal as he mumbles, "I challenged Cayden for his Alpha title." "What?" I gasp, and he distorts his face. "Why? How? When? And you lost?"

"That's five questions. You are so bad at keeping deals made, aren't you?" he mocks me, and I press myself back into my seat.

"Sorry, that's just crazy information," I say lowly, avoiding his gaze before trying again. "How come he didn't cast you out?"

Shrugging, he clicks his tongue. "It's Cayden. But he isn't dumb. I probably would have gone on a rampage if it wasn't for him granting me a second chance. I just..."

"You just what?" I ask but he shakes his head.

"I already answered a question I shouldn't have. You will have to wait for the entire story," he sighs deeply, and I nod.

Clamping my hands between my legs, I ask, "But I will be allowed to ask questions then, right?"

"Is that your only concern? After what I told you?" he asks while laughing, and I shrug.

"Well, yeah."

"You are something else, princess." He chuckles, and we fall into comfortable silence again. I return to watch the landscapes changing around us and I jump as I suddenly feel his hand on my leg.

Moving slowly, he wraps his hand

around my thigh, holding me right

above the back of my knee. My heartbeat skyrockets as I try to act unbothered by his touch even if the

sparks alone make it impossible.

swnt

But it doesn't keep me from scooting closer to the side of the seat, getting him to tighten his grip.