When they touch me (Shelagh Milano) novel Chapter 117

Chapter 117
Artemisia

My cheeks are already hurting because I can't stop smiling as Fynn is waiting for me at the end of the staircase.

I pray to the Goddess that I don’t stumble as I walk down to reach him.

After an awfully hectic day during which I was dolled up by a crowd of overly joyful Omegas, everybody had already gone to the ball, and as even Ramona had left me alone, I'm quite happy that I have Fynn at my side to walk in with after the Alpha.

He has his hand on his heart as he beams up at me, “My Goddess! You are gorgeous.”

My heart does a backflip as he takes a few steps to meet me on the last steps. “At least tonight I’ll earn it if you call me princess.”

“You deserve it every day, beautiful.” He chuckles, lifting me up by grabbing me by my waist to spin me around.

I laugh as he lets me down, admiring my long red gown as he eyes me up and down with sparkling eyes.

He leans in, kissing my cheek gently just to whisper into my ear, “I’ll do my best not to destroy your beautiful gown tonight, but your make-up will be a mess, I’m afraid.”

“Fynn,” I gasp, and he grins at me slyly. “You are such a pervert.”

We laugh until an Omega steers us to the open main entrance, and exiting the pack house, we descend the stairs to the car waiting for us.

My mates are all standing around it, waiting for us to join them.

“Gentlemen,” I say, doing a little curtsy, before Fynn helps me into the car while I blush as I get showered with compliments.

Scooting into the middle of the seat, the others get in as well, making my heartbeat skyrocket. “I’m so nervous.”

“No need to be, love. It’s just a party.” Matthew grins at me, making me squint my eyes as I can undoubtedly see a hidden meaning to it.

I grab Fynn’s hand with both of mine as soon as he has settled into the seat next to me and I continue to clasp it until we reach the venue.

Leaning forward, I admire the venue from the inside of the car. “Oh, this is so beautiful. It's amazing how they brought our ideas to life.”

Music reaches my ear as we walk up to the venue and it suddenly stops, announcing the Alpha and Luna.

“Wait, what?!” I smile, and Fynn gestures to Cayden who is already holding out his hand to me.

“I’ll have your first dance, princess,” Fynn chuckles, kissing my cheek before he lets go of me to take Cayden’s hand.

“Ready?” he whispers with a broad grin and I nod.

“It won’t get better than that,” I joke, making him laugh.

I don’t know if I ever experienced anything more magical. As we walk into the beautifully decorated venue through the crowd that has parted for us, I have to remind myself to breathe.

Walking over the shiny dance floor, he spins me around once before we step onto a platform.

I have to fight the urge to cringe as I hate to feel that exposed, but Cayden hugs me to his side, making me relax instantaneously.

“Dear members of the Blood Fang Pack, I’m overly happy to have the chance to officially introduce you to your Luna tonight,” he announces with a happy expression, making me smile up at him as well. “We will be holding the marking ceremony and coronation on the night of the next new moon, which will be in about 3 weeks. I hope you will all be able to join our celebration.”

His eyes sparkle as he looks back at me and kisses my lips, making the crowd cheer even more.

“Now, enough with the formalities. Let the celebrations begin.” He swings his hand around, laughing and the crowd starts flowing onto the dance floor to start dancing.

Leaning down to me, he kisses my cheek gently before whispering, “I’ll have your second dance, right?”

I nod, beaming as he kisses me again and detaches himself from me to have me join Fynn who is already waiting for me at the foot of the platform.

Fynn helps me down the stage and steers me to the dance floor. After having spun me around, he pulls me close, making me giggle.

I take his hand and put my hand on his shoulder while he holds me close to his body.

“I really could get used to this,” I giggle while we sway around.

I’m still fully convinced that it will remain a classic ball, but the later the evening gets the more the music changes.

As I’m dancing around with Ramona and my mates in a totally silly way, I can’t seem to be able to spot Lisa.

Logan doesn’t seem to care though as he scurries around me constantly, enjoying his time just like my other mates.

Suddenly, Ramona halts, clasping my arm as she turns around hastily. “Did you smell that?”