When they touch me (Shelagh Milano) novel Chapter 77

Chapter 77
ARTEMISIA

It’s funny how my initial anxiety transforms into disappointment as we reach the first checkpoint mid-way where the pups can run around while the drivers get a little break after the long drive.

The moment Fynn pulls his hand back to park and get out of the car, I feel like a piece of me has been taken away from me.

It’s getting worse by the minute.

‘We have to finally drop the mutts to take on the offer of the Alpha,’ Cassy purrs carefully, and I guess she got the right moment as Drake doesn’t put her in her place as usual.

Or maybe he has already begun to distance himself from me.

I get out after him, and join Celeste and Astrid in serving the lunch packets as they are already swarming out to reach the playground in the picnic area.

“Incredible that we are still on pack grounds after a four-hour drive,” I say astonished, making Celeste laugh.

“Yes, one of the perks of being the strongest pack, right?” She retorts proudly, and I nod with a smile.

I’m just getting my attention on a little boy who is ripping his lunch out of my hands as Fynn’s deep voice rumbles over the court. “We are checking the surroundings. Keep them on the playground.”

“Yes. Don’t worry,” Astrid confirms to Fynn before he turns to the two warriors standing at the tree line. I see the smallest of them still drinking his fruit drink while Gregorius just puts the last bite of his sandwich in his mouth.

I take a step towards Fynn, asking him concerned as the little boy is still clinging to me while nipping at his drink. “Didn’t you want to eat something?”

“Don’t worry about me, princess,” the men grin back at me before they take a step into the woods surrounding us and shift into their wolves.

The children scream excitedly, and Astrid turns toward me with a smile. “He needs something a bit... different... when he needs to work properly.”

“Oh, okay,” I say, acting like I understand what the hell she meant.

She walks to the kids playing and Celeste keeps them from running off, and I sigh. Just as I caress the little boy’s hair, and want to tell him if we want to join the others to have him play a bit as well, my heart strangely picks up its beat.

Even before the children scream again, I sense that Drake is about to barge back out through the trees.

Sighting the huge black wolf, I push the little pup still clinging to my leg closer. I gulp as he stalks directly towards us, and the teachers look at me shocked, Astrid realising that she is too far away from me to get the pup away from me in time.

Goddess, he wouldn’t hurt him, right?

His deep red eyes are set on me, and I lift my hand slowly, wanting to signal the panicky Astrid that everything is in control.

Even if I’m not sure about that, she couldn’t keep him from ripping me into a thousand pieces even if she really wanted to.

With another slow movement, not to anger him in his hunting stage, I move in front of the pup, shielding him with my body.

“Drake,” I shout, amazed at how my voice doesn’t shake at all. “Slow down. You risk scaring everyone to death.”

My heart flips at the coughing sound the beast makes, and I can see Astrid's eyes widen in the corner of my eyes.

I concentrate on Drake and try to keep my breathing regular as he reaches us with heavy steps which he seems to be taking in slow motion.

As he finally reaches us, I lift my hand instinctively, as if he were calling out to me.

He lowers his head, rubbing its side against the palm of my hand, and I get torn out of my paralyzed state, my fingers moving to slide through his surprisingly soft fur.

“Oh my Goddess,” I hear Astrid murmur shocked and I giggle. Lifting my other hand as well, I wrap my hands around his big head, caressing him.

Drake purrs, enjoying me cuddling him, and suddenly moves his snout to my stomach, nudging me slightly.

“Hey,” I shout out with a laugh, pushing him back gently. “Stop it now. You have to work.”

He gives in to my push, stepping back with a playful growl.