When they touch me (Shelagh Milano)
Chapter 0007

Artemisia

"Have you lost your mind?" I gasp, clenching my cup of coffee as Ramona cracks up. "You are such a pervert."

She recovers from her fit of laughter, wiggling her finger at me. "Come on. He sounds like an awesome guy. I know that your family is scared about him coming to get you, but maybe you just want to... Well... Let him get you." "You are impossible." I roll my eyes, hiding my smile by taking a sip from my coffee.

She shrugs, chuckling. "I know."

"Have you already thought of getting his number?" She asks, making me sigh.

"And how would I even do that?"

Pointing her finger at me, she inhales audibly. "Aaaah, so you have thought about it. Who is the perv now?"

I giggle lightly, shaking my head. "I'm serious. This is not a good idea."

"Nothing good ever is." She grins, making me smile.

Opening my mouth about to retort something, I halt in my movements. We both turn our heads to Zeno running towards me as if he was being chased by a gigantic stone.

I don't even get to react as he reaches us at lightning speed, grabbing my arm. "We have to go. Come with me."

"What? Zeno, what is happening?"

"Just come with me!" He shouts, tearing me out of my seat.

As we run back to our home, I try to get out of his hold which is starting to hurt me. "Zeno, relax. What is happening?" Naturally, he is too focused on his mind links to even register my questions.

Cristian, Costa, and Zaccaria are already waiting for us, and their looks are the last piece to complete my panic-puzzle. "Oh, my Goddess. What happened?"

"We are under attack," Costa says, steering us around the house. "We have to get you off the pack territory."

I stutter incredulously, looking at their expressions already signaling how they entered the emergency mode. "What?" "Just do as you're told. And walk faster." Zaccaria hisses, making me whimper.

No need to be rude.

Suddenly, Cassy stirs, risking taking over as a mouthwatering scent attacks my senses.

Oh, Goddess.

My head spins as every fiber of my body feels like it is getting reborn, making my nerves buzz pleasantly.

"Mate," I whisper, making my brothers halt abruptly.

"Hey!" We turn around practically simultaneously, laying our eyes on the most gorgeous man I have ever seen.

His bare, muscular chest is heaving, his tousled black hair inviting me to drive my hands through it. He reminds me of Cayden, only that his face is more handsome, his lips fuller. I'm losing my head.

"Get your dirtbag's hands off my mate." He roars, his deep voice tingling in my stomach.

This is bad.

Before I can even react to it, Zeno pushes me away in the other direction.

My brothers are already shifting, charging towards my mate as Zeno shouts, "Run!"

I hit the floor inelegantly before my instinct kicks in, having me pick myself up and run as fast as I can.

'What are you doing?' Cassy shrieks while I hear the fighting noises behind me.

My pace picks up as I can clearly hear my mate laugh, but I must be imagining it.

Stumbling over sticks and pebble stones, I run over my family's backyard, wanting to reach the forest.

Just another bit.

If I make it to the border, I can have other warriors involved.

As I have nearly made it to the line of trees, the amazing scent intensifies again, until he practically materializes in front of me.

"Shit!"

I risk bumping into his hard chest as I halt brusquely, falling backwards. A sly smirk appears on his gorgeous face as he towers over me. "You are fast, little mate. Impressive."

My breath hitches in my throat as he crouches down tilting his head.

"Where were you trying to run to?" He says sounding amused.

I should have known that my running away and my brothers trying to fight him off would have only enhanced the thrill of the chase for him.

Also, he doesn't seem to have a single scratch. And yet he was just attacked by 4 alpha males.

My chest is heaving as I'm thinking of a way to get out of this situation. Still pondering over the fact that I'm convincing myself that this is not thrilling and that I want to stay with my family, I feel taken aback by the fact that I seem to notice the dimples forming on his cheeks. Rather than the sharp canines that he is flashing at me.

"I-I-" I gulp, looking for any reason why I was running from my alleged mate.

He hums, seemingly waiting patiently for me to answer him.

Like a predator playing with his food.