When they touch me (Shelagh Milano) novel Chapter 47

Chapter 47
ARTEMISIA

The pups are all awfully cute.

But also awfully exhausting.

I get to experience their energy firsthand as after dragging me through the house to see all the rooms and after getting shown all the appliances, I get invited to play different games.

Fun, fun.

But so exhausting.

At least now I know that whenever someone bumped their head and woke up without any recollection of daily life, they could come here and learn everything about kitchens and bathrooms.

And games.

Astrid and Celeste must be saints as they go through everything perfectly patiently. But even with all the children scurrying around, hyped up about their high visit, they find the time to fuss about Emma’s affection towards me.

She turned into a velcro pup, and I had to take her up as she wouldn’t let me go, also, she would seem totally lost as the other children kept casting her aside to come close to me, and she couldn’t defend herself.

Poor thing.

As soon as I had her in my arms, she kept herself busy by playing with my hair, and as the children gathered in the playroom, I was glad to get her into the games as well, even if it meant dragging her with me.

We are sitting on a bench by the playground behind the house, clasping hot cups with deliciously smelling coffee as the children climb and run around.

Their happy screams make me smile and I sigh deeply.

“You are a natural. Did you work with pups in your old pack?” Astrid asks me as I take a sip.

“Oh, thank you, but no. I don’t think I would ever have the right nerves for it. I mean, I love being here, but I’m a disaster. I'm sorry you have to put up with me because of my rank. I’ll do my best to improve,” I laugh, making them giggle as well.

“They are a lot even for us, but it gets better, I promise. They already love you, and the fact that Emma was already so clingy towards you shows how you are indeed made for this. And we saw how much you did your best. This has nothing to do with ranks. If you weren’t for us, I would tell Alpha Blackwood immediately.”

I chuckle, my gaze finding little Emma sitting all alone on a swing again. “I appreciate that. Thank you, Astrid.”

“And seeing that you have triplets in the family, it will be good for you to train handling a lot of pups,” Celeste says smugly.

I gasp as they laugh, making me shake my head. “Oh, my Goddess. You didn’t actually say that.”

They are already back making jokes as I look over to Emma again, my heart breaks at seeing her so alone.

Shifting in my seat, I bite the inside of my cheek. “Would you excuse me for a moment?”

“Sure,” they say in unison, looking at me questioningly for a second.

Setting my cup down, I walk over towards Emma and hold the chains of her swing as I lean over her. “Do you want me to push you on the swing, Emma?”

Emma looks like I startled her as she looks up at me with big eyes. She seems to think about it for a second before she nods repeatedly and shifts in her seat to sit on the swing properly.

“Okay then, hold on tight,” I announce to her as I start pushing her on the swing.

Soon enough, other kids want to be pushed as well, and I find myself giggling while organising turns.

Just as I’m about to get a little breakdown as coordination gets more and more difficult, Astrid is once again my saving bell as she announces that it is time for a walk.

Oh, my Goddess.

I already see myself running after escaping pups, and I realise that with my heeled boots, I am definitely not equipped for such an adventure.

My eyes widen as the little girl plays with her hair and starts whispering something unintelligible to me. Fynn chuckles as she beams up at him, apparently not shocked about the fact that she just talked to him. “Is that so?”

“Oh, my Goddess. Did she just talk?” I ask, stunned by the fact but he narrows his eyes at me, checking on the teachers approaching.

“Don’t tell them. They would just make her feel uncomfortable,” he answers just in time for Astrid to reach us.

“Hello, Fynn. Sorry for the trouble.” She says apologetically, but he just makes Emma jump up on his arm, getting her to giggle as he flashes his most gorgeous smile. “No worries, Astrid. We were taking a break anyway.”

“Well, time to go.” She holds her hands out and Emma, after distorting her face cutely, gets into her teacher's arms.

They have already walked a few steps away, the children still looking at the horses mesmerised, as I gather all my courage to face Fynn again.

He is already looking at me, making my heart flip, even if it’s not the nicest look I could expect from a mate.

“What did she say?” I ask, taking a step towards him but he shakes his head.

“It’s a secret,” he answers with a mocking grin, making me groan.

“Argh, come on. I had a tough day… Did I do something wrong?” I try again, but he just chuckles.

“Okay. Well then, see you… whenever.” I sigh, as I turn around, waving at Celeste who is already calling for me.

I have barely made two steps as I sense him moving. Before I can realise what he is doing, I feel him wrap his arm around me to pull me close and press his lips against my ear.

My breath hitches in my throat as his mouth-watering scent envelops me fully, not helping me to blend out his toned body pressing against mine as he whispers huskily,

“She has nice hair. I like her.”