Chapter 4

Maliyah

Alonso was about to put an attack in motion.

It wasn’t long until Dimitri’s pack was behind us. The room shifted into full panic. What once was festive was now seemingly a battleground.

Alonso kept a fist raised halfway, to stop his members from pushing forward. And they all gladly followed. All of their eyes were set on me and Dimitri as if they’d kill us if Alonso wasn’t in command.

“Maliyah just received my mark and she is to leave with us after this assembly,” Dimitri stated calmly, as though none of his words provoked anybody in the room.

His pack was just as ready as Midmoon. Lowly growls and hissing sounds bounced back and forth between the packs and the guests from the assembly had cleared the way.

Other Alphas remained on the side, probably preparing for the worst.

Uneasiness wrapped my entirety as my breathing started to hitch. I felt myself lean on Dimitri as my chest continued to tighten. Dimitri called on someone else.

“Cain,” he called. “Stand for me,”

Cain was just as tall as Dimitri but his eyes were blue and his hair was more on a lighter shade of brown.

He stood before Dimitri and faced Alonso without any fear. Dimitri tugged on my wrist as four other members of the pack followed behind us while we made our way out of the room.

Past the door, the breeze struck my face like newfound air to the lungs. I was panting as if I had just done a few laps in the last five minutes.

Dimitri kept a protective and caring arm around me.

“Maliyah, breathe.” He commanded albeit softly.

“I don’t want a fight to break out,” I whispered.

“There will be no fight,” he reassured, matter-of-factly, “Alonso isn’t stupid enough to put anyone else in danger. Not when he’s trying to make himself look good in front of everyone at least,” he added.

I nodded slowly, letting it sink in and washing away my worries.

“Am I really leaving with you?”

“It would be weird if the mate of the Bloodsky’s Alpha continued living with Midmoon,” he said, a ghost of a smile playing across his face.

“Ah, well, that’s true,” was all I could say.

Dimitri’s hands cupped my face and looked into my eyes, “I gave you my word and my word is my bond. I’m your mate now and I will protect you from anything or anyone that’s looking to harm you in any way,”

The wild thumping in my chest was an alienating feeling. I hadn’t been promised such before since the passing of my mother, who had always been my protector. I was starting to wonder if I could fully rely on my safety on Dimitri.

But maybe that was too soon to think about. He’d just marked me. Maybe as we go, we’d figure it all out. For now, I’ll trust his words and let him protect me.

I nodded sheepishly.

After I caught my breath, Dimitri asked me to stay behind. Before I knew it, Cain was coming out of the room without him. As soon as he stepped out, his demeanor completely changed.

“Hello there, Maliyah,” he greeted with a warm smile. “I’m Cain, Dimitri’s beta,”

“Hi. Where’s Dimitri?”

“He’s just finishing business inside but he has told me to take you back to our place first so you can get settled,”

“Oh,” was all I could say. “I have to pack though,”

“Of course. We’ll help out,” he said and then snapped his fingers as the four other members followed behind us.

We stalked the halls of the Midmoon Manor as we were on our way to my bedroom. Their eyes followed knickknacks in the house as if they were familiarizing themselves with it.

“Have you lived here long?”

“About a year,” I said.

“Ah, I see. And have you grown accustomed to living with your members?”

“Hmm, I wouldn’t say so. I have a job at Coco’s Diner and I’m always working so I don’t really have the opportunity to get accustomed to the house or the pack itself,”

Cain only nodded silently. “Why do you ask?” I added.

“Oh, nothing in particular. It’s just that in our home, we don’t live in one house. We do live in one estate though,”

“Which means?” I furrowed my brows.

“We all have our separate residences. Our living conditions are basically up to us. I room with the other members, but Dimitri has his bungalow,”

I nodded. “Will I be staying with you then?”

My question made them stop in their tracks. “Oh, god no.”

“Where will I stay then?”

“Dimitri’s place. It’s only right—you are his mate after all,”

Of course. How could I forget such a basic thing? I wonder if Dimitri had already told Cain about the arrangement. He hasn’t brought it up yet and I didn’t want to be the first to say it as I didn’t want to step on anybody’s toes.

“Oh, yes, that’s true.”

We finally made it to my room and as soon as I pushed the door open, an unimpressed Argan was waiting inside with another full bottle of alcohol.

He couldn’t even look at me straight as he wobbled from where he stood.

“You stupid little thing!” Argan exclaimed, pointing at me. Cain immediately stepped forward. “And who are you supposed to be?”

“I’m a Bloodsky beta. And who are you supposed to be?” He spat.

“That idiot’s father,” Argan pointed at me.

Cain’s entire body tensed. “I’d be careful with my words if I were you,” he warned.

“You can’t tell me how to speak to my daughter,” Argan slurred and walked to me. Before I knew it, his hand made contact with my cheek. The slap almost echoed in the room.

Cain snarled and immediately shifted. A dark wolf stood in the room, surprising Argan and me. His wolf face brushed against mine and he lowly growled at a panicked Argan.

“I told you to be careful,” Cain roared. “The next time you run your mouth, I’ll make sure it’s the only thing you have left running.”