Madeline’s POV “Maddie!” I heard Ali scream and she threw herself at me a second later. I stumbled back a little, but Dimitri caught me. I could feel the anger exploding inside him. He growled and he started pulling me away from Ali. I could feel his fear. I could feel his need to protect me. It’s okay. I mind-linked him. I am okay. She didn’t hurt me. “Oh, Maddie, I missed you so much!” Ali said excitedly, tightening her arms around me. She didn’t even realize that Dimitri was behind me. She didn’t even realize that he tried to pull me away from her. She didn’t even hear him growl. His fear and nervousness grew by the second. It’s okay, my love. I mind-linked him, trying to sound as calm as possible. She is my friend. She means well. She isn’t a threat. His hands on my waist tightened. “I missed you too, Ali,” I said as I hugged her back tightly. “I am so happy that you are here.” She let me go and grinned widely. Her eyes fell on my dress and she gasped. “Fuck
Dimitri’s POV I didn’t like being away from her. I was able to see her. I deliberately chose this spot because it wasn’t as crowded and I was still able to see her. But she was still too far away from me. She wasn’t within my reach and that was driving me crazy. I wanted her next to me. I wanted to be able to touch her and hold her close. “I won’t take up too much of your time, my King,” Alpha Alistair said. “I can see that you don’t like being away from your Queen.” I looked at him and nodded. “I don’t like being away from her, Alpha,” I said. “We are newly mated.” Alpha Alistair nodded and gave me a small smile. “It’s understandable, my King,” he said. “It’s been almost 40 years since I met my incredible mate and I am still nervous when I have to leave her alone even for a few minutes.” He chuckled and shook his head. “I sometimes still can’t believe how much I love that woman,” he added quietly. “Mate bond really is incredible.” I looked at my princess and my h
Dimitri’s POV Maddie dragged me back toward Will and Ali. “What is your name, beautiful?” Will asked quietly as he caressed her cheek. He was completely entranced with her and he didn’t even look at Maddie and me. Ali was silent. She was staring at Will with a mixture of shock and excitement on her face. I pulled Maddie to my chest and wrapped my arms around her. I looked around, trying to see if anyone looked like a threat. I could only see the excitement on peoples’ faces. Some closest to us noticed that my Beta found his mate. They were looking at them and smiling brightly. Some were looking at Maddie and me. Their looks weren’t threatening, though. They were looking at us with admiration in their eyes. I could see both men and women looking at Maddie and smiling. I noticed a hint of jealousy in some of them, but nothing that concerned me. “Her name is Alison,” I heard Maddie say, chuckling a little. “Alison,” Will said, his voice laced with so much love and adoratio
William’s POV She was beautiful. She was all I ever dreamed of. She was my greatest treasure and I never wanted to let her go. “I am so happy I found you,” I mumbled as I sat down on the couch in my office and pulled her onto my lap. “I was scared that I never would.” She smiled and caressed my cheek gently. Her hands were shaking a little. I leaned in and placed a soft kiss on her cheek. She tasted and smelled like oranges. I fucking loved oranges. “I can’t believe this,” she said quietly. “Am I dreaming?” I chuckled and shook my head. “I hope not,” I said as I moved a strand of hair from her shoulder. “That would be such a damn shame.” I touched her marking spot gently and she tensed up a little. The skin on her neck was so delicate and so fucking soft. I couldn't wait to pierce it with my canines. Lowell whined and grunted, trying to break free. He’d been shaking since we breathed in her wonderful scent. I ignored him and pushed him back. This was my time with
Madeline’s POV I was a little bit tired. Dimitri’s anger and fear were immense and I kept trying to make him feel better. I kept trying to make him feel calm. I kept trying to reassure him. It was hard, though. I would finally manage to calm him down a little, but then another wave of anger washed over him with such intensity my insides twisted. It took me so much time and energy to calm him down again. Worst of all, he just refused to tell me what happened. “Will is on his way,” Ellie said, making me look at her. She was sitting on the couch with her arms crossed over her chest. She looked worried and I knew that Dimitri had already told her what happened. An unknown feeling made my stomach turn. Why did he tell her and not me? Did he trust her more? Maybe he didn’t think I would be able to help him. Maybe he didn’t think I would be able to handle it. ‘Stop it, Madeline,’ Skye growled at me. ‘You know that none of that is true. He will tell you.’ I took a deep br
Dimitri’s POV “I won’t be participating in the tournament,” Ellie said, making us all look at her. “Why?” Will asked her, furrowing his eyebrows. Ellie sighed and looked at Maddie. “Because I can’t distract myself with it,” she said. “Maddie needs to be protected. She needs me.” “Ellie, no,” Maddie said as she stood up and approached the couch. She sat down next to Ellie and took Ellie’s hand in hers. “You have to participate, Ellie,” Maddie said softly. “You’ve been preparing for it for a long time. I will be okay. Dimitri and Will won’t let anything happen to me.” She was right about that. I was going to destroy anyone who even thought about hurting her. Nothing was going to happen to Maddie. “No, Maddie,” Ellie said sternly. “I am not participating. If something happened while I was in the game, I would never forgive myself.” Maddie wanted to protest, but she was interrupted by a knock on the door. “Madeline,” I called her sternly. I wanted her close to me
Madeline’s POV I could feel how much Dimitri needed me. He kept flinching, squeezing my hand, and his anger kept washing over him in intense waves. “Can we please have a minute alone?” I asked, looking at Will. He furrowed his brows a little and glanced toward the door. “Mike will be here any moment now,” he said. “Please, Will,” I said, giving him a pleading look. He looked at Dimitri and sighed. “We will wait outside,” he mumbled as he stood up and looked at Ellie and Ali. “Come on.” I took a deep breath as I watched them all leave the room. Dimitri looked like he didn’t even realize that the three of them had left. I climbed onto his lap as soon as Will closed our office door. “I am here, my love,” I said softly and cupped his cheeks. “I am in your arms. I am right here.” I leaned in and placed a soft kiss on his cheeks. He grabbed my hips tightly and I could feel that his claws elongated. “I am here, Skol,” I said as I moved my lips to his jaw. “I love y
Dimitri’s POV The opening ceremony of The Tournament of Three Kingdoms was being held at the battle arena. The entrance to the tournament grounds was adorned with colorful banners and flags featuring the emblems and symbols of the Three Kingdoms. The torches illuminated the entire arena, making me forget that it was almost midnight. The stands were packed. It seemed like every member of my pack decided to come and watch the opening ceremony and the introductions of the competitors. It made me happy. It showed other Alphas how strong and united my pack was. “Are you cold, princess?” I asked Maddie as we walked to our assigned seats. She looked at me and shook her head. “I am fine, my love.” I shivered and turned into a melted pile of human flesh each and every time she called me love. I smiled and pressed a soft kiss on her temple. “Will I have to speak?” she asked. “No, princess,” I said as I caressed her soft cheek. “I will speak. You will smile and stand by me the ent
Madeline’s POV I groaned as I turned my head to my right. Every part of my body hurt. What the hell happened to me? Was it the pregnancy? I had no idea that your body could feel like you’d been hit by a train. I had no idea that your head could hurt like someone stabbed a knife into your temples. Would I have to go through 6 months of that? “Hello, my little bird,” someone said softly. The voice was both familiar and unfamiliar at the same time. I could have sworn that I had heard it before, but I had no idea where. I was probably dreaming. I gulped and felt around for Dimitri. I wanted to press myself closer to him. The pain would be gone as soon as I was in his arms. I couldn’t find him, though. Did he get up already? “I am here, little bird,” the voice said and I felt a large hand cover mine. I didn’t feel tingles. I didn’t feel sparks. I knew Dimitri’s hand and this wasn’t it. Whose hand was that? Where was I? My heart raced a little. The hand squeezed mine
William’s POV I was pacing around the room, trying to find some fucking way to remain in focus. Dimitri hadn’t stopped whining or growling. I could tell that he was struggling and that he was in immense pain. I knew that he wouldn’t be able to do shit until he came out of the shock he was in. But that was why he had me. I had to take over until he managed to focus back on what mattered the most. “She was poisoned with wolfsbane,” the pack doctor said as he finished checking up on Ali. “The dose wasn’t big. She will be okay, Beta. The wolfsbane just needs to leave her body.” I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. I almost lost it when I found her on the floor. But at least I found her. At least she was here. Maddie was… Gone. She was fucking gone. “Thank you,” I mumbled as I opened my eyes and looked at my beautiful mate. “You can leave.” The pack doctor nodded. He glanced at Dimitri before he picked up his bag and walked out of the room. Mike and Ellie walked insi
Dimitri’s POV I sank my canines into another rogue’s neck, biting through all the flesh and bone. His body went limp in my mouth. I grabbed him and tossed him to the side. I looked around me and saw my warriors and my guests fighting with the rogues. We were winning, but something about all this didn’t feel right. I had a bad feeling in my stomach ever since Will and I arrived at the border. I thought it was because I had to leave Maddie, but the more I thought about it the more I realized that wasn’t the reason. Will? I mind-linked him as I sank my canines into another one of the rogues coming at me. Yes? He responded, panting a little. Something isn’t right. I mumbled. Look at how they are behaving. A rogue came at me. He barely attacked even though he was a big wolf and he could have done some damage. He snapped his canines at me, missing my arm for only an inch. But it seemed like it was on purpose. He could have hurt me if he wanted to. What the fuck was going on?
Madeline’s POV “Oh, I am so excited about tonight!” Luna Alice exclaimed. “Do you know who is working with whom?” I smiled and shook my head. “I believe they will decide that once the challenge starts,” I said. “That’s a part of it actually. They need to figure out how to work together to find the object hidden in the forest.” Luna Alice nodded. “Oh, so exciting. I can’t wait to see who will win.” “I am sure that everyone will want Alpha Theodore’s warrior on their team,” Luna Maria chuckled as she took another sip of her drink.” Luna Alice nodded. “oh, definitely. “It will be so interesting to see how they will decide.” I smiled at them and glanced at Dimitri. He was only a few steps away from me. He was talking to Alphas Theodore and Lincoln. I couldn’t hear what they were talking about, but Dimitri was smiling and I relaxed a little. He was too tense ever since we came to the throne room. He refused to let go of me for the first half an hour. I barely managed to conv
Unknown’s POV “Is everything ready?” I asked as I put my hands in my pockets. I was looking through the window into the thick forest that surrounded my new home. It was just perfect. I couldn’t wait to build my future here. All of my dreams would come true in this place. I would finally get everything I always wanted to have. I would finally become everything I was always supposed to be. “Yes, Alpha,” Brody said. “Everything will be over tonight.” I smiled and took a deep breath. I was so excited and I could barely think about anything else other than finally seeing her tonight. “What about Kendrick, Alpha?” Brody asked and my mood worsened instantly. I fucking hated that man. He was nothing but a greedy, little rat who thought that he would get what he fucking wanted by sucking up to me. “He is a useless piece of thrash,” I said, growling quietly. “We don’t need him.” Brody was silent for a moment. “Are you sure, Alpha?” he asked. “He has insight into…” “What?” I
Dimitri’s POV If someone would describe me as an overprotective and an over-possessive mate I would tell them that they hadn’t seen anything yet. Now that I knew Maddie was pregnant, I would be damned if I let her out of my sight for even one second. Especially in a situation like this when everyone was here and where there was someone who wanted to take my throne. My mate and my pup were a sure way to do that. I would give up everything for them. “Princess,” I mumbled softly as I approached her and wrapped my arms around her from behind. I placed a hand on her lower belly and kissed her shoulder. I was holding my entire world in my arms and that feeling was so fucking hard to describe. “How are you feeling?” I asked her. “Are you nauseous? Are you uncomfortable?” Maddie chuckled and shook her head. “I am perfectly fine,” she said, placing her hand over mine. “I am only a few days pregnant. I think that the symptoms will come a bit later.” I knew that, but I had to as
Dimitri’s POV Skol’s whining woke me up from my peaceful sleep. I groaned and tried to shut him out. ‘No, Dimitri,’ he whined. ‘Let me out.’ I tried to push him back, but he wouldn’t budge. ‘Let me out,’ he growled, trying to push me to shift. ‘Let me out.’ What the hell was wrong with him? I groaned and opened my eyes slowly. It was still dark outside. Maddie was sleeping peacefully next to me. What the fuck did Skol want? ‘What the hell, Skol?’ I mumbled, pulling Maddie closer to me. ‘Let me sleep.’ ‘No, Dimitri,’ he whined again. ‘You need to let me out. I can feel him.’ Feel him? What the fuck was he talking about? Was someone here? Was someone on our floor? I opened my eyes abruptly and looked at the door. I tensed up and prepared myself to jump out of bed. I was going to kill whoever it was. I was going to fucking rip them to pieces. Were they here to hurt Maddie? Were they here to… ‘No, Dimitri,’ Skol interrupted my thoughts. ‘No one is here. I can feel
Madeline’s POV “This is just getting ridiculous,” I said, shaking my head. “This is getting out of hand. He needs to let me help him.” Ellie sighed, crossing her arms over her chest. “He isn’t going to do that, Maddie,” she said. “It’s dangerous.” I looked at her and resisted the urge to roll my eyes. “How?” I asked. “It’s not like they can tell when I read their minds. It’s not like they can feel it. I could be reading your mind right now and you wouldn’t know.” Ellie sighed again. “It’s not about that, Madeline,” she said, shaking her head. “It’s about what happens after. Dimitri doesn’t want to risk it and we all agree with him. It’s not worth it. He will find him without your powers.” I furrowed my brows in confusion. “What could happen after?” I asked. “They will want to know how we found out? As if Dimitri would want to explain that to them. They don’t have to know how we found out. We can just…” “It’s not about that, Maddie,” Ellie interrupted me. “It’s abo
William’s POV I knocked on the door gently as I opened it and walked inside Dimitri’s office. Ellie and Ali were sitting on the couch. Maddie was pacing around the room. My eyes fell on my beautiful mate and I couldn’t help but smile. “Hi, beautiful,” I said as I reached out for her. She blushed a little and smiled. She stood up and walked into my arms. I could feel my heart skipping a beat. I buried my nose into her hair and took a deep breath. I missed her so fucking much. It didn’t matter if I was away from her for only a minute. I missed her regardless of the time I spent away from her. “Where is Dimitri?” Maddie asked, making me look at her. “He is still at the party,” I said, giving her a small smile. “He will be here soon.” Maddie nodded and continued pacing around. “Is everything okay?” I asked worriedly. She looked worried and uneasy. “Everything is fine,” Elie said, giving me a small smile. “Maddie is just nervous without Dimitri.” I narrowed my eyes s