Madeline’s POV Death? The punishment was death? No! I couldn't let that happen! I couldn't let Dimitri kill his mom because of me! An overwhelming wave of guilt washed over me, but before I could do or say anything, Dimitri cupped my cheeks and made me look at him. “This isn’t your fault, Maddie,” he said sternly. “You don’t have to feel guilty about it. It isn’t your fault.” I felt the tears burning the corners of my eyes. Of course it was my fault. She was going to get punished because of me. He was going to lose his mom because of me. ‘You shouldn’t have said anything, Skye,’ I told my wolf. ‘You should have kept quiet.’ She sighed but didn’t respond. I focused back on Dimitri and shook my head. “Of course it’s my fault,” I said, my voice quiet and raspy. “She is going to be punished because of me.” “No, Mads,” Will spoke before Dimitri could. “She is going to get punished because she made a choice to hurt an innocent person. She is going to get punished becaus
Dimitri’s POV As hard as it was I had to leave the blissful bubble I was in. I really wanted to spend all my time with Maddie. I wanted to make love to her. I wanted to lie naked next to her. I wanted to touch and kiss every part of her. I wanted to talk about our future. I wanted to learn more about her. I wanted to listen to the sound of her voice and let it lull me to peaceful sleep. But I couldn't do that. There was so much to do and I had to force myself to focus on work. “I don’t want any male wolf sleeping on our floor,” I said as I looked at the lists of our guests. “Maddie is mated, but some of them don’t care about that.” I felt anger rising inside me. I knew a few Alphas who were cheating on their mates. Their mates knew about it, of course. We could feel if our mate was unfaithful. It was an unbearable pain and I couldn’t understand how those bastards could hurt their mates like that. I would tear myself apart if I ever did anything to hurt Maddie. “I would neve
Dimitri’s POV I started kissing Maddie’s neck as soon as I closed our bedroom door. I couldn’t fucking wait for the day to end and for us to finally get some alone time together. I missed her even though she was right there with me. I missed kissing her. I missed touching her. I missed hearing those sweet moans come out of her mouth. “I wanted to…” she mumbled but stopped when I started sucking on my mark on her neck. She moaned and pressed herself closer to me. I took a few steps back and pressed her against the wall. I moved my lips to her jaw and she tilted her head to give me a better access. “What, princess?” I mumbled against her delicious skin. She was panting hard and I knew that I wouldn’t get an answer unless I stopped kissing her. I really didn’t want to do that, but I needed to know what she wanted. Her needs were my priority. Mine came second. So I reluctantly stopped. I cupped her cheeks and made her look at me. Her eyes were wide and her lips were slightl
Madeline’s POV I was worried. I wasn’t sure if keeping quiet was the right thing to do. I was sure that the council would expect me to say something. I was sure that they would want me to say something. She was in there because of me. I was sure that they wouldn’t want me to stay silent. I was also worried about Dimitri not letting me help him. Didn’t he trust me? Didn’t he think I would be a good queen? Did he think that I would embarrass him or do something wrong? I had so many questions on my mind, but I was afraid to look for answers. What would I do if I found out that Dimitri didn’t trust me? What would I do if I found out that he thought I would be a bad queen? A knock on my bedroom door made me look away from the window. “Come in,” I said and watched the door open. Ellie walked inside and smiled at me. “Are you ready?” she asked, looking around the room. “Where is Dimitri?” “Shower,” I mumbled as I turned around and leaned against the windowsill. “He will be h
Madeline’s POV My heart was racing. My palms were sweaty. It was hard for me to breathe. I kept gulping, even though my mouth was completely dry. I didn’t know why I was so nervous. “Maddie, princess, it will be okay,” Dimitri said again. “Don’t worry, my love. I will handle everything.” He pulled me to his chest and I relaxed a bit. “I love you, princess,” Dimitri said softly as he ran his hand down my back. “Everything is going to be okay. I promise.” I looked up at him and forced a small smile on my face. He leaned in and kissed me softly. I relaxed even further and I was able to breathe a little bit better. “My love,” Dimitri mumbled as he caressed my cheek. “My whole world.” My heart skipped a beat and I felt tears in the corners of my eyes. He loved me so much and I couldn’t believe how lucky I got. I loved him just as much. I loved him with everything I had. My heart was beating for him. A knock on the door made me tense up again. Dimitri placed a soft kiss o
Dimitri's POV My entire body was shaking with anger. I saw fucking red and I wished that I could wrap my hands around that fucker’s neck and squeeze. Why the fuck was Maddie so scared? What was the fucker thinking about? Can you and Ellie come to my office? I mind-linked Will as I watched those three bastards walk out. Is everything okay? Will asked worriedly. Is the meeting already over? No. I said. Just get here. I cut our mind-link and focused on Maddie. I pulled her onto my lap and I tightened my arms around her. “Princess…,” I spoke, but she interrupted me. “I am so sorry,” she mumbled. “I just couldn't handle it anymore. I couldn’t listen to that anymore. I didn’t mean to ruin the meeting. I didn’t want to…” I interrupted her by lifting her head and placing a soft kiss on her lips. “You didn’t ruin anything, princess,” I said. “You should have told me sooner. You should have told me the moment it happened. I would have ended the meeting immediately.” I car
Madeline’s POV Dimitri was shaking with anger after Skol told him everything. Skye actually spoke to me before she told Skol. She actually told me she was going to do that. I was very grateful for it. I wasn’t blindsided by the three of them for a change. ‘I only did those things to protect you, Maddie,’ Skye sighed. ‘I couldn’t let that woman bully you anymore. She needed to get punished.’ ‘I know, Skye,’ I said as I ran my fingers through Dimitri’s hair. ‘But it is nice to be informed for a change.’ ‘I will try to do that in the future,’ Skye said, chuckling a little. I was hoping that there wouldn't be a need for her to inform Skol about anything anymore, but I appreciated that she wouldn't keep anything from me anymore. Well, at least I hoped so. “I am going to fucking kill him,” Dimitri said, his eyes darkening. “He is a fucking dead man.” Will furrowed his eyebrows and looked at me. “Skye told Skol what Kendrick was thinking,” I explained. Will raised his eyeb
Dimitri’s POV “Will you be able to finish the meeting?” Will asked as they started walking toward the door. I kept my eyes on Maddie, trying to hold it together. We decided she would go with Ellie and Will while I finished the meeting. I didn’t want her in the same room as him. I didn’t want her anywhere near him. It was hard as fuck, though. I wanted to keep her next to me. I wanted to make sure that she was safe. I wished that I could just tell the council members to fuck off and kill them just like I would kill my mother, but I couldn't do that. “I won’t kill him if that’s what you are asking,” I mumbled, making Will raise an eyebrow at me. I sighed and tightened my jaw. “Just keep Maddie safe, okay?” I said, clenching my fists. “I will finish as soon as I can and I will meet you at the training center.” We agreed that Ellie and Will would take Maddie to the training center. Mike was there and I knew that she would be safe with him. If I had to let her out of my sigh
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