Madeline’s POV
I stretched out and looked through the window.
A small smile spread across my face. It was snowing outside.
I sat up and glanced at the clock on my wall. It was 7:35 a.m. I woke up a bit too early, but I slept so well and I felt rested and ready to start my day.
I was just about to stand up and go to the bathroom when a quiet knock on my door stopped me.
I knew who it was even before the door opened.
“Come in,” I said, making Mike open the door.
“Good morning, honey,” Mike said as he peered inside. “I made breakfast. Are you hungry?”
I shook my head, making him frown a little.
“You have to eat, Maddie,” he said as he stepped inside. “You work all day. You can’t go without breakfast again.”
“I always eat at the diner,” I said and I saw sadness in Mike’s eyes.
It didn’t bother me. If he cared about me and my well-being, he wouldn’t have left me 15 years ago.
“Come on, honey,” he said, giving me a small smile. “Dimitri is here as well. We could have a family meal.”
My heart skipped a beat when Mike said that Alpha Dimitri was here. I didn’t know why, though. I shouldn’t care about him. I shouldn’t care if he was here or not.
But I did. I was glad he was here. He was the only one in this house who was nice to me.
Mike took my silence as a yes. He smiled brightly and walked out of my room.
“I made pancakes,” he said as he closed my bedroom door and winked at me.
As I let out a heavy sigh, I stood up and walked to my bathroom. I was hesitant, but a small part of me was curious to see Alpha Dimitri. Perhaps his presence would mean that Janet wouldn’t be her usual unpleasant self and that my morning could be a peaceful one. Maybe she wouldn’t even give me the usual glare.
I took my time to get ready since I wasn’t in a rush. After a while, I walked back into my room to get dressed. I chose a warm outfit because it was snowing heavily outside I put on jeans, fluffy socks, boots, and the thickest hoodie I owned. I grabbed my coat and left my room.
As I was approaching the kitchen, I heard Alpha Dimitri’s voice and my heart skipped a beat.
“Let it go, Mother,” he said angrily. “We are putting an end to that lie today. The doctor is here and…”
Alpha Dimitri stopped talking as soon as I entered the kitchen. He looked at me and a huge smile spread across his face. Janet was glaring at me, but I ignored her and focused on Alpha Dimitri.
“Good morning, Maddie,” Alpha Dimitri said. “How did you sleep?”
“Really well,” I said, giving him a small smile. “Good morning to you too, Alpha.”
I slept so well for the last two weeks. I didn’t know why, though. Maybe it was the mattress or maybe I was just too tired after work. Whatever it was, I wasn’t going to complain. I would enjoy it while it lasted.
“It’s Dimitri, Maddie,” he said softly. “I told you that already.”
I gave him a small apologetic smile and looked at Janet. She tightened her jaw and narrowed her eyes at me. I gulped and approached the table slowly. Dimitri pulled out a chair next to him and I sat down. Mike was sitting opposite me. He had a huge smile on his face.
“How are you, Maddie?” Alpha Dimitri asked. “It’s been a while since I saw you. Do you like it here?”
I was about to answer him, but Janet interrupted me.
“Don’t you remember what I told you yesterday, Madeline?” she asked, making me look up at her. “Your Alpha is about to become a father. You should congratulate him. Don’t be rude, Madeline.”
My heart started thumping in my chest.
Alpha Dimitri growled loudly. I looked at him and my eyes widened. He looked so angry. He looked like he was about to shift.
“You told her?!” he shouted angrily. “I told you not to tell her! I told you not to tell anyone!”
I was frozen. I didn’t know what to do. I couldn’t even breathe. Alpha Dimitri looked at me and my heart stopped beating.
“It isn’t true, Maddie,” he said and I could swear that I heard a hint of panic in his voice. “A she-wolf I had a physical relationship with is trying to force me to take her as my chosen mate. She isn’t pregnant. My wolf can’t feel the pup, because there is no pup. A doctor will examine her today and I will prove to everyone that she isn’t pregnant.”
My heart was racing. Why would that woman do that to him? Why would anyone lie about something like that?
“I am so sorry,” I mumbled quietly. “You don’t deserve that. Why would she do that? Why would she lie about something so important?”
“She isn’t lying,” Janet sighed angrily. “She is pregnant and my son is refusing to take responsibility. That is your pup, Dimitri.”
Alpha Dimitri looked at his mother. If looks could kill, she would be buried way deeper than just 6 feet.
“I can’t wait to look at that fucking ultrasound picture and see no pup in her,” Alpha Dimitri growled.
Mike sighed and ran his fingers through his hair.
“Leave him alone, Janet,” Mike said. “He is right. He needs to prove that she really is pregnant before he does anything. I can’t believe you are forcing him into that bond. He is the King. Do you know how many she-wolves would tell a lie like that just to become his Luna and Queen? Maybe Savannah is doing just that.”
Alpha Dimitri clenched his fists and growled quietly.
Janet looked at me murderously.
“Savannah is a very nice woman,” Janet said, staring at me with an angry look on her face. “That is the reason my son chose her in the first place. She isn’t like some other women who would sleep with my son just to get something out of it. Savannah loves him.”
I fidgeted in my seat nervously. Why was she looking at me when she said that? Did she think that I would sleep with her son? Was she insane?
I furrowed my eyebrows.
“Stop looking at Maddie like that,” Alpha Dimitri growled at his mother. “I don’t fucking love Savannah. I never loved her. I fucked her and that was it.”
I felt blood rush to my cheeks.
“Okay, enough,” Mike said angrily, ending the fight between Janet and Alpha Dimitri. “My daughter doesn’t have to listen to that.”
Alpha Dimitri took a deep breath and closed his eyes. He took my hand in his, making me shiver.
“I am sorry, Maddie,” he said as he opened his eyes and looked at me. “Mike is right. You shouldn’t have to listen to us fight.”
I gave him a small smile. “It’s okay.”
“Come on, honey,” Mike said as he pointed at the plate filled with pancakes. “Eat. You have a long day ahead.”
Alpha Dimitri let my hand go so I could eat my breakfast.
I glanced up at Janet and a cold shiver went down my spine. She looked like she was about to shift and jump at me.
Why did she hate me so much?
