Madeline’s POV
“I am so excited,” Seth said, making me look up at him.
He had a huge smile on his face and it made me happy. I liked seeing him happy.
“You are more excited than I am,” I chuckled as I looked back down at the counter and continued wiping it.
“Of course I am,” Seth said as he approached me. “I will finally know for sure if you are my mate.”
I felt nervousness wash over me. I was planning on leaving tomorrow. I didn’t want to find my mate.
Seth ran his fingers through my hair and I looked up at him. He smiled and caressed my cheek.
“Are you nervous?” he asked and I nodded.
“A little,” I said. “But I am excited to meet my wolf.”
Seth smiled and leaned against the counter.
“I am excited to meet her too,” he said as he crossed his arms over his chest. “She will be amazing, just like you are.”
I felt heat rush to my cheeks. I shook my head and looked back down at the counter.
“How will you celebrate your birthday?” Seth asked. “Jasper thinks that we should throw you a party.”
I gulped and kept my eyes on the counter. I wouldn’t be here for that celebration. I would be gone by tomorrow night.
I looked up at him and I was just about to tell him that I didn’t want to celebrate when the diner door opened and Alpha Dimitri walked inside. He had a huge smile on his face. My knees buckled and I had to lean against the counter to stop myself from falling to the ground.
He was so freaking handsome.
What the hell was wrong with me?
“Hey, Maddie,” Alpha Dimitri said happily. “Are you ready to go home?”
I furrowed my eyebrows a little. I wasn’t planning on going home. I was planning on staying here with Seth until it was time for me to shift. Seth said that he would be there for me and help me through it. I told him it wasn’t necessary, but he insisted. I felt like I was using him, especially because I was going to leave tomorrow. I had no idea how to tell him that I couldn’t stay in this pack. Seth meant the world to me, but I simply couldn’t stay here.
“I was planning on staying at the diner,” I said. “Seth and I made plans.”
I wasn’t even sure if Alpha Dimitri knew it was my birthday tomorrow. I wasn’t even sure if Mike remembered. It didn’t matter anyway. I wasn’t planning on celebrating with anyone.
“No way, Maddie,” Alpha Dimitri said sternly. “It’s your birthday tomorrow. You are coming home so we can have dinner and prepare for your first shift.”
My eyes widened. He knew? Mike remembered?
“I promised I would be there when she shifts, Alpha,” Seth said. “Maybe she can have dinner with you and your family tomorrow?”
Alpha Dimitri’s smile disappeared. He narrowed his eyes at Seth.
“We will be there for her when she shifts, Seth,” Alpha Dimitri said sternly. “The first shift is a family event. Maddie can spend the day with you tomorrow.”
“Okay,” Seth agreed immediately, making me look at him wide-eyed.
What? Why did he agree so fast? Did Alpha Dimitri order him? Why? What the hell was going on?
Alpha Dimitri smiled and looked back at me.
“Come on, Maddie,” he said excitedly.
Seth looked at me and tightened his jaw. I furrowed my eyebrows at him.
“Go, Mads,” Seth said as he reached behind me and undid my apron.
Seth removed my apron and placed it on the counter. I was frozen. I couldn’t understand what just happened.
“Go, Maddie,” Seth said softly. “We will hang out tomorrow.”
I gave him a small nod and he pulled me into a hug. He kissed the top of my head and took a deep breath.
Alpha Dimitri growled quietly.
Seth let me go and I forced my frozen legs to move. I approached Alpha Dimitri and he took my hand in his. He smiled at me and looked up at Seth.
“Good night, Seth,” Alpha Dimitri said. “We will see you tomorrow.”
Alpha Dimitri started pulling me behind him. I kept my eyes on Seth the entire time. He looked so sad and I just wanted to go back and hug him.
“Mike remembered my birthday?” I asked Alpha Dimitri as soon as we walked out of the diner.
Alpha Dimitri looked at me and his eyes widened.
“Of course he did, Maddie,” he said with a hint of surprise in his voice. “Did you think he wouldn’t? You are his daughter.”
I looked away from Alpha Dimitri and gulped. I wasn’t his daughter for 15 years, but okay.
“Are you excited?” Alpha Dimitri asked, making me look back at him.
He looked like a little kid who just got a brand-new toy and I had to hold back a chuckle.
“I am,” I said, giving him a small smile. “I am excited to meet my wolf.”
Alpha Dimitri squeezed my hand and grinned.
“I am excited to meet her too,” he said and I completely believed him.
I couldn’t understand why though.
We were silent the rest of the way, but I could feel the excitement rolling off Alpha Dimitri. He kept squeezing my hand and grinning at me.
“Honey?” I heard Mike’s voice as soon as Alpha Dimitri and I walked inside the house.
Alpha Dimitri let my hand go so we could remove our jackets. Mike walked from the kitchen with a huge smile on his face.
“I can’t believe that my little girl is turning 18,” Mike said as he approached me and pulled me into a hug. “It feels like you were born yesterday.”
I pulled back and gave him a small smile that didn’t reach my eyes. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t forgive Mike for what he had done.
Mike smiled back at me and looked at Alpha Dimitri.
“Dinner is almost ready,” Mike said. “Your mom isn’t here yet, but we can start without her. She said she won’t be home soon.”
Alpha Dimitri frowned.
“Is she with Savannah again?” Alpha Dimitri asked and Mike gave him a small nod.
“I don’t know what is it with that girl that made your mom like her so much,” Mike said, shaking his head. “She lied to you, for Goddess’s sake.”
Alpha Dimitri growled again. He closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and looked at me.
He smiled brightly again and took my hand in his.
“Tonight is about Maddie,” Alpha Dimitri said. “Nothing else matters.”
“I agree,” Mike said as he wrapped an arm around my shoulders. “Let’s go eat, honey. We have a long night ahead of us.”
