Dimitri’s POV
I didn’t even get a chance to tell Ellie not to hug me.
Maddie and I just marked each other so our protective and possessive instincts were even higher than usual. I knew how Maddie would react because I would have done the same if a man hugged her. To be honest, I wasn’t even comfortable with her being in the same room as Will. I would explode if he touched her.
Ellie let go of me immediately. She looked at my neck and her eyes widened.
“Oh, Goddess, I am so sorry!” she exclaimed as she looked at Maddie. “I didn’t realize that you marked each other!”
“You did?!” Will gasped as he stood up and looked at us.
He had a huge grin on his face, but he knew not to come closer. His eyes didn’t even linger on Maddie for too long. I was very grateful to him for that and it just confirmed how good of a friend he was. He knew that I would be very possessive of Maddie for a few days after the marking and he didn’t want to make me feel threatened in any way.
“Oh, no, I am sorry!” Maddie said, making me look at her. “I don’t know what came over me. I didn’t mean to do that.”
Maddie was staring at Ellie with a horrified look on her face.
“Oh, Mads, it’s normal,” Ellie said, grinning widely. “You will be e bit overpossessive of Dimitri for a few days after the marking. There is nothing to apologize for. I should have been more careful.”
I wrapped an arm around Maddie’s shoulders and pulled her to me.
“She is right, princess,” I said as I placed a kiss on the top of her head. “Our instincts will be heightened for a few days.”
You did good, my love. I added through our mind-link. I am proud of how you defended me.
She looked up at me and chuckled. I winked at her and placed a small kiss on her forehead.
“Oh, Goddess, you are so cute,” Ellie sighed drawing our attention back to her.
I smiled and tightened my hold on Maddie. I wanted her to be even closer to me. I wished that I could just rip her clothes off and feel her naked body against mine. That was the only thing that would help with this burning desire I felt for her.
“It is nice to finally meet you, Maddie,” Ellie said. “I heard so much about you.”
Maddie smiled and reached out to shake Ellie’s hand. I tensed up slightly but managed to control myself.
“It is nice to meet you too, Ellie,” Maddie said softly.
Ellie smiled widely and looked at me.
“She is perfect,” Ellie said. “She is exactly what I always wanted for you.”
Will and I both laughed. Maddie chuckled.
“You sound like you are my mom,” I said, shaking my head at her.
Ellie sighed and rolled her eyes.
“Well, considering how many times I stopped you and Will from doing something stupid, I could be your mom,” Ellie said as she walked back to the couch and sat down.
“Oh, I can’t wait to hear about that,” Maddie said, making me frown at her.
“No way,” I said as I looked back at Ellie. “You can’t tell her anything.”
“I would never!” Ellie said, faking a gasp.
She looked at Maddie and winked. I growled and Maddie laughed.
“Stop teasing him, Ellie,” Will said, sighing quietly. “We have work to do.”
Ellie rolled her eyes. “You always knew how to kill the fun.”
Will looked at her and growled a little. I shook my head, smiled, and started leading Maddie toward my desk. I sat down and pulled her onto my lap. I kissed her shoulder and looked up at Will.
There was something really important I wanted to talk about with him. It should have already been dealt with, but with all the shit that was going on, I just put it aside.
“Did you manage to get in touch with the healer from Maddie’s pack?” I asked, placing another kiss on Maddie’s shoulder.
I couldn’t go long without kissing her. My body craved her more than anything.
“I did,” Will said, looking at Maddie. “He is waiting for further instructions. I didn’t send anyone to get him yesterday because of everything that happened.”
I tightened my jaw and a quiet growl escaped me.
“He?” I mumbled as I felt the possessiveness boil my blood.
“A 70-year-old he,” Maddie said softly as she turned her head and placed a small kiss on my cheek.
I gritted my teeth. The rational part of me knew I was being ridiculous. It didn’t matter how old he was. Nothing would happen. She was my mate and no one would take her from me.
But that irrational, possessive, animalistic side of me was fuming. That side of me saw everyone as a threat. Even a 70-year-old man. Even Ellie who was looking at Maddie with a smile on her face. Everyone was a threat.
“Should I call him?” Will asked with caution in his voice. “Maybe we can find someone else. A female healer.”
I tightened my arms around Maddie and shook my head. Finding another healer would take too much time. This wasn’t about my irrational jealousy. This was about Maddie’s health. I would be fine and I wouldn’t be as jealous in a few days. This was all because the mark was new.
“No,” I said. “We don’t have time to waste. Call him and tell him to be here as soon as he can.”
I was hoping that there was something we could do before the Alpha meeting in four days. I was worried about Maddie and her abilities. There were going to be so many people and it could overwhelm her.
“Okay,” Will said, giving me a small nod. “I will call and see if he can get here tomorrow.”
I nodded and turned my head to kiss Maddie’s temple. She was in my arms, but I missed her. I wanted to be alone with her so I could kiss and touch every part of her.
“Will told me a little bit about your mom and that bitch Savannah,” Ellie said, making me look back at her. “What will you do?”
I tightened my jaw so hard that it hurt. I still hadn’t met with the council members. I still hadn’t discussed the punishment with anyone except Will. I had been living in my happy bubble since last night and I really didn’t want it to burst.
“The law is clear,” Will said. “But we believe that the council will give us a hard time about Janet regarding the punishment.”
Maddie stirred in my lap.
“What is the punishment?” she asked quietly.
Will glanced at me and raised an eyebrow. I gave him a small nod. I was too fucking angry to speak and explain.
Will looked back at Maddie. He took a deep breath and released it slowly.
“Death,” he said quietly. “The punishment for endangering Luna is death.”
