Madeline’s POV
I was a bit nervous as Dimitri and I walked into the throne room.
Meeting with all nine Alphas and their Betas was the first thing on our to-do list today. After the meeting, we had to go to the celebratory dinner where I would meet all the Lunas and the rest of Alphas’ families and staff that arrived with them.
I was both nervous and excited. This event was my first official event as a Luna and a Queen and I didn’t want to disappoint Dimitri.
‘You won’t disappoint him,’ Skye said softly. ‘You were born to do this. He is already incredibly proud of you.’
I ignored her. I didn’t want to talk to her. Not yet.
‘You will have to talk to me eventually, Maddie,’ Skye sighed. ‘You can’t ignore me forever.’
‘I can ignore you tonight,’ I told her as I pushed her back.
I took a deep breath as I finally got a clear view of the table where 18 men were waiting for me, Dimitri, and Will. All of them stood up and bowed.
I tried to get a good look at each and every one of them, but I was a bit nervous and it was hard for me to focus. I knew their names, but it was the first time I saw them in person so I couldn’t put names and faces together.
My eyes fell on the only Alpha I knew. Alpha Jack.
He was smiling brightly and I couldn’t help but smile back at him.
Dimitri led me to my seat and pulled out the chair for me.
“Thank you,” I told him quietly.
“Anything for my Queen,” he said, winking at me.
He sat down next to me and took my hand in his. Will sat on the other side of me.
Stay close to me at all times. Will mind-linked me sternly.
I glanced at him and furrowed my brows a little.
Dimitri told you that some of these Alphas don’t care about their mates. Will explained, tightening his jaw. You probably didn’t notice the looks you got the second you walked into the room.
My eyes widened a little and I shifted in my seat a little. I was a bit uncomfortable.
Are you sure? I asked Will.
Yes, Maddie. He said, clenching his fists. Just stay with us, okay? Don’t move away from me or Dimitri.
Okay. I said, forcing a small smile on my face.
I didn’t want the Alphas to know I was uncomfortable.
Why would they want me anyway? I was just a regular girl. There was nothing special about me.
“It is nice to see you all again,” Dimitri said, tightening his hold on my hand. “I hope you are rested and ready.”
“We are, my King,” one of the Alphas said. “We are excited to continue our conversation from yesterday.”
“We are also very excited to meet our Queen,” another Alpha said. “We are very happy you finally found her, my King.”
Dimitri looked at me and he smiled.
“I am very excited to introduce her,” he said, looking back at our guests. “This is Madeline Clark, your Queen.”
Every one of our guests bowed to me. I felt a bit weird, but I kept a smile on my face the entire time.
“It’s an honor to meet you, my Queen,” one of the Alphas said. “I am excited to work with you and get to know you better.”
That is Alpha Theodore. Dimitri mind-linked me.
“Thank you, Alpha Theodore,” I said politely. “I am just as excited.”
“You are even more beautiful than we were told,” another Alpha said, making both Dimitri and Will tense up.
I smiled politely. I wanted to say thank you, but I didn’t know his name.
I glanced at Dimitri and squeezed his hand. I needed to know who it was.
Lucius. He mind-linked me and I could hear the anger in his voice.
“Thank you, Alpha Lucius,” I said politely.
“Oh, there is no need to thank me,” he said, smiling brightly. “Our King is a very lucky man.”
Dimitri let my hand go and grabbed my thigh in a tight grip. I placed my hand over his and forced myself to keep smiling.
I am yours, Dimitri. I mind-linked him. No one can take me from you.
Dimitri’s jaw clenched. He took a deep breath and released it slowly.
“You are right, Alpha Lucius,” he said, trying to sound polite. “I am a very, very lucky man.”
Mine. Dimitri mind-linked me. Only fucking mine.
I rubbed his hand gently.
Yours. I said softly. Breathe, my love. I am yours.
Dimitri glanced at me and I could see him relaxing a little.
“It is so lovely to see you again, Maddie,” Alpha Jack said happily, making me look back at him. “I am so happy for you.”
I smiled at him.
“Thank you, Alpha,” I said. “It is lovely to see you again too.”
“Ali is here,” Alpha Jack said, making my heart race. “She asked to come so she could see you. We weren’t sure if you were still in this pack, though. You said you would leave as soon as you turned 18. I am happy that’s not the case.”
Dimitri flinched a little.
I am not leaving you. I mind-linked him. I will never leave you.
I know, princess. He mind-linked me back.
I focused back on Alpha Jack.
“Ali is here?” I asked and he nodded.
“She is very excited to see you,” he said, making me smile brightly.
I was excited to see her too. I missed her so much.
“I am excited to see her too,” I said, making Alpha Jack’s smile widen.
“She has no idea that you are a Queen,” Alpha Jack said. “I can’t wait to see the look on her face when she figures it out.”
I chuckled and shook my head a little. Ali was always very expressive. I could already imagine her gasping loudly and shouting. I would have to calm her down so she wouldn’t draw too much attention to us.
“That should be fun,” I said, making Alpha Jack laugh and nod.
I looked at Dimitri and he smiled at me. He lifted my hand and kissed my knuckles.
“Should we continue the conversation from last night?” he asked as he turned back toward our guests.
I took a deep breath and released it slowly.
It was time to work.
