Madeline’s POV
“Maddie!” I heard Ali scream and she threw herself at me a second later.
I stumbled back a little, but Dimitri caught me. I could feel the anger exploding inside him. He growled and he started pulling me away from Ali. I could feel his fear. I could feel his need to protect me.
It’s okay. I mind-linked him. I am okay. She didn’t hurt me.
“Oh, Maddie, I missed you so much!” Ali said excitedly, tightening her arms around me.
She didn’t even realize that Dimitri was behind me. She didn’t even realize that he tried to pull me away from her. She didn’t even hear him growl.
His fear and nervousness grew by the second.
It’s okay, my love. I mind-linked him, trying to sound as calm as possible. She is my friend. She means well. She isn’t a threat.
His hands on my waist tightened.
“I missed you too, Ali,” I said as I hugged her back tightly. “I am so happy that you are here.”
She let me go and grinned widely. Her eyes fell on my dress and she gasped.
“Fuck, Mads, you look amazing,” she said. “That is one hell of a dress. What are you…”
She stopped talking when her eyes finally landed on, what I presumed was, a very angry-looking Dimitri. I smiled even wider, trying to make her feel just a little bit more comfortable.
“My King,” she mumbled, her eyes widening. “I am sorry, I didn’t…”
She looked back at me and gulped.
“It’s okay, Ali,” I said, reaching out and taking her hand in mine. “This is…”
She gasped and I realized that she was staring at Dimitri’s hands on my waist. She looked back up at me wide-eyed.
“Are you…,” she spoke, but she couldn’t finish her question.
“My mate?” Dimitri said angrily. “Your Queen? Yes, yes she is.”
I slammed my elbow into his ribs. He didn’t have to be so rude. He just growled quietly and tightened his hold on me.
“Oh, I am so sorry!” Ali exclaimed, looking back at me. “I was just so excited to see you and I didn’t…”
“It’s okay, Ali,” I said, pulling her into another hug. “I am so excited to see you too.”
She hugged me back, but I could tell that she was very careful this time. I chuckled and looked at her.
“I am still the same Maddie,” I said. “You don’t have to treat me like a Queen, you know? We ate dirt together.”
Ali snorted quietly and shook her head at me.
“What?” Dimitri asked and I looked up at him.
“It was a dare,” I said, shrugging a little. “I don’t like to lose so I did it. Ali was kind enough to do it with me.”
Dimitri sighed and shook his head.
“Let’s not spread that story around,” he said. “It’s not very royal.”
Neither is building a treehouse and getting knocked out by a board. I mind-linked him, smirking a little.
He narrowed his eyes at me.
You just earned yourself a punishment, my Queen. He responded and my lower belly started tingling immediately. You should know better than to mock your King.
Oh, I can’t wait, Alpha. I said, trying to sound seductive. I am not wearing any underwear, did you know that? I am completely naked under this dress and I am ready to be…
He stopped me from finishing what I wanted to say by growling.
Don’t you finish that sentence. He said sternly. I will rip that fucking dress off your body and fuck you right now.
I bit the inside of my cheek to stop myself from laughing. He wasn’t going to do that. He would never let anyone see that. I wasn’t going to finish that sentence, though. He wouldn’t fuck me here, but he could drag me somewhere else and we didn’t really have time for that.
“Maddie?” Ali called me, making me look back at her.
She was looking at me with a confused expression on her face.
“I am sorry, Ali,” I said, giving her a small smile. “What did you ask me?”
“I asked if maybe we could catch up a bit while I am here?” she said. “I know that you will be busy tonight, but maybe tomorrow?”
“Yes, Ali, of course,” I said, smiling brightly. “I would love to.”
Ali smiled and opened her mouth to speak, but she was interrupted by Alpha Alistair. He approached uS with a small smile. He glanced at Ali and looked back at me.
“I am sorry to interrupt, my Queen, but I was wondering if I could borrow our King for just a minute?” Alpha Alistair asked, bowing his head at me.
“I am not leaving my Queen,” Dimitri said sternly.
Alpha Alistair looked at him and smiled a little.
“It will only be a minute, my King, I promise,” he said.
I looked up at Dimitri and nodded.
“It’s okay,” I said softly. “I will be here with Ali.”
No. He mind-linked me. Will is not here yet and I won’t leave you alone.
I am not alone. I responded. I will be okay. Go talk to him.
Dimitri tightened his jaw.
“We don’t even have to leave the room, my King,” Alpha Alistair said. “Let’s just step away so we can exchange a few important words.”
Dimitri looked around and pointed at the fairly empty spot by the door. He could still see me from there.
“I will be right back, princess,” he said quietly as he kissed the top of my head.
I gave him a small smile. He reluctantly let me go and walked a bit further away to speak to Alpha Alistair.
“Wow, Mads,” Ali said as soon as they walked away. “You are a Queen?! I am so proud of you!”
I looked at her and smiled.
“It’s kind of insane,” I said quietly. “I feel like I don’t really belong here.”
Ali widened her eyes and shook her head.
“You do, Mads!” she exclaimed. “You should see yourself! You look amazing and so confident! I am so freaking proud of you!”
I grinned and shook my head at her.
“Enough about me,” I said. “What about you? Did you find your mate?”
Ali sighed and shook her head. “Not yet. I hope I will soon. I would love to have someone who would look at me the way Alpha Dimitri looks at you.”
“With a frown?” I asked teasingly.
Ali chuckled and shook her head.
“Like you are his whole world,” she said and I felt my entire body tingle.
I looked at him and my heart skipped a beat. He was talking to Alpha Alistair, but he kept glancing at me.
“I am his whole world,” I said. “Just like he is mine.”
Ali was silent for a moment, but then she asked something I didn’t expect her to.
“What’s that smell?”
