Dimitri’s POV
Maddie dragged me back toward Will and Ali.
“What is your name, beautiful?” Will asked quietly as he caressed her cheek.
He was completely entranced with her and he didn’t even look at Maddie and me.
Ali was silent. She was staring at Will with a mixture of shock and excitement on her face.
I pulled Maddie to my chest and wrapped my arms around her. I looked around, trying to see if anyone looked like a threat. I could only see the excitement on peoples’ faces. Some closest to us noticed that my Beta found his mate. They were looking at them and smiling brightly. Some were looking at Maddie and me. Their looks weren’t threatening, though. They were looking at us with admiration in their eyes. I could see both men and women looking at Maddie and smiling. I noticed a hint of jealousy in some of them, but nothing that concerned me.
“Her name is Alison,” I heard Maddie say, chuckling a little.
“Alison,” Will said, his voice laced with so much love and adoration. “I am William and I already adore you, beautiful.”
I shifted my focus to the Alphas. None of them were looking at us. None of them were looking at Maddie. They were talking, eating, and having fun with the members of their packs. None of them look threatening and it was driving me insane. I wanted him to show me that he was a threat. I wanted him to show himself immediately so I could kill the fucker.
“Dimitri?” My mate’s soft voice made me look back at her. “Is everything okay?”
She was looking at me with a mixture of confusion and worry on her beautiful face.
I lifted my hand and caressed her soft cheek. Goddess, I loved her with every piece of my body and soul.
“Of course, my love,” I said quietly.
I bent down and placed a kiss on her forehead. I grabbed her hips and pressed her closer.
She was here. She was okay.
“Oh, my Goddess!” I heard Ellie’s excited voice.
I glanced behind me and saw her approaching us with a wide smile on her face. She looked so excited and I wished I could feel the same way she felt.
I was so happy for Will, but the anger and the fear I felt clouded every other emotion. I wanted to be excited, but I couldn’t stay in that emotion. It sparked inside me for a second, but then it was gone when I remembered what Alastair had said.
Maddie turned around in my arms and wrapped her arms around me. I relaxed immediately. I placed a hand on her head and pressed her to my chest.
I can feel that something isn’t okay, my love. She mind-linked me.
I gulped and buried my nose into her hair. I was getting more and more relaxed by the second. Her touch, once again, took all my fear and anger away.
I will tell you everything later, princess. I responded. I promise.
She turned her head a little and placed a soft kiss on my chest. My entire body trembled.
“Hi!” Ellie’s excited voice turned my attention back to Will and Ali.
I felt that spark of excitement again and this time it lasted longer. I even managed to smile a little.
“My name is Ellie and I am so excited to meet you!” Ellie exclaimed as she pulled Ali into a hug.
Will growled quietly.
“Oh, relax,” Ellie said as she let Ali go. “I need to properly greet my sister-in-law.”
Ali’s eyes widened a little, but she managed to smile.
“Hi,” she said quietly. “It’s nice to meet you. I am Ali.”
Will pulled Ali back into his arms. He buried his nose into her hair and took a deep breath. He smiled and I could see his body relax.
Congratulations, man. I mind-linked him. I am so happy for you.
He looked at me and smiled.
Thank you. He responded. I can’t believe it. I am in shock. I found her!
I saw him tightening his arms around her and I smiled.
“Oh, I am so happy for you, Will!” Ellie exclaimed as she gave him a side hug.
Will smiled and placed a kiss on her temple.
“Thank you, Ellie,” he said softly.
Maddie turned back around and reached out to take Ali’s hand in hers.
“I am so happy for you,” Maddie said softly. “Will is an amazing man, Ali. You deserve someone like him. He will love you and cherish you with everything he has. I am sure of it.”
“He will also annoy you with everything he has,” Ellie added teasingly.
I snorted and Maddie chuckled. Ali bit her lower lip to stop herself from grinning.
Will growled and narrowed his eyes at Ellie.
“Oh, don’t worry, Ellie,” he said. “I leave that part for annoying little sisters.”
Ellie raised her brows. “Sisters? You have more than one? How come I didn’t know about that? I am hurt, William.”
Will rolled his eyes at her and looked at me.
“Would it be okay if I took Ali…,” he spoke, but I interrupted him before he even got to finish his question.
“Go,” I said, giving him a small smile.
He glanced at Maddie and a hint of worry flashed in his eyes.
Do you need me here? He asked. I can stay…
Go. I interrupted him again. I am here. Maddie will be okay.
He gave me a small nod and bent down to whisper something into Ali’s ear. She looked at him and nodded. He smiled and kissed her forehead. I watch him take her hand in his and lead her out of the throne room.
“Oh, I am so excited for him,” Ellie said softly.
“Me too,” Maddie said. “Ali is an amazing girl.”
Our guests started approaching us now that Will and Ali had left. They wanted to talk to Maddie and me. The fear I felt earlier returned and I pressed Maddie as close to me as possible. I could feel my muscles clenching and I could feel my Alpha aura creating a protective circle around Maddie and me. I didn’t want anyone to come too close. I didn’t want anyone to touch her.
Ellie furrowed her brows a little.
Is everything okay, Dimitri? She mind-linked me.
I gulped and shook my head a little.
No. I said. We have a problem.
Ellie widened her eyes and I saw her stance change from carefree and relaxed to careful and protective.
What’s wrong? She asked. Is Maddie in danger?
My heart raced.
Not right now. I said, trying to remain calm. But we need to meet tomorrow morning. We have some important work to do.
