Madeline’s POV
I could feel how much Dimitri needed me.
He kept flinching, squeezing my hand, and his anger kept washing over him in intense waves.
“Can we please have a minute alone?” I asked, looking at Will.
He furrowed his brows a little and glanced toward the door.
“Mike will be here any moment now,” he said.
“Please, Will,” I said, giving him a pleading look.
He looked at Dimitri and sighed.
“We will wait outside,” he mumbled as he stood up and looked at Ellie and Ali. “Come on.”
I took a deep breath as I watched them all leave the room. Dimitri looked like he didn’t even realize that the three of them had left.
I climbed onto his lap as soon as Will closed our office door.
“I am here, my love,” I said softly and cupped his cheeks. “I am in your arms. I am right here.”
I leaned in and placed a soft kiss on his cheeks. He grabbed my hips tightly and I could feel that his claws elongated.
“I am here, Skol,” I said as I moved my lips to his jaw. “I love you.”
He growled and his canines elongated as well. I left a trail of soft kisses all the way from his jaw to his lips. I kissed him as softly as I could. His canines were on the way, but I didn’t mind. It was a part of him and Skol and I loved them as much as I loved every other part of him.
I caressed his cheeks with my thumbs as I placed a soft kiss on the tip of his nose.
“I am here,” I repeated quietly. “I love you. I love you so much.”
He growled again and I felt his hand run up my back. He tangled his fingers into my hair and held me in place. His claws weren’t there anymore.
“I love you,” I told him again. “I am yours. No one else can have me. No one else will have me. No one will take me away from you.”
Even if someone did, I would never stop loving my mate. I belonged to him since the moment I came to this world and I would belong to him until the moment I took my last breath.
He took a deep, slow breath. I caressed his cheeks again and placed another soft kiss on his lips. His canines retracted.
“Fuck, Maddie,” he mumbled as he buried his face into my neck.
He breathed in my scent slowly and deeply. I placed a kiss on the top of his head.
“I love you,” I told him again. “I love you with my entire heart.”
He wrapped his arms around me and hugged me tightly.
“I can’t even explain how much I love you, Madeline,” he said quietly. “You are my entire world. I would die if I lost you.”
I placed another kiss on the top of his head.
“That will never happen, Dimitri,” I said. “You will never lose me. I will fight to be by your side forever. This is the only place I want to be. This is my home. You are my home.”
He lifted his head and captured my lips with his.
“Home,” he mumbled. “My home.”
I smiled a little and caressed his cheek again. I could feel that he was a little bit calmer and it was everything I wanted and needed. I hated it when he was angry and scared. I hated it when he was upset.
Our office door opened and Will peeked inside.
“Mike is here,” he said. “We really need to talk to him. We don’t have much time.”
Dimitri nodded and motioned for him to come inside. He took a deep breath and placed a soft kiss on my forehead. I climbed out of his lap and sat on the chair next to him.
Thank you, princess. He mind-linked me. I needed this.
I gave him a small smile and took his hand in mine. I lifted it and kissed his knuckles.
I know. I said. I am always here for you. I will always be here to make it easier.
He smiled and tightened his hold on my hand.
“What happened?” Mike asked as soon as he walked inside the room. “What’s so urgent?”
Dimitri took a deep breath and looked at him.
“We need to talk about the security detail for Maddie,” he said, pointing at the armchair opposite his desk. “Alpha Alistair said something that worries me.”
I looked at Ali and took a deep breath. She looked confused and I knew that I would have to talk to her as soon as I got the chance.
What’s wrong, Mads? Ellie mind-linked me.
I looked at her and took a deep breath.
I will have to talk to Ali and tell her everything. I said. I can see that she is confused. I don’t want to keep her in the dark.
Ellie gave me a small nod.
Let me handle that, okay? She said. You have enough on your plate. You still hadn’t talked to Skye. You still hadn’t shifted. You have to talk to Oliver about your powers and figure out what to do. Not to mention this whole Alphas’ Meeting and the tournament that starts tonight.
I took a deep breath and closed my eyes.
She was right. I had so many things to do and I had no idea where to even start.
Let me help, Mads. She continued. I will explain everything to Ali.
I opened my eyes and gave her a small nod.
Thank you. I said, making her smile.
There is no need to thank me. She said. I am here to help.
I smiled at her and focused my attention back on Mike and Dimitri. Mike looked pissed so I could only assume that Dimitri had already told him everything.
“I want nine of our best men to keep an eye on each Alpha,” Dimitri said. “Discreetly, of course. I want to know everything about them and their movements while they are in my territory.”
“Even Alpha Alistair?” I asked, furrowing my brows a little.
“Just because he came to tell us that there is a traitor among the Alphas, doesn’t mean that I trust him, princess,” Dimitri said. “He could be trying to get close to us so he can do something. I won’t allow that.”
I nodded and Dimitri looked back at Mike.
“Have them followed,” Dimitri said sternly. “No one makes any move without me knowing about it.”
Mike nodded and tightened his jaw.
“We will start following them immediately,” Mike said angrily. “No one will hurt my daughter.”
