Dimitri’s POV
The opening ceremony of The Tournament of Three Kingdoms was being held at the battle arena.
The entrance to the tournament grounds was adorned with colorful banners and flags featuring the emblems and symbols of the Three Kingdoms. The torches illuminated the entire arena, making me forget that it was almost midnight. The stands were packed. It seemed like every member of my pack decided to come and watch the opening ceremony and the introductions of the competitors. It made me happy. It showed other Alphas how strong and united my pack was.
“Are you cold, princess?” I asked Maddie as we walked to our assigned seats.
She looked at me and shook her head. “I am fine, my love.”
I shivered and turned into a melted pile of human flesh each and every time she called me love. I smiled and pressed a soft kiss on her temple.
“Will I have to speak?” she asked.
“No, princess,” I said as I caressed her soft cheek. “I will speak. You will smile and stand by me the entire night.”
I was nervous because all the Alphas and the members of my council would be sitting close to us. I wished we could just sit somewhere else, but it wasn’t possible.
“Don’t let go of me,” I continued. “I want you holding my hand the entire night.”
Maddie leaned in and placed a kiss on my upper arm.
“Don’t worry,” she said softly. “I will be by your side the entire time. No one will hurt me.”
I gulped and took a deep breath. They would have to be fucking crazy to try something while every single member of my pack was there, but I could never be too careful. Maddie was my entire life. I had to make sure she was safe.
I can’t wait to go back home with you. Maddie mind-linked me. You have to take this dress off me and see what I have underneath.
My heart almost stopped. I looked at her and raised an eyebrow. She smiled a little.
I don’t want to spoil it, but it isn’t much. She added as her smile grew.
I tightened my jaw and forced myself to take a deep breath.
You will be so punished for this, Madeline. I said sternly. You made your king hard just as he is about to speak in front of hundreds of people.
Maddie smiled brightly and my heart skipped a beat.
“My King,” one of the Alphas greeted me and bowed just as Maddie and I stepped to the area for the members of the court and our guests.
I didn’t notice which Alpha greeted me. I was imagining what Maddie had or didn’t have underneath that dress.
My entire body tensed up when my eyes landed on Kendrick. He was looking at Maddie and the anger almost exploded inside me. I wanted to claw his eyes out. I wanted to kill him. I wanted to let Skol rip him to unrecognizable pieces.
Maddie squeezed my hand tighter.
It’s okay, my love. She mind-linked me. I am right here.
I pulled her even closer to me as we walked among our guests. All the Alphas, Betas, and Lunas bowed and smiled at us. Maddie kept smiling and greeting everyone. I kept my eyes on Kendrick, wishing I could end his pathetic life right then and there.
Relax, Dimitri. Will mind-linked me as we approached our seats. He can’t hurt her. He can’t even come close to her.
Will was already sitting in his assigned seat. Ali was next to him. She was looking around in awe, but I also noticed that she was a little bit nervous.
Maddie and I sat down and all the chatter in the arena suddenly stopped. Landon stood up and approached the railing in front of us. Everyone looked at him.
“Hello and welcome to The Tournament of Three Kingdoms!” he exclaimed, making everyone cheer and clap. “It is so nice to see so many of you here. Thank you all for coming.”
The crowd cheered and clapped again.
“Our beloved King will say a few words and then we will meet the participants!” Landon added excitedly.
I stood up and pulled Maddie with me. We approached the railing, making the people cheer and clap even louder. I smiled and waved at them.
“Thank you all for coming!” I exclaimed and the cheering and the clapping stopped. “It is so nice to see you all here. My Queen and I are so happy and proud to be the leaders of such a wonderful pack.”
Maddie smiled brightly and waved at them. The cheering and clapping started again, this time even louder.
“Luna!” I heard a few excited screams coming from the stands.
I smiled brightly. Our people loved her so much. I waited until the cheering quieted down a bit.
“The tournament will be exciting,” I continued. “Our Ellie had to step down due to some personal reasons, but the remaining nine participants are ready and excited to begin.”
The crowd clapped loudly.
“The first task, the Moonlight Duels will start in two days when there will be a full moon,” I continued. “I am excited to see who the winner of the duels will be!”
The crowd cheered and clapped again. I smiled and waited for them to finish.
“I will let our Lord Chancellor, Landon, introduce our participants,” I said. “I am looking forward to spending time with you all at the party after the opening ceremony ends.”
The crowd cheered and clapped again. Maddie and I waved at them and we walked back to our seats.
I lifted Maddie’s hand and kissed her knuckles.
“You are going to the party?” Will asked quietly as soon as we sat down.
I sighed and gave him a small nod.
“We have to,” I mumbled. “I don’t really want to, but we can’t avoid it.”
As much as I wanted to take Maddie back home where she was safe, we had to spend some time with our guests and the members of our pack.
“Mike and I have it covered,” I added. “Maddie won’t be alone for a second.”
I would go fucking insane if something happened. Mike and I made sure that someone I trusted was always close to her. I wasn’t planning on letting her go or leaving her at any moment, but I never knew what could happen. I had to make sure my princess was safe.
I took a deep breath, kissed Maddie’s temple, and focused on Landon and his introduction of the participants.
