Madeline’s POV
I kept a smile on my face as Dimitri and I walked through the crowd. Everyone wanted to talk to us. Everyone wanted to see us up close. We saw the members of our pack every day, but I felt like something was special about tonight.
“Luna!” one of the workers at the pack house exclaimed. “You look wonderful!”
“Thank you, Katie,” I said as I gave her a small smile. “You look amazing yourself.”
She blushed and a small smile spread across her face.
“Thank you, Luna,” she said shyly.
I smiled brightly and continued walking through the crowd, shaking hands and greeting everyone I could.
“You look stunning, my Queen,” I heard Kendrick’s voice and I tensed up immediately.
Dimitri’s hold on me tightened and I felt the anger boiling inside him. I used every ounce of strength I had to help him remain calm.
“Thank you, Kendrick,” I said, giving him a small smile. “It is nice to see you.”
“It’s been too long, my Queen,” he said. “We only see each other in meetings. That is such a shame.”
I kept a smile on my face even though I just wanted to run and hide. I was afraid that I would somehow hear his thoughts again. I didn’t want to know what he was thinking. I could see it in his eyes and in the way he was looking at me.
“It’s the nature of our relationship, Kendrick,” Dimitri responded instead of me. “We are working together. You are a member of the council.”
Kendrick looked at him and his jaw twitched.
“I know, my King,” he said. “I just wish our relationship was not just professional.”
Dimitri tightened his hold on me even more. I forced myself to keep smiling.
“Madeline,” I heard Ellie’s voice and I looked to my right.
She approached us, eyeing Kendrick up and down. She had a forced smile on her face.
“I came to take you away,” she said, looking at Dimitri. “The Lunas wish to spend some time with their Queen.”
Dimitri tensed up, but Ellie raised an eyebrow at him. I could tell they were mind-linking each other. Dimitri looked around and took a deep breath.
“Go, princess,” he said as he leaned in and kissed my temple. “I will come to get you as soon as I can.”
I nodded and Dimitri let me go. Ellie took my hand in hers and started leading me away. Kendrick bowed at me as I walked away.
“What was that?” I asked Ellie as soon as we walked away. “I never thought that Dimitri would agree to you taking me away.”
“Well, the Lunas really want to talk to you,” Ellie said. “And I saw both Landon and Alpha Lucius approaching. I knew that Dimitri would lose his shit if you were surrounded by so many people he despises.”
I turned around and saw Alpha Lucius and Landon talking to Dimitri and Kendrick. Dimitri looked like he was going to burst any second. I focused on him and tried to take as much anger as I could away from him. I saw him take a deep breath and his posture relaxed a little. I smiled and turned back toward Ellie.
We reached Ali and the Lunas. I smiled as I approached them.
“My Queen,” Luna Abigail said and bowed a little. “Thank you for joining us.”
“It’s my pleasure, Luna Abigail,” I said. “I am happy to be here with all of you.”
I came to stand next to Ali and she gave me a small smile. She looked around with a nervous expression on her face. Ellie told her everything about me and I could tell that Ali was afraid that something would happen.
I couldn’t wait until Dimitri made her a member of our pack so I could mind-link her. I needed to reassure her and tell her that everything would be okay. I could still see Dimitri from where I was standing. Mike was just a few feet away from us and I could feel his eyes on me. Will was also somewhere close. I couldn’t see him, but I knew that he wouldn’t go far. I was safe. We were safe.
I couldn’t mind-link her to reassure her so I just squeezed her hand tightly and gave her a small smile.
“We would love to spend more time with you while we are here, my Queen,” Luna Mary said, drawing my attention back to the Lunas.
“We just talked about how nice it would be if we had lunch together,” Luna Wendy said. “Just us ladies.”
I smiled and nodded.
“Of course,” I said. “I would love it. I am sorry I haven’t been around much. There is just so much to do.”
“Oh, don’t apologize, my Queen,” Luna Abigail said, smiling and shaking her head. “I get all worked up when I have one guest in my home. I can’t even imagine having nine Alphas and their entourage.”
I smiled and gave her a small nod.
“It’s challenging, but I love having you here,” I said politely. “It’s exciting to be a part of the tournament and the meetings.”
“I agree,” Luna Natasha said. “I wish we were meeting in different circumstances, though.”
I nodded and took a deep breath. “I am sure that our mates will find a solution.”
I looked to my left and saw Dimitri looking at me. I smiled at him.
Are you okay, princess? He mind-linked me.
I am fine, my love. I said, trying to sound calm and reassuring. I can’t wait to feel your arms around me.
I could see Dimitri gulp.
Soon, princess. He said. I keep imagining what is under that dress, you know?
I raised an eyebrow and smirked a little.
Nothing, my King. I said quietly. Everything is bare and ready to be touched by you.
His eyes widened and I saw his muscles clench.
Fuck, Madeline. He growled through the mind-link. Do you have any idea how hard I will fuck you tonight?
I smiled and tilted my head a little. His words made my lower belly tingle.
I can’t wait, Alpha. I said. I am already wet and ready for you.
His jaw tightened and he narrowed his eyes at me.
Look away or I am grabbing you and taking you away right the fuck now. He said sternly.
I winked at him and looked back at the Lunas. They were talking about the tournament and I forced myself to smile and focus on them.
I couldn’t wait to go home with Dimitri. His need for me only grew with all the dangers around us. I couldn’t wait to show him that I was here and that I belonged to him and him only.
