Madeline’s POV
I woke up with a terrible headache.
“Hey, princess,” Dimitri said quietly and I felt his lips on my temple.
The headache lessened instantly. I smiled a little and turned my head toward him. I opened my eyes slowly and his handsome face made my heart skip a beat.
“How are you, my love?” he asked softly.
I sighed and furrowed my brows.
“I am still a bit tired,” I said. “And my head hurts.”
Dimitri pulled me closer and placed another kiss on my temple. I smiled and ran my hands up and down his body.
“What time is it?” I asked, closing my eyes and leaning my head on his chest.
“8 a.m.,” he said. “You fell asleep right after you shifted back. I got a bit worried, to be honest. You kind of passed out. But it’s normal. Shifting for the first time can be exhausting.”
Shifted back?
And then I remembered.
I shifted! I couldn’t believe I forgot about that!
I opened my eyes and looked up at him. He smiled and caressed my cheek.
“Skye is beautiful,” he said with so much love in his voice that I couldn’t stop a shiver going down my spine. “Skol is head over heels in love with her.”
I gulped and took a deep breath.
“Is she really…,” I mumbled, but I couldn’t finish my question.
Dimitri nodded and gave me a small smile.
“We already knew that, princess,” he said. “Did you really think that she would turn out to be a regular wolf?”
I looked at his chest and tightened my jaw.
I hoped that she would. I hoped that they were wrong about me. I hoped I wasn’t a Lycan. I hoped that everything was just a big mistake.
“Oh, princess,” Dimitri mumbled as he placed a kiss on my forehead. “She is amazing and I love her with all my heart. She is a part of you and I don’t want her to be anything or anyone else.”
I felt tears burning the corners of my eyes. I loved her too, but I was still so angry. Why did she keep it from me? Why didn’t she want to shift when I turned 18? She left me alone. I was so scared back then and she left me alone. I desperately needed someone and she chose to leave me. What if Dimitri didn’t turn out to be my mate? What if I left the pack and got killed because she refused to shift? She left me alone when I needed her the most.
‘Maddie, I…,’ she spoke, but I pushed her back.
I didn’t want to talk to her.
“Skol is completely in love with her,” Dimitri continued, chuckling a little. “He refused to shift back for hours. He only shifted back when Skye did and when you fell asleep in his arms.”
I looked up at Dimitri and forced a small smile on my face.
“I am so happy for Skol,” I said quietly.
Dimitri leaned in and placed a soft kiss on my lips.
“He loves you just as much,” he mumbled. “You two are his greatest treasure.”
I smiled and ran my fingers through Dimitri’s beard. He groaned quietly and caressed my back. I didn’t even realize I was naked.
Dimitri reached the back of my thigh and pulled my leg over his waist. I could feel his hard dick rubbing against me and I gasped in pleasure.
“Can I fuck you, princess?” he asked, his voice deep and raspy. “Please.”
I was about to tell him yes when we were interrupted by a knock on the door.
Dimitri growled and stopped what he was doing. I wanted to whine.
“Are you fucking kidding me,” he muttered and got out of bed.
I looked at his naked butt and I wanted to drool. I couldn’t understand how it was possible for him to be as perfect as he was. His butt and his legs were made of muscles. Hell, his entire body was made of muscles. His butt clenched as he walked and I just wanted him back in this bed so I could ride him. I wanted his hands on my body. I wanted those strong, muscular hands to wrap around me and press me against his broad chest. I wanted him inside me. I wanted him on me. I wanted him everywhere.
“Madeline,” he growled as he put his sweatpants on. “Stop it.”
I bit the inside of my cheek to stop myself from smiling.
He growled at me again and approached the bedroom door.
“What?” he asked angrily as he opened the door.
“Is Maddie ready?” I heard Ellie’s voice.
I furrowed my brows. Ready for what?
Dimitri looked at me with a confused expression on his face.
“Don’t tell me she forgot,” Ellie sighed. “Mike is waiting for us.”
“Forgot about what?” Dimitri asked, looking back at Ellie.
I groaned when I remembered. Shit.
“Our first training session is today,” Ellie said. “Mike is waiting for us at the center.”
“Shit,” I mumbled as I threw the blanket off and stood up. “I will be ready in a second, Ellie.”
“No,” Dimitri said sternly, closing the door a little so Ellie couldn’t see me. “She just shifted for the first time yesterday and I can’t go with you to the center today.”
Ellie sighed again and I could practically hear her rolling her eyes.
“She will be fine, Dimitri,” Ellie said. “I will be there. Her dad is there. She needs to learn how to fight.”
I opened the bathroom door and rushed to get ready.
“She is right, Dimitri,” I shouted. “I will be okay. I need to start practicing.”
Dimitri closed the bedroom door and walked toward the bathroom.
I will be right there, Ellie. I mind-linked her.
I’m waiting. She responded. Hurry up. We are already late.
“I don’t agree with this, Maddie,” Dimitri said as he walked inside the bathroom. “I can’t go with you and I don’t want you to go alone.”
I spit out the toothpaste and looked at him.
“I won’t be alone,” I mumbled as I continued to brush my teeth. “Ellie and Mike will be there.”
Dimitri rolled his eyes at me.
“They can’t protect you like I can,” he said angrily. “No one can protect you like I can.”
I sighed and turned around to rinse my mouth. Dimitri was right behind me when I turned back around. I wrapped my arms around his waist and rested my chin on his chest. I smiled at him.
“I know that,” I said. “But I need to learn how to protect myself.”
He cupped my cheeks and frowned.
“I can protect you,” he mumbled and I resisted the urge to roll my eyes.
He could sometimes be so stubborn.
“I know you can,” I said as I caressed his muscular back. “And you are doing it so well. But you know I need to learn, Dimitri. I am safe with them.”
He tightened his jaw and gulped.
“And we can shower together after,” I said, smirking a little. “I will need some help taking my clothes off.”
Dimitri groaned and bent down to kiss me softly.
“Fine,” he mumbled against my lips. “But we are definitely showering together after.”
I smiled and nodded.
“And you will mind-link me immediately if something happens,” he said sternly. “Do you understand me? Immediately.”
I gave him another nod and he placed another kiss on my lips.
