Dimitriâs POV
I couldnât wait for the meeting to end.
Itâd been five hours since I last saw Maddie and I was losing my shit. She was so close, but so far away. The Alphas kept asking questions, wanting to talk about everything at once.
Not only was it impossible to cover everything in one meeting, but I also didnât fucking want to. I wanted to go back to my mate. I glanced at my watch and I had to hold back a groan. It was 3:20 a.m. Maddie was probably asleep already.
âWe need to strike back,â someone said. âWe canât let them continue attacking us.â
I couldnât focus enough to know who said it. I didnât really care anymore.
I kept thinking about Maddie. Her soft skin against mine. Her soft, wet lips. Her amazing scent. Her sweet moans. The way she would press herself against me as soon as I lay next to her. The way her skin tasted. The way herâ¦
âMy King,â someone called me, interrupting my thoughts.
I looked up and saw all the Alphas staring at me with questioning looks on their faces.
I cleared my throat and fixed my tie.
âI am sorry,â I said, giving them a small smile. âWhat was the question?â
âWe asked if we should continue this tomorrow,â Alpha Alistair said and I almost jumped out of my chair. âSome of us are a bit tired after the journey here.â
I had to bite my cheeks to stop myself from grinning. I would be with my princess in just a few short moments.
âOf course, Alpha Alistair,â I said. âWe will continue this tomorrow.â
âI heard you found our Queen,â Alpha Rhys said, making me look at him.
I wanted to growl at him. Everyone was just about to stand up and leave, but now they were all staring at me and smiling.
Fuck, Rhys.
I forced a small smile on my face.
âI did,â I said, feeling my nervousness growing. âYou will get a chance to meet her tomorrow at the opening ceremony.â
The Alphas nodded and smiled.
âI heard she is a true beauty, my King,â Alpha Lucius said.
Jealousy exploded inside me. I almost growled at him.
Dimitri. Will mind-linked me with a hint of warning in his tone.
I tightened my jaw and smiled wider, trying to hide the anger.
âShe is,â I said. âShe isnât only beautiful. She is also very kind. She will be an amazing Queen.â
Alpha Lucius nodded.
âI am looking forward to meeting her,â he said, making me clench my fists.
We are keeping her away from him tomorrow. I mind-linked Will.
He sighed quietly.
âI am very happy for you, my King,â Alpha Marcus said. âWhat is her name?â
I forced a little bit of air into my lungs. I kind of wished that I could keep her away from all of them. I wished they didnât know anything about her. I wished that she could be my little secret. She would be safest that way. No one could hurt her or take her away from me if no one knew she existed.
But it was impossible. She was a Queen. People would find out everything about her.
âMadeline,â I said, trying to mask my displeasure with a small smile.
âMadeline?â Jack asked, surprised. âMy Maddie?â
I flinched a little. She wasnât his Maddie. She was mine. Only mine.
âMine,â Skol growled quietly.
âYour Maddie?â Alpha Theodore asked, furrowing his brows at Alpha Jack.
âShe was a member of my pack,â Alpha Jack explained. âShe came here about nine months ago to live with her father.â
Alpha Jack smiled.
âIs it her?â he asked. âIs it the same Madeline?â
I nodded and smiled. I still couldnât talk. I was still pissed about him calling her his Maddie.
âMine,â Skol growled again.
âOh, what a joy!â Alpha Jack exclaimed. âI canât wait to see her tomorrow.â
Oh, I couldnât fucking wait to see her tonight. I needed the meeting to end. Right the fuck now.
I forced a smile on my face and I stood up.
âWell, I will see you all in the morning,â I said. âMy Beta will show you to your rooms.â
Will stood up and pointed at the door.
âPlease follow me,â he said and everyone started standing up.
I was going insane watching them. They were so fucking slow. I wanted them to hurry up and leave so I could run to Maddie.
My entire body was trembling by the time the last Alpha left the room. I breathed out in relief as I rushed through the other door and started running upstairs.
Ellie. I mind-linked her. I am coming back.
Okay. She responded immediately. Maddie fell asleep. You can let her sleep in my room for the night.
Fuck no. as if I would be able to sleep without her. As if I would be able to spend another minute without her.
No. I said sternly. I am coming to get her.
Okay. Ellie responded. Should I wake her up?
No. I said. Let her sleep.
I was only a few steps away from Ellieâs room. My hands were shaking and I could swear that I was sweating profusely. I needed Maddie so fucking much.
I opened the door and I almost sobbed in relief.
There she was.
âPrincess,â I mumbled as I practically threw myself toward her. âOh, my love.â
I finally reached her. I finally cupped her cheeks and pressed my lips against hers. My body relaxed immediately. It was like my entire body was in a knot ever since I left her.
Maddie sighed quietly and opened her eyes a little.
âShh, princess,â I whispered. âGo back to sleep.â
She smiled a little and I almost melted into a puddle. I picked her up into my arms and she pressed herself close to me.
âI missed you,â she mumbled sleepily.
âI missed you too,â I said as I pressed a kiss on her forehead. âSleep, my love.â
I looked at Ellie for the first time since I entered the room. She was smiling and shaking her head at me.
âItâs been five hours,â she said quietly.
I just rolled my eyes at her. I didnât have time to argue. I wanted to take Maddie back to our room and just feel her next to me.
âGood night, Ellie,â I said as I started walking out of her room.
âGood night,â she said, chuckling a little.
Maddie wrapped her arms around my neck and took a deep breath. I could feel her body relax and I smiled. I started kissing every part of her I could reach.
âI love you,â I told her as we finally entered our room.