Dimitriâs POV
Loud cheering and clapping made me look back at the battlefield. The last fight of the night was almost over. Alpha Theodoreâs warrior was winning. I couldnât care less about the tournament. I kept looking around, trying to see if anyone was acting suspicious.
Kendrick, Landon, and Rayan were sitting close to us. Kendrick kept glancing at Maddie and the urge to gauge his eyes out only grew inside me. I couldnât wait to find evidence about him working with the traitors. I couldnât wait to have a reason to kill the fucker.
âHe is really good,â Maddie said quietly.
A wave of jealousy washed over me and Maddie chuckled.
Are you seriously jealous? She mind-linked me. As if I would ever want or need anyone else but you.
I glanced at her and saw her shaking her head at me.
I wasnât jealous until you mentioned how good he was. I mumbled through the mind-link.
Looking back, letting her watch half-naked men fight wasnât one of my best choices.
She took my hand in hers and squeezed it.
He isnât you. She said softly. All I want and all I need is you.
I lifted her hand and kissed her knuckles softly.
I know, princess. I said and looked at her.
My heart skipped a beat. I was sometimes stunned by the amount of love I felt for her. I still couldnât believe that the Goddess gave her to me. I sometimes still couldnât believe that I was lucky enough to stand beside her and call her mine.
âWe have a winner!â Landon exclaimed, making me look back at the battlefield.
Alpha Theodoreâs warrior won.
Maddie and I stood up and started applauding him. People around us cheered and clapped. Alpha Theodore approached his warrior and patted his back. I could see how proud he was.
Some of my warriors rushed to help Alpha Ezekielâs warrior who was lying on the ground and whining quietly.
âCongratulations!â Landon exclaimed, shaking the winnerâs hand. âIt was a well-deserved victory.â
Landon was smiling brightly and it annoyed me. I wanted to wipe that stupid smile off his face.
âThank you, Chancellor,â Alpha Theodoreâs warrior said, smiling a little.
He looked at Maddie and me and bowed.
âMy King and my Queen,â he said, lifting his head. âThank you for giving me a chance to participate in the tournament.â
âYou are welcome,â I said, smiling politely. âCongratulations on your victory. My Queen and I are looking forward to seeing you participate in the next challenge.â
The warrior smiled and bowed again. Alpha Theodore wrapped an arm around his shoulder and led him away. He never stopped smiling.
Maddie and I stood up and turned around. All of our guests were seated behind us.
âThank you for coming,â I said, smiling politely. âPlease enjoy the rest of your evening. Food and drinks will be served in the throne room. I am looking forward to seeing you there.â
I took Maddieâs hand in mine and started walking away before anyone could try to stop us. I didnât want anyone approaching her. I didnât want anyone close to her. I was wondering if I would be able to convince her to go to our room and wait for me there. She did her part and she really didnât need to stay for the party.
âMaddie, princess, I was wondering if you would be okay with going back to our room and waiting for me there?â I asked as I pulled her closer and wrapped an arm around her shoulders.
She looked up at me and furrowed her brows.
âWhy?â she asked. âWe still have a party to go to.â
I glanced at Will who was walking behind us. He raised an eyebrow at me.
âI want you to rest, princess,â I said softly. âI am worried this might be too much.â
Maddie shook her head. âI am fine. I can go.â
I tightened my jaw and kissed her temple.
âPlease, princess,â I said quietly.
âAli and I can keep you company until Dimitri returns,â Ellie said, making me look at her.
She and Ali were walking next to Will. She gave me a knowing look and smiled at Maddie.
âBut I am the Queen,â Maddie said, looking at me. âI should be there.â
âYou should be resting, Mads,â Will said softly.
âYes,â I nodded. âYou already went to that breakfast this morning. I am worried that all of this is too much. You had that fever yesterday.â
I kissed her forehead and rubbed her back gently.
âPlease, princess,â I said and she gave me a small nod.
âOkay,â she said. âBut I am only sitting this one out. I will be going to every event after this one.â
I smiled and nodded. âOf course, my princess.â
âMy King,â I heard Landonâs voice behind us and I had to stop myself from growling.
What the fuck did he want?
I stopped walking and turned around. I pulled Maddie closer to me and tightened my hold on her.
âLandon,â I said, trying to remain calm. âWhat can I help you with? Is there a problem with the tournament?â
Landon shook his head. âNo, my King. Everything is going perfectly.â
He looked at Maddie and smiled.
âYou look amazing tonight, my Queen,â he said, bowing his head to her.
I gritted my teeth and tried to stop myself from standing in front of her and shielding her with my body. I didnât want his eyes on her.
âThank you, Landon,â she said politely.
âCan I help you with something, Landon?â I asked, wanting to change the subject. âWe should really get going. We are expected at the party.â
âI know, my King,â Landon said. âI just wanted to stop you to ask about a meeting regarding the punishment of our former Luna. The council is worried, my King.â
I couldnât stop the quiet growl that escaped me.
âWe will have the meeting after the meeting is done, Landon,â I said, trying to get a hold of my anger. âI already told you that.â
He nodded. âYou did, my King. But the Alphas are talking amongst themselves. They noticed her absence, my King. We are worried about appearances and we have a proposal for you.â
I couldnât give a shit about appearances.
âI donât care about that,â I said, tightening my jaw. âI am more than happy to tell the Alphas what happened.â
Landonâs eyes widened.
âNo, my King!â he exclaimed, shaking his head. âYou have to think about the consequences of that action. I strongly advise you to keep it a secret.â
I forced myself to take a deep breath.
âThis is not the time or place to talk about this, Landon,â I said sternly. âWe will discuss this at a more appropriate time.â
We were in the middle of the forest and I could hear the rest of our guests approaching us.
Landon sighed and glanced behind his shoulder.
âYes, my King,â he said, but I could hear the disappointment in his voice. âCan we meet tomorrow morning?â
I really didnât want to. I didnât fucking care about their proposal. I couldnât even answer him.
âOf course, Landon,â Maddie said politely. âPlease excuse us. We really have to go.â
She took my hand in hers and we started walking away.
âGood job, Mads,â Will whispered.
âYou shouldnât have agreed,â I mumbled. âI donât give a fuck about their proposal.â
âI know,â Maddie sighed. âBut he wasnât going to give up, Dimitri.â
I knew that. I took another deep breath and pulled Maddie to me.
âThank you, princess,â I said, placing a soft kiss on her temple.
âItâs my job to support you,â she said, smiling at me. âI will always be here to do that.â
I leaned in and placed a soft kiss on her lips. She was right. She would always be here to support me. She would always be right by my side. No one could take her away from me.