Chapter 32:

As days were passing by, Dmitry kept to his word and worked hard for my forgiveness, he was constantly with me. A different side of him shun through his rough exterior, showing me the softer side of him. He ate with me every day, breakfast to lunch and had cancelled most of his meetings. He only went to the utter important ones.

We were slowly getting to know each other and the atmosphere around us started to become more comfortable. He no longer hesitated to touch me, always grabbing my hand to hold or holding me in his arms, cuddling, as we watch movies.

My mood has changed significantly over the course of a few days and everyone has noticed. I have gone from a lonely and sad Hope to a giggling messy Hope, Talia commenting every time that I radiated happiness.

Dmitry was currently at one of those important meetings he still had with the council, while he was gone I painted the mountains that stood proud outside my window. I haven't met most of the council members, but I already knew that most of them disliked me. Dmitry mentioned that he wanted to formally introduce me to them all, before my big introduction as his mate for the whole kingdom.

My paintbrush faded the blue and grey into big cumulus clouds that were forming in the back of the mountains when I felt strong arms surround me. I haven't heard him come into the room but had no doubt that it was Dmitry. He still had that deep woodsy smell to him and every time he touched me sparks would ignite in thousands.

Dmitry brushed his nose against the side of my neck, slowly dragging it up to my jaw as his hands rolled over my uncovered arms. Goosebumps rolled off my body in waves, my body falling slightly limb against Dmitry's, the paintbrush falling with a thud to the ground.

"It is beautiful." His voice spoke hoarsely from my neck, his warm breath fanning over the curve.

"Thank you," I breathlessly replied to his compliment, "Are you done with your meeting?" I asked but only got a hum from Dmitry. Dmitry did not say anything, only rubbed his hands up and down my arms as his nails scratch softly against my sensitive skin.

"It is almost lunchtime, we should probably go... go down?" I asked, but stuttered as Dmitry kissed the crook of my neck, nibbling softly on a specific spot that made my knees buckle. Dmitry's hands kept me upright as the tightened around me. It was the most affectionate we have come to be, he has not kissed me so bluntly, he always kept it very light with only innocent touches here and there.

I was not complaining though, I was loving every minute of his kisses on my neck, only wished that they were rather on my lips. I was nervous about it, I have only kissed one boy before and that was a bust. I was still very innocent when it came to sexual stuff, some movie scenes making me uncomfortable, but at the same time, I craved Dmitry to touch me more. My thoughts scared me a bit, as I have never bluntly felt so needy for a man.

Dmitry stopped when he noticed that I could no longer stand properly and hummed once again. Turning me around to face him as we touched foreheads, "Let's get going before I lose all self-control." He hummed out, which I only replied with a shake of my head, my voice gone.

Walking down to the dining hall hand-in-hand, Dmitry started to talk again in his normal bass voice, "I want you to meet a few important council members today at lunch if that is fine?"

"Sure, you mentioned it before and I would love to meet new people." Smiling up at him, I noticed him copying my expression. He has been smiling more often when he was around me, making me happier.

Reaching the dining hall, I noted that it was fuller than usually with people I haven't met yet. Dmitry took me around and introduced me to some of them.

"This is Palmer and Sofia, previous Alpha and Luna from a pack in Finland. They are now a part of my council here in Russia as ambassadors for Finland." The two of them bowed a little and greeted me. They were both in their early sixties but had lovely personalities. Sofia was much quieter than her mate, but they treated me with respect and openness unlike some of the Elders.

"Does every country or pack have an ambassador?"

"Oh no, only the countries that have packs within them would have a representative, so for example, Mexico has no pack, therefore, no ambassador," Palmer explained to me, his mate only nodding and further sipping on her glass of juice.

"Ambassadors are there to help me with the communication of a country that has a pack or more than one. It is hard for me to get to every pack, so my ambassadors are my eyes and ears there, they communicate what is going on in the country and of packs. They are people I trust dearly, like Palmer and Sofia." Dmitry added. Slowly Dmitry was explaining how his ruling worked and what role everyone had on the council.

We moved from person to person as Dmitry introduced me to more people, a few ambassadors and other just council members that helped with decision makings.

"Eric," Dmitry greeted a younger-looking man in his early thirties. Not all of the council members were above fifty, some were younger like Eric. "I'd like you to meet Hope."

"Ah, the famous Hope. I have heard much about you." He spoke with a flirtatious tone, kissing my hand as a greeting with a smirk. Dmitry placed his hand on the small of my back as a way of showing possessiveness. Eric only shrugged Dmitry's demeanour away and continued with his flirtatious behaviour. I disliked the way he looked at me, his stare on me creeping me out and sending chills down my spine.

Noticing my discomfort, Dmitry announced lunch and everyone sat around the table. Dmitry sat at the head of the table like usually with me on his right. Eric sat at Dmitry's left as Alek was out somewhere.

Lunch was served and everyone began to chat around the table, Sofia sat next to me and ate her lunch while observing everyone around the table. Dmitry was in a deep discussion with Eric and another member of the council, not even touching his lunch.

"You enjoying your lunch, Sofia?" I tried to small talk with Sofia as her husband laughed with some of the other members.

"Very much, my Lady. The castle always serves top-notch cuisines." She had a strong accent and struggled to speak English, maybe the reason why she hardly spoke.

"Please call me Hope. I am not royalty." Smiling shyly up at me, she nodded her head. "So how long are you staying here...?" before I could finish my sentence, a foot touched mine which caused me to jump in surprise. Dmitry immediately gazed my way in worry.

"Are you alright?"

"Yes, just a leg cramp." I lied, clearly, it was not Dmitry who tapped my foot with his, but a sly smile across from me gave me a good idea of who it was. Reassuring Dmitry that I was fine one last time, we ate further.

"Be careful of him, I find his behaviour suspicious." Looking confused at Sofia, she nodded her head at Eric. "Leg cramps are bad, but if they get worst you must speak up." She spoke up with a smile, her true meaning hidden in code in her eyes. Her message was clear, she was warning me against Eric.

"I shall if they get worst, but they are gone now." I reassured her, glad to have her on my side, "We should go for some tea tomorrow?" I asked, wanting to get to know her more.

"I would love that, Hope."

Lunch passed without any more 'leg cramps' and I was glad for that. I and Dmitry greeted everyone after all was finished and left to retreat back to my room.

"I want to paint you, may I?" I asked as we climbed the stairs to my room. Dmitry's face lightened up with a bright smile, his sharp features lighting up in happiness.

"My dear, I would love for you to paint me." Giggling at his response, I sped up to my room, dragging him behind me. Laughing at my antics, we make it to my room in no time. The painting nook I made for myself was in disarray, my paints and brushes laying everywhere.

"So, where do you want me?" he asked me with a smile, huffing in response I gazed around the room for I nice place to paint him. In front of the mountains would be nice, but I have painted them already. Gazing at my previous paintings, one, in particular, caught my eyes.

"I have an idea, but I don't know if you'd like it." Dmitry raised his eyebrow in curiosity, "I found this beautiful place, but to get there we would have to take the hidden passageways." Preparing myself for rejection, I am happily surprised with him agreeing.

"Okay, you can show me this place, but promise me you'll never roam them alone." Dmitry came closer to me, embracing my face in his enormous hands.

"Okay." I breathed out in a trance, Dmitry broke the trance when he retreated, gulping hardly he asked me what I wanted to take with. Grabbing a bag, I began to throw in several of coloured paint and brushes. Lastly, I grabbed my pencil case and a canvas.

Nodding my head to Dmitry, I led Dmitry to the study in the wing. With a smile on Dmitry's face, he opened it up for me and watched me closely as made a bee-line to the statue to open the hidden door. Standing up on my tippy toes, I tried to reach for the statue. It irritated me that it had to be so high up, suddenly I heard Dmitry's deep laughter behind me before his body surrounded mine and he pulled the statue for me. Glaring up at him for watching me suffer, I suddenly realised the close proximity our bodies was in. Blushing, I misplaced my eyes to the hidden door that open and cleared my throat. The sound that left my throat got Dmitry out of is trance and led him to step away from.

Softly taking my hand, Dmitry walked before me into the hallway, his stance protective as he looked into the empty hallways. Giving me a torch, Dmitry lighted his own.

"When did you get a flashlight?" I asked in surprise, I haven't even thought of it, assuming that I'll have my little fire friend with me, but it seemed that it was no longer there.

"Got them from within the desk, when you tried to reach the statue, it was really cute how you tried." He shrugged with a smirk.

"You are mean." I laughed at him but grabbed his hand into mine boldly. Feeling as his hand engulfed my little one, I take it a reassurance to continue. We walked down the different passageways until I saw the bit of light flickering down one of them. Upping my pace, I dragged Dmitry behind me. 

Words:  1912

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Elizabeth_Helena