A Queen Returns

Chapter9

My eyes fluttered open as sunlight streamed through the window. I had no idea how long I’d been asleep, but Dimitri was nowhere in sight. Panic crept up my spine, my breathing quickening—

Then the door opened.

Dimitri walked in carrying a tray piled high with food. I tried to calm myself, but my nerves weren’t cooperating. He set the tray on the table beside the bed and sat next to me.

“Vic, take a deep breath in… and let it out slowly. Just breathe. I didn’t leave you — I just went to get you some food.”

I followed his instructions, and my heart finally began to settle.

“I’m sorry,” I whispered. “I don’t mean to be such a burden.”

He gently lifted my chin so I’d look at him. “Victoria, you are never a burden. You have every right to feel overwhelmed.”

He pulled the tray onto my lap. “Eat something. Your things are being moved into your room. Once you’re done, I’ll take you there so you can shower and change. Then we’ll talk.”

When he left, I finally looked at the tray. Eggs, bacon, toast, orange juice, fresh fruit — he’d brought enough for two people. My stomach growled loudly, reminding me how empty it was.

I didn’t hesitate. I devoured everything, barely stopping to breathe. Normally, eggs and toast would fill me up, but I cleared the entire tray without thinking.

I had just finished the orange juice when Dimitri walked back in.

“Well, someone was hungry,” he teased.

My face heated instantly, and I looked away. He laughed softly.

“Victoria, it’s okay. I was just teasing. Ready to see your room?”

I nodded. He opened the door, and I stepped out, waiting for him to lead the way.

We stopped at a set of double doors carved with intricate designs. He gestured for me to open them.

I pushed the doors open — and my jaw dropped. The room was enormous, easily twice the size of my old one, with a massive king‑size bed in the center.

“I can’t accept this,” I said. “It’s way too big.”

He smiled gently. “Vic, you deserve this. After everything you’ve been through, let me give you something good.”

I stared at the floor, unsure what to say. He nudged me forward, and I stepped inside. My boxes were stacked neatly in the corner.

“Please tell me you didn’t put my clothes away.”

Dimitri laughed. “No. The women in the house handled that. I figured you wouldn’t want me going through your personal things.”

Relief washed over me. The last thing I needed was him seeing my underwear.

“Thank you, Dimitri. I don’t even know what to say. This is… a lot.”

He nodded. “I know it is, Victoria. But after everything you’ve endured, I want you to feel safe and settled here.”

I looked down again, cheeks warming. I could feel his eyes on me, so I glanced up — and he smiled softly.

“Would you like to see my mom? She’s missed you.”

My head snapped up. “Yes. Absolutely.”

He laughed. “Come on. She’s in her office.”

I followed him downstairs and through a long hallway until we reached a door. He lifted his hand to knock, but a voice called out:

“Dimitri, just come in. I know you’re there.”

I laughed quietly as he opened the door. I stepped inside behind him, staring at my hands. Dimitri moved aside, and when I looked up, his mother was smiling at me like I’d just made her whole week.

“Victoria! You’ve grown so much since the last time I saw you. Come here and give me a hug.”

I walked into her arms, and she wrapped me in the warmest embrace. I relaxed instantly — but it also made me miss my own mother so much it hurt.

She must’ve sensed it, because she pulled back and looked me over gently.

“Vic, I’m so sorry about your parents. You should have never gone through that.”

I stared at the floor, unable to speak.

“Dimitri,” she said softly, “call your sister in here. I don’t think Vic has met her yet.”

He shook his head and quickly sent a message.

“Vic,” his mother continued, “once my daughter gets here, she’ll show you around the mansion while Dimitri and I catch up. She’ll bring you to the kitchen for lunch in a few hours. Does that sound okay?”

I nodded.

A knock sounded, and in walked the most beautiful girl I’d ever seen. She was a little taller than me, with bright orange eyes and long black hair. Her figure was flawless.

She looked at Dimitri, then at me — and her face lit up. She ran over and hugged me tightly.

“Aphrodite, release her,” her mother scolded lightly. “You haven’t even introduced yourself. Try not to scare her.”

Aphrodite let go immediately. “Sorry! I didn’t even think. Dimitri’s told me so much about you that you already felt like family.”

She held out her hand. “Hi! I’m Aphrodite. Dimitri’s younger sister. I’m eighteen.”

I shook her hand, and she pulled me closer. “Ready for your epic tour of the house while these two talk pride business?”

I opened my mouth to respond, but Dimitri shot her a look that made me freeze. Aphrodite stiffened beside me — clearly realizing she’d said something she shouldn’t have.

I didn’t ask. I just let her lead me out of the office.

Absolutely, Kira — here is a fully polished, tightened, non‑repetitive, emotionally sharp, and continuity‑clean version of Dimitri’s POV.

I could have killed my sister. I told her she couldn’t bring up any of that while Victoria was here. She has no idea who — or what — she truly is. My mother and I only pieced it together after the attack, and even then, we barely have enough information to confirm anything. All we can do is keep her safe until we know more.

I looked back at my mother, and she was giving me that look — the one that said she was about to lecture me.

“Dimitri, you need to be easier on your sister. She was excited to see the woman who’s supposed to be your mate.”

I exhaled slowly. “Yeah, Mother, I know. But Victoria doesn’t know what she is or who she is right now. We only know her identity — nothing else. If we tell her anything before we’re certain, we risk her safety. I can’t take that chance.”

My mother sat on the couch and patted the cushion beside her. I reluctantly sat.

“Dimitri,” she said gently, “you can’t keep this from her forever. If she discovers the truth on her own, she’ll be angrier with you than if you told her now and helped her understand.”

Heat flared in my chest. “Did you not hear me? She can’t find out yet. Don’t make me use the King’s command on you, Mother. I don’t want to — but I will if it keeps my mate safe a little longer. I can’t lose her.”

She stared at me, stunned. I’d never raised my voice at her — especially not about pride matters.

“Dimitri,” she said quietly, “if she is who we think she is, you know damn well you won’t be her only mate. She’ll have one from the wolves too — to unite us instead of keeping our species at war. So you need to decide what you want from her… and who you want her to hear the truth from. Because if it isn’t you, she’ll be devastated.”

She stood and left the office.

I knew she was right. If our suspicions were correct, then the prophecy was real — and Victoria was at the center of it. But none of that mattered if she wasn’t safe.

And I would burn the world down before I let anything happen to her.