Alpha Nocturne"s Contracted Mate

Alpha Nocturne’s Contracted Mate by A E Randell

Chapter 204 Welcome Back

Bartholomew waited patiently at the front steps for the car to arrive that contained the

latest visitors to the Enclave, with two omega’s waiting patiently behind him with their

heads lowered respectfully and their hands clasped together in front of them.

The cool air wrapped itself around his robes he inhaled deeply and savored the fresh,

chill air that flooded his lungs. As much as he loved the Enclave, he had to admit that

he missed being outside as much as he used to.

His duties at the Enclave kept him busy enough and forays into the outside world

were few and far between. The most that he could manage nowadays tended to be a

walk around the gated gardens or one of the many secret courtyards and private

arboretums that were hidden away in the maze of tunnels and corridors.

Quite frankly Ann’s ascension to the throne had changed a lot of things within the

Enclave and Bartholomew was one of the few that welcomed it with open arms,

having always had a propensity for adventure and drastic change. The same could

not be said for some of his colleagues, but what choice did they have otherwise?

There were no viable replacements for Ann if the Elders decided to try and forcibly

usurp her from her rightful place on the throne, but that didn’t mean that they were idle

in the background.

Bartholomew had already gotten wind of whispers of rebellion amongst people that he

about a

that he had thought

mission.

all he could do was ensure that he appeared

voiced their dissent, whilst secretly supporting Ann

the people that could keep her safe

wife had

at the border was fortuitous indeed, and her

chamber, as well as Linus’s indiscretions, had sent a strong message

a weak ruler like her father. Bartholomew

as he remembered the timid child that

to the Enclave, and clung to her mother as

surrounded by unfamiliar

to glaze over with sadness as he stared down

she had blossomed into would have made her mother proud

was determined not to fail Ann, as they had all failed

gravel crunching under the tires of an approaching

pulling himself together and with a few deep breaths, he

he was

he was alone.

opened and Allen emerged he nodded politely and watched

between Lexi and

helped her out of the

between the two produced the faintest of smiles at

that Lexi had made a choice when

it remained to

watch with

developed.

was the only friend of Ann’s that he knew of, and he

that she would be instrumental in the forming of this new

her input

third figure emerged from the back of the car, Allen’s heart seemed to

his mouth, and his breath caught in his chest as he locked eyes with the

male figure that now stood

appear to have aged a single day from the