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

be unhappy about a female holding such a

that he had thought would

mission.

ensure that he appeared

secretly supporting

the people that could keep her safe and strengthen

and his wife had arrived now to discuss the issue of

at the border was fortuitous indeed, and

well as Linus’s indiscretions, had sent

be a weak ruler like her father. Bartholomew

himself as he remembered the timid child that had hidden behind Leopold on

and clung to her mother as if her life depended on it

surrounded by unfamiliar

seemed to glaze over with sadness as he stared down

woman that she had blossomed into would have

determined not to fail Ann, as they had all

gravel crunching under the tires of an

himself together and with a

where he was sure it would only emerge once more

he was alone.

door opened and Allen emerged

significantly friendlier interaction between Lexi and himself as he offered his hand

helped her out of

two produced the faintest of smiles at the

Bartholomew’s mouth. It would appear that Lexi had

Although it remained to

would watch with interest as this seemingly

developed.

friend of Ann’s that he

that she would be instrumental in the

Enclave desired her

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

breath caught in his

figure that now stood beside

not appear to have aged a single day from