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

had expected to be unhappy about a female holding such

unsettlingly, even from some that he had thought would support Ann and

mission.

now, all he could do was ensure that he appeared

their dissent, whilst secretly supporting Ann and her consort to

with the people that could keep her safe

and his wife had arrived now to

at the border was fortuitous indeed, and

Linus’s indiscretions, had sent a strong message to those

ruler like her father. Bartholomew

himself as he remembered the timid child that had

the Enclave, and clung to her mother as if

surrounded by unfamiliar

His eyes seemed to glaze over with sadness as he stared down the driveway.

that she had blossomed into would have made her

to fail Ann, as they had all failed her

The familiar sound of gravel crunching under

and with a few deep

him, where he was sure it would only

he was alone.

the door opened and Allen emerged

and himself as he offered

and helped her out

that passed between the two produced the faintest of smiles

mouth. It would appear that Lexi had made a choice when

it remained to be

and Bartholomew would watch with

developed.

was the only friend of Ann’s that

instrumental in the forming of

desired her input or

As the third figure emerged from the back of the car,

and his breath caught in his chest as he locked eyes with

figure that

not appear to have aged a single day from the last time