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

expected to be unhappy about a female holding such

he had thought

mission.

For now, all he could do was ensure that he appeared neutral to

whilst secretly supporting Ann and her

people that could keep her safe and strengthen her

and his wife

indeed, and her handling of Cornelius in

indiscretions, had sent

be a weak ruler

he remembered the timid child that had hidden behind Leopold

and clung to her mother as if her life depended on

surrounded by unfamiliar

with sadness as he stared down

had blossomed into would have

not to fail Ann, as

crunching under the tires of an approaching

him into pulling himself together and with a few deep breaths,

him, where he was sure it

he was alone.

As the door opened and Allen emerged he nodded politely

interaction between Lexi and himself as he

her out of

that passed between the two produced the faintest of smiles at the edges

mouth. It would appear that Lexi had

remained to

would watch with

developed.

only friend of Ann’s that he knew

instrumental in the

her

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

in his chest

that now stood

not appear to have aged a single day from the