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

a female holding such a

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

mission.

could do was ensure that he appeared neutral

whilst secretly supporting

could keep her safe and strengthen

wife had arrived

at the border was fortuitous indeed, and her handling

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

she would be a weak ruler like her father.

remembered the timid child

to the Enclave, and clung to her mother as if her life

surrounded by unfamiliar

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

woman that she had blossomed into would have made her

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

familiar sound of gravel crunching under the

pulling himself together and with a

sadness deep within him, where he was sure it would only emerge once

he was alone.

As the door opened and Allen emerged he nodded politely

between Lexi and

and helped her out of the

between the two produced the faintest of smiles at the edges

Lexi had made a choice when it

this male anyway. Although it remained to be seen what would happen with

with interest as this

developed.

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

the forming of

her input

from the back of the

breath caught in his chest as he

that now stood

aged a