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

to be unhappy about a female holding such a high position

that he had thought would support

mission.

ensure that he appeared

dissent, whilst secretly supporting Ann and her consort to surround

people that could keep her safe and

wife had arrived now to discuss the

at the border was fortuitous indeed, and her handling

indiscretions, had sent a strong message to

she would be a weak ruler like her father. Bartholomew

he remembered the timid child that had hidden behind Leopold on

to the Enclave, and clung to her mother as if her life depended on it

by

glaze over with sadness as he stared

strong woman that she had blossomed into would have made her mother

determined not to fail Ann, as they

gravel crunching under the

him into pulling himself together and with a few

where he was

he was alone.

the door opened and Allen emerged he

between Lexi and himself as he offered

helped her out of the

passed between the two produced the faintest

Lexi had made

it remained to be seen what would happen with

with interest as this

developed.

only friend of Ann’s that he knew

that she would be instrumental in the forming

desired her input

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

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

that

to have aged a single day from the last