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

about a

from some that he had

mission.

he could do was ensure that he appeared neutral

dissent, whilst secretly supporting Ann and her

that could keep

his wife had arrived now to discuss the issue of

at the border was fortuitous indeed, and her handling of Cornelius in

indiscretions, had sent a

ruler like

himself as he remembered the timid child that had hidden

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

by

to glaze over with sadness as he stared down the

into would have

determined not to fail Ann, as they

of gravel crunching under the tires of an approaching car

pulling himself together and with a few deep

him, where he was sure

he was alone.

opened and Allen emerged he nodded

significantly friendlier interaction between Lexi and himself as he offered

her

that passed between the two produced the faintest of smiles

that Lexi had made a choice when it

remained to be seen

with interest as

developed.

Lexi was the only friend of Ann’s that he knew

instrumental in the

her input or

back of the

mouth, and his breath caught in his chest as he

figure that now stood

to have aged a single day from the last time