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 female holding

he had thought would support Ann and

mission.

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

their dissent, whilst secretly supporting Ann and her consort to

keep her safe and strengthen her

wife had arrived now to discuss

the border was fortuitous indeed, and her handling of

indiscretions, had sent a strong message

thought she would be a weak ruler like her father. Bartholomew smiled

he remembered the timid child that had hidden behind

the Enclave, and clung to her

by

eyes seemed to glaze over with sadness as he

that she had blossomed into would have made her

fail Ann, as they had all failed

The familiar sound of gravel crunching under the tires of an

with a few deep breaths, he managed

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

he was alone.

the door opened and Allen emerged he

and himself as he offered

her and helped her

The look that passed between the two produced the faintest

Bartholomew’s mouth. It would appear that Lexi had made a choice when it

it remained to

Bartholomew would watch with interest as this

developed.

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

the forming of

desired her input

As the third figure emerged from the back of the car, Allen’s

in his chest as he locked eyes with the

male figure that now stood beside

have aged a single day