Alpha Nocturne"s Contracted Mate

CHAPTER 38 The Traditional Gift-giving

“Please, everyone, if you would like to move through to the banqueting hall, we’ll continue there,” Narcissa announced to the remaining people in the ballroom. “We have another announcement to make and the traditional gift-giving between the Alpha King and his daughter.”

A*n rolled her eyes as Lexi linked her arm through hers and forcibly coerced her through the small entryway and into the banquet hall.

The Royal family sat at the head table as the banquet was well underway.

Before long, Narcissa stood and called everyone’s attention.

“I’d like to propose a toast before the gift-giving.” She said graciously as she raised her glass and the rest of the room hastened to follow.

“Here’s to the long and happy marriage of Ada and Brad, and the long and healthy lives of their pups. The marriage signifies the strengthening of our kind and brings us together in an alliance not only of diplomacy but also of blood… please, drink to the happy couple.” Narcissa beamed as she gulped the liquid in her glass.

Ada elbowed Brad in his side and whispered furiously as he reluctantly did the same. A*n also gulped her drink, but she refused to raise her glass.

She hoped they both got what they deserve and that an innocent child wasn’t pulled into this madness.

“Now I’ll hand you over to my husband for the traditional gift-giving.” Narcissa trilled and inclined her head towards the Alpha King.

He stood slowly, almost unwillingly as he cast a guilty glance toward A*n before swinging his gaze to look apprehensively at Ada, Narcissa, and Brad.

handed to him by one of the s*rvants and

but when A*n realized what exactly was being

a mask of joy as the jewelry set was unveiled and she flicked a look filled

“Oh, father! These are beautiful, thank you so much! You

gifted were from A*n’s maternal grandmother and the sight of them around her neck and in her hands ignited a fury in A*n that she hadn’t known she

“Take them off.” A*n snapped angrily as a deathly silence filled

face with a mask

you like them?” The

balance

those unfamiliar with her duplicitous nature, it sounded as if she were merely

her words were laced with

A*n loved those heirlooms… they were meant for her when she

she stood, wearing the jewelry that her grandmother and mother had worn… the only real memories she had left from either of them, and Ada knew

you one chance to take them off, Ada. Those aren’t yours and you know it…” A*n

don’t do this here. Not in front of all these people.” The Alpha King intervened lowly, the guilt clear in

Those are MY heirlooms from MY mother! The woman you rejected for this w*ore and your b*stard child!” A*n roared

It was strange… Maeve wasn’t speaking, but insisting on

with anticipation as she wrapped her arms around her stomach protectively and transformed her face into a mask of

why are you so angry?” Ada pleaded in a pitiful voice, the emotion in her voice at odds with