Alpha Nocurne's Contracted Mate

Alpha Nocturne’s Contracted Mate by A E Randell

Chapter 222 You are Wrong

The murmurs in the council chamber had faded to an almost deafening silence as Ann and Lexi made their way to their allotted seats at the front of the room.

Although the Elders wouldn’t have noticed, as Ann took her seat, she picked up the minute details in Lexi’s body language that showed just how uncomfortable she was in this position, but she hid it well.

To the casual observer, she would still appear as the fiery and opinionated half-Daemon that people had heard so many whispers about lately.

“Thank you all for coming.” Ann’s voice cut across the chamber, echoing loudly above their heads. “It’s not as if we had much choice, your grace. If you could give us a little more notice…”

“Oh, it’s notice you want?” Ann smiled serenely although her eyes flashed with a dangerous light as Maeve simmered below the surface, “Perhaps if you had cleared the Rogues at the first instance then meetings wouldn’t have to be called so abruptly.”

The rustle of cloaks could be heard and awkward muttered apologies as they cleared their throats and waited for

Ann to continue.

“It brings me no delight in pulling you all up on your shortcomings whilst you managed the kingdom under my father’s rule, but it cannot be glossed over that the issues we face now are largely due to your incompetence. My father, as terrible as his reign was, was one man, there are close to a hundred of you Elders and you cannot tell me that not one of you could act to intervene.” Ann continued levelly as she cast her eyes over those gathered before her.

“As a result, we are currently facing attacks on two fronts..”

Grace, and we have

Lexi snorted, her voice cold, “Because the attacks are

where we suffered significant casualties. There

wrapped in was all a dream as she unwrapped it over breakfast. Better yet… perhaps the inhabitants of Elwood are not in danger at all and are merely playing a game of hide and seek.” Ann

we weren’t aware of…” He stuttered helplessly as he looked to his peers for support but found none as

lot that you aren’t aware of. If this has escaped your notice then perhaps the second attack within our own borders has also failed to register on your radar of interest?”

A female voice rose

this occur? Have we responded, your grace?” A male voice rose

was those that had never truly been sat at the helm of the kingdom and had acted as they were supposed to in their positions, instead of seizing what little power they could for

not only be decided by the

out. There was no quick fix available to her at the present

to a containment facility. They called for backup and notified us that the village was in trouble, fully anticipating an attack on their location at any time. Since they first radioed in, we have heard nothing, and have been unable to reach anyone there either.” Ann explained

in the chamber rose higher until Lexi grew tired of the incessant ringing of their voices and shouted above them all

smile, Lexi sat back, her eyes falling on those

has already been sent to the containment facility and we have two teams being assembled as we speak to attend both sites. One will provide what backup they can and to the team already dispatched and the other will head in the opposite direction to the border and clear out the

would have been able to arrange this sooner if the numbers of our men hadn’t been cut so drastically.” Lexi seethed, “As it stands, we are pulling resources from Dark Moon and a few other allied packs in order to make the numbers up

amongst the elders, and as one, people visibly stiffened, terrified that they would be accused of the

concerning the