Alpha Nocurne's Contracted Mate

Ann was woken up by a gentle tapping on the door and as she opened her eyes, the same wave of exhaustion that had swept over her earlier, still seemed to sit above her tauntingly.

“Your highness? Are you awake?” Coral’s voice drifted through the doors.

“No. I feel like we got hit by a f*****g truck.” Maeve grumbled as she yawned and closed her eyes again.

“Yes, come in Coral.” Ann said, ignoring Maeve’s grouchy attitude, and sitting up and smiling gently at Coral’s nervous looking expression as she entered the room with a tray of food.

“Sorry,” she shrugged apologetically, “As much as you clearly hate being mothered, I watched my sister go through a pregnancy with multiples. If it wasn’t for the food that we sneaked her during the pregnancy, she would have spent her entire pregnancy in the hospital.”

Ann chuckled softly as she gestured for Coral to sit and watched helplessly as she pulled the overbed table out and placed the tray on it, before pulling a chair to sit alongside her. “I didn’t know you had a sister, Coral.” Ann said as she reached for the smoothie and eyed it suspiciously.

“Don’t worry, your Grace. I made it myself.” Coral grinned knowingly as Ann’s shoulders sagged in relief.

“It’s like you read my mind.” she smiled ironically as she sipped at the smoothie and sat back a little, “So tell me, your sister?”

“Ah! Yes. Well, I was only young when she was still here. She found her mate and didn’t report it, or the marking …or the pregnancy. Linus was furious when he found out.” Coral explained as she lowered her eyes, but Ann didn’t miss the pain that swam just below the surface.

“You have no idea how much you did for us all when you made him answer for his crimes.” she said with a smile, “We hid her for as long as we could. Just long enough for her mate to gather enough supplies and get her out of this place.”

“So she’s still alive?” Ann asked gently. Coral nodded and smiled softly.

to get out of the kingdom, the guard she was mated to adores her, and the kids. Sometimes, we get updates on them all and their little family,” she laughed suddenly, “I say family, but honestly, with twelve pups now,

take time off to go and see her, you can.” Ann smiled as she reached for a croissant. “What?” Coral exclaimed in disbelief as she stared at her

get holidays as well Coral. Everyone does. This isn’t a twenty four hours a day, seven days a week job. Sure, you’re my personal assistant but you’ll still be

and folded her hands across her little bump as she fixed Coral with a severe

Coral. You deserve to be treated well, like everyone else. The sooner you accept this, the easier time you’ll have with your conscience. Were you not listening to the council meeting at

in

just…it’s

worked with Eva until she found her own confidence and we

me?!” Coral gasped, “But she’s

Ann finished with a chuckle, “Yes. She is now, but in the beginning, she was a lot like

to her bedroom burst open and Adam burst in holding a phone in his hand and a triumphant

did it!” He announced excitedly, “The restored communications and they

excitedly as she moved the table out of the way and slid off the bed, approaching where Adam stood and listening

Adam said as he hung up and fixed Ann

way back with a little girl requiring urgent care…”

specific they should be ready for?” she asked as she picked her bag up and slung it

managed to free her but…her mother didn’t make it. There’ll be a lot to deal with when she

anything.” Coral