Alpha Nocturne"s Contracted Mate

Alpha Nocturne’s Contracted Mate By A E Randell Chapter 163

Alpha Nocturne’s Contracted Mate by A E Randell

Chapter 163 The Daemon War

“Times were very different back then and I had been dumped on the doorstep of the

Moon Goddess’s Sanctuary that used to stand at the midpoint of our Kingdom.” He

continued with the slightest hint of regret as he sighed again, a little more softly this

time.

“I try not to dwell on it too much as I know it was done in an effort to give me a better

life than a clan less Vampire and a rogue shifter could give me back then. Now, of

course, things are very much different. You can settle anywhere in the kingdom as

long as you register with the authorities, perhaps even join a community if they are

willing, although being independent is certainly something to be admired…”

Bartholomew rambled a little before stopping and grimacing apologetically. “Ah, I’m

sorry, I appear to have wandered off on a tangent. It happens sometimes.”

Title of the document

“It’s okay. But, Bartholomew, wasn’t the Sanctuary destroyed during the war though?”

Ann frowned.

So much of their history and monuments had been destroyed in that dark period of the

war between the Daemon Lords and their realm. Despite the efforts of so many good

people, parts of the land were still so badly tainted by the darkness that they had been

sealed and were guarded closely to ensure that no one wandered into them by

mistake.

“It was indeed.” Bartholomew nodded slowly at Ann.

“Then, you lived through the Daemon War?” Lexi asked curiously.

“I did indeed. I was evacuated with the other children and the priestesses when the

attacks first began. They knew the Sanctuary would be a main target and they wanted

to ensure that we survived. The Alpha King at the time, welcomed us and gave us

sanctuary, providing apprenticeships to the thousands of children that had suddenly

descended upon the city. I was placed as an a*s*sistant to an Elder in the lower ranks

of the Royal Enclave at the time, he taught me a lot. As he ascended the ranks, I too

followed behind him.” Bartholomew said sadly, as his eyes clouded with nostalgia

“Even with your heritage though, didn’t you face prejudice here in the Enclave at that

time? Wasn’t it hard?” Lexi asked, clearly struggling to wrap her head around

everything he had divulged as he nodded sagely.

“There was indeed a lot of prejudice from certain individuals and I fought hard to prove

that I was not what they painted me to be. But you have to remember Lexi, you cannot

judge one person for the crimes of their races, nor for the opinions of their ancestors.

It is far better to judge each individual on their own personalities and their own deeds

rather than reach false conclusions based on a small percentage of individuals. Do

you understand?”

Lexi nodded slowly, but the smallest hint of doubt still flickered in her eyes although

the fury and distrust that had flickered there previously had all but disappeared.

“This doesn’t mean that I won’t be guarded though,” Lexi grumbled quickly as

Bartholomew chuckled.

“That’s fair, but I hope that you won’t be permanently on the offensive with us. At least

give us a chance first, hmm?”

Lexi nodded again quietly and settled back in the chair with a thoughtful expression.

“Can you tell me anything else about my mother?” Lexi asked as Ann smiled softly to

herself and listened to Bartholomew regale her with anecdotes and tales of her

mother’s heroism and bravery during the Daemon Wars.

It was nice to see her friend so relaxed and animated for a change, with a rare

expression of childlike joy on her face as she listened intently.

Identifying the creatures could wait for just a little while. This would do far more to win

Lexi’s trust and cooperation than any hollow words and empty promises ever could.

Lexi sighed heavily, a sound that radiated contentment, as if her soul had been

relieved of some burden somehow, and grinned widely.

“Wow. Thank you, Bartholomew. Honestly. I had no idea that she had lived such a

long and adventurous life.”

Bartholomew chuckled good-naturedly.

“It’s a pleasure to be able to recount these tales quite honestly. She certainly was a

spitfire, a lot like yourself actually, and as much as it pains me, I do believe we have

some very pressing matters to attend to.” He answered with a look full of meaning

directed towards Ann.

“Ah, yes. Are you escorting us to where they’re held?” Ann asked as Bartholomew

stood, smoothing down his robes absentmindedly as he did so.

“Yes, I was going to request that Commander Greyson meet us here, however, I

wanted to meet with Lexi first and clear up any misunderstandings that she may have

about working alongside us at the Enclave.”

Lexi snorted.

“I’m pleased you were at least a little prepared for my initial misgivings anyway. Am I Copyright by Nôv/elDrama.Org.

really that obvious?”

“My dear, you are about as subtle as a brick. I hope I’ve managed to clear up any

doubts you had. At least for now.” Bartholomew chuckled.

Lexi shrugged nonchalantly and grinned, an amused twinkle in her eye.

“Well, you’re all right. I’ll give you that.” She sniffed, “Seeing as how you were

respectful from the start with me, despite my brashness, I’ll listen to your advice and

try my best to reserve judgment on people until I have interacted with them enough to

form my own opinion.”

Ann suppressed the grin that threatened to break out on her face. As much as she

wanted to high-five Bartholomew for his genius in dampening her best friend’s quickto-flare temper, she didn’t. Instead, she smiled demurely and gestured towards the

door.

“Shall we make our way down then?” She said as casually as she could as Lexi

narrowed her eyes suspiciously at her.

Bartholomew led the way and as Lexi passed Ann on the way out of his study, she

paused and smiled slightly. “I know I’m a little difficult sometimes Ann, but thank you.”

Lexi smiled.

“Huh? For what?” Ann asked, genuinely confused.

“For allowing those conversations to play out instead of stopping either one of us from

speaking our mind.” She said softly with a thoughtful expression on her face.

“I didn’t actually think the old geezer would have anything to say that could possibly

change my mind. I knew he would try, of course. I mean, he’s one of them, isn’t he?

So, I kind of expected it. But… you know, this was nice. I actually quite like the old

geezer.” She grinned as she turned and left, leaving Ann shaking her head in disbelief

as she followed them out of the office and shut the door behind her.