Alpha Nocturne"s Contracted Mate

Alpha Nocturne’s Contracted Mate By A E Randell Chapter 204

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

had expected to be unhappy about a female holding such a high position of power,

and unsettlingly, even from some that he had thought would support Ann and her

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

voiced their dissent, whilst secretly supporting Ann and her consort to surround herself

with the people that could keep her safe and strengthen her position.

The fact that Alpha Felix and his wife had arrived now to discuss the issue of rogues

at the border was fortuitous indeed, and her handling of Cornelius in the council

chamber, as well as Linus’s indiscretions, had sent a strong message to those who

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

himself as he remembered the timid child that had hidden behind Leopold on many a

visit to the Enclave, and clung to her mother as if her life depended on it when

surrounded by unfamiliar people.

His eyes seemed to glaze over with sadness as he stared down the driveway. The

strong woman that she had blossomed into would have made her mother proud and

Bartholomew was determined not to fail Ann, as they had all failed her mother.

The familiar sound of gravel crunching under the tires of an approaching car forced

him into pulling himself together and with a few deep breaths, he managed to push his

sadness deep within him, where he was sure it would only emerge once more when

he was alone.

As the door opened and Allen emerged he nodded politely and watched the

significantly friendlier interaction between Lexi and himself as he offered his hand to

her and helped her out of the car.

The look that passed between the two produced the faintest of smiles at the edges of

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

this male anyway. Although it remained to be seen what would happen with Greyson,

and Bartholomew would watch with interest as this seemingly complicated relationship

developed.

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

that she would be instrumental in the forming of this new kingdom, whether the

Enclave desired her input or not.

As the third figure emerged from the back of the car, Allen’s heart seemed to leap into

his mouth, and his breath caught in his chest as he locked eyes with the towering

male figure that now stood beside Lexi.

Lord Brarthroroz did not appear to have aged a single day from the last time that

Bartholomew had seen him when he was nothing more than a child.

It barely seemed possible.

It was known that daemons were subject to the laws of time, even if their natural

longevity meant that they aged slower, yet he still cut a magnificently imposing figure

that would surely command every female’s attention that had the pleasure, or

misfortune, of coming into contact with him. Nobody really knew the true age of the

Daemon Lord, but when Bartholomew had first seen him in passing, he was already

centuries old and commanded himself with the same demeanor as someone who had

seen much of life.

Bartholomew shook himself out of his musings and recovered his senses, grinning

warmly at the trio as they approached. “Welcome back to the Enclave. Your

conscientious sense of the urgency of this matter, and your speedy arrival, is most

appreciated.” Bartholomew welcomed with a bow.

“Nice to see you too Barty-boy!” Lexi answered jovially as she bounded up the steps

and pulled him into an almost bone-crushing hug. Lord Brarthroroz raised an

inquisitive eyebrow as Allen bit his tongue and forced himself not to chastise her for

her familiar behavior with an Elder of the Enclave.

Bartholomew seemed to know her well enough and the old man posed no threat to

their budding romance so Orvar’s concerns could be ignored. If Adam trusted this man

then Allen would too.

“Come, let’s get you inside and settled before we begin with what I’m sure is going to

be a hectic schedule for you all.” Bartholomew chuckled and gestured towards the

entrance, as the omega’s hastened forward to collect the bags from the car.