Alpha Nocturne’s Contracted Mate by A E Randell
Chapter 185 A New Era
Ann smiled tightly as Alpha Felix surveyed the chaotic scene behind her with interest. He was a good-looking man, with stern yet handsome features and powerfully built. His Luna stood next to him, a welcoming and friendly face surrounded by a ma*s*s of black, messy curls that gave her a slightly wild look as she eyed the furor warily.
“My apologies, I had hoped to have this resolved before you arrived.” Ann offered with a small smile. Felix chuckled and waved his hand dismissively.
“You run your kingdom as you see fit, my Queen. Justice cannot wait for such a heinous crime in my opinion. You have acted as befits the royal line, there is o need for apologies.” He said before crossing his arm across his chest and bowing respectfully, his wife and the men behind him following his example.
“It is a pleasure to be here your grace, regardless of circumstances. Thank you for receiving us.” He continued as he stood upright and beamed widely as he gestured to his wife, “This is Aoife, the light of my life, my very reason for breathing, and also my Luna.”
Aoife rolled her eyes and snorted, blushing heavily. “Really Felix? In front of royalty?” she murmured with the barest trace of irritation in her voice as she smiled apologetically at Ann.
‘Aww, cute! She’s so tiny!’ Maeve gushed, ‘Can we keep her?’
‘Maeve… I actually have no words for you. You want to turn our diplomatic guests into pets… what the actual f”k is wrong with you?’ Ann snapped incredulously.
‘But look how tiny she is! I bet their pups are going to be adorable… a big strong Alpha like that with teeny little pups between them…’
‘Honestly, Maeve, the speed at which you switch between murderous rage, sa*s*sy queen and squealing like a child at Disneyland astounds me…’ Ann groaned inwardly.
“Welcome to the Enclave, all of you.” Adam said, his voice interrupting her dialogue with Maeve as he stepped forward and offered his hand to Felix, “I’m Adam, Queen Ann’s Consort.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you.” Felix answered with a grin, taking his hand and shaking it firmly as they exchanged a mysterious look between them.
Ann narrowed he eyes slightly as she watched the interaction between them both. If she didn’t know better, she would think that these two already knew each other in some way.
“We’ll have the guards escort you to your rooms so that you can freshen up before dinner. I’m sure you all must be famished.” Bartholomew said warmly as he moved to stand to the side of Ann, making sure he was positioned slightly behind as befitting a member of the Royal Enclave.
“That would be wonderful, thank you” Felix answered, inclining his head gratefully before allowing himself to be led away to their rooms.
Not a single member of the Elders had moved an inch or uttered a word as the exchange between Ann and Felix had continued. Ann sighed quietly as she turned to face them.
“You can proceed with your evening as you had originally planned. I expect you in attendance for the meal as a show of respect to Alpha Felix, regardless of what has happened here tonight. Bartholomew will schedule a meeting tomorrow morning so that I can present the evidence to you of Elder Linus’s crimes. I sincerely hope that this will be the last time that I have to call out one of my own so publicly, because of their conduct. Am I clear?”
The elders chorused their a*s*sent before turning and filing orderly away to attend to whatever they needed to before they reconvened for the meal.
“Nicely done your highness,” Bartholomew said quietly, his eyes twinkling with approval.
“I don’t know about that.” Ann grumbled, “It’s not exactly the welcome that’s expected now is it?” “Well, if anything he will know that you are indeed serious about justice for all those that reside in your kingdom
and that no one is untouchable. I have a feeling that you’re going to make quite the name for yourself as Alpha Queen.” Bartholomew chuckled.
‘Even more so when we get my regal portrait with a shiny crown hanging front and center above the staircase there.’ Maeve smirked as Ann cast her eyes across to the half-landing that sat between the ground floor and first floor, and groaned loudly.
‘You are not getting a portrait, Maeve. That’s absurd.’ She muttered loud enough for both Bartholomew and Adam to hear.
Their barely suppressed smiles irritated Ann a little.
“Don’t encourage her! She’s like a dog with a bone…”
‘Ironic…’ Maeve snorted sarcastically, ‘You’re wrong though. I am a wolf that wants a crown …and you’re holding me back from achieving my dreams, Ann… don’t be a spoilsport…’ she whined petulantly.
‘Seriously?!’
“I think a portrait of both Maeve and Baldur would be a wonderful addition to our gallery of Royals…” Bartholomew chuckled good-naturedly.
“Bartholomew… I’m warning you…” Ann ground out through gritted teeth
“Hear me out, my Queen.” He said gently, in a tone that would better be used for soothing irate beasts rather than his Queen, “It has been too long since the appropriate respect has been given to the other half of your nature. Portraits of humans adorn the walls but I have not seen true respect paid to the wolves that leap to our defense every time we are threatened.”
‘He’s not wrong.’
“We rely on their confidence and strength, their agility, and their cunning to suppress our enemies and protect the weak, and yet they receive little to no recognition. You intend to usher in a new era, my queen, then I think Maeve’s suggestion is a perfect way to symbolize that. Wolf and human counterparts in perfect harmony with one another.” Ann blinked in shock and looked at Adam who shrugged.
“You have got to be f*’***g kidding me…” she muttered under her breath before groaning loudly and rolling her eyes to the ceiling.
“If you like, I can schedule the artist to take the sittings for both or standard human portrait as well as your wolves.” Bartholomew offered with a knowing smile as Maeve pranced around happily inside her head. “Oh for Goddess’s sake, FINE. The damn wolf gets her damn portrait…”
‘With the crown Ann… don’t forget the crown…’