Alpha Nocturne’s Contracted Mate by A E Randell
Chapter 190 The Rogue Problem
Gasps of horror could be heard from around the room as they conferred amongst themselves whilst Cornelius stood, isolated and speechless in the face of such a verbal a*s*sault.
It was glaringly obvious that not a single person here had challenged her father and had allowed themselves to become complacent in their duties.
“I am waiting for you to make me understand, Cornelius,” Ann growled, her eyes flashing a dangerous gold as the realization set in amongst the Elders that Ann was looking for someone to blame for this colossal tragedy.
When Cornelius didn’t reply, instead looking around himself for support from his colleagues, and finding none, he bowed his head in shame.
Ann stood slowly, approaching Cornelius with fury radiating from her and he knew instantly that his former attitude towards her was entirely misplaced.
The raw strength and power that rolled off her so effortlessly meant that she was a formidable foe, and with her consort at her side, this was not a wise enemy to have made, despite his misgivings about a female holding the title.
“Make me understand Cornelius.” She hissed menacingly as she stopped, centimeters from his face, “I am to hold diplomatic talks with an honored guest who has come to us with concerns about the rogue population that harries our borders and kills our people, yet I find that not a single person among you has lifted a finger to help.”
“They have taken proactive steps and set up rapid response teams, fortified defensive positions along the border whilst we have apparently just sat idly by whilst our people are chased from their homes and slaughtered where they stand. Pups are killed… defenseless pups, Cornelius. Just let that sink in.”
Ann tore her intense gaze from Cornelius’s trembling figure and raked her gaze across the guilty faces of the elders in attendance, including Bartholomew.
She understood that not all of them were responsible for this, but she needed to know who was to blame. Who was it that had allowed the reports to slide from the agenda and downplayed the threats? If it meant making the Enclave see the side of her that she tried to keep hidden, then she would embrace it and allow them to fear her and what she and Maeve were capable of together.
“How am I supposed to discuss politely that the rogue problem has grown so large because our Royal Enclave did not do their job? That our former King was allowed to get away with inaction because nobody could be bothered to speak up for the very people that you were installed to protect?” Ann hissed contemptuously, “Perhaps you have grown too comfortable and are no longer able to do the jobs that you pledged to do.”
“That’s a little unfair…” A voice rose from somewhere at the back.
“Is it? Do my words hurt you more than the savage claws and teeth that tore those poor pups apart?” Ann snorted bitterly as she returned to her chair.
“Whilst you sit there pitying yourself and the perceived unfairness of my words, did any of you stop to think that allowing the rogue population to grow unchecked along our borders could be exactly what Narcissa and her coven wanted?”
Ann visibly felt the atmosphere change in the room as little lightbulbs seemed to light up in the minds of the elders and their faces whipped up to stare at her in apprehension and horror.
“Considering what we know so far of Narcissa and her coven’s plots, wouldn’t it be the perfect distraction? How many kingdoms can fight a war on two fronts? No matter how well-armed they may be, it would still leave areas wide open for attack. You have already admitted your failings in the past when it came to my father and Narcissa. What I want to know is what exactly you intend to do to rectify the mistakes you have made.”
A low murmur rippled through the room as they debated amongst themselves.
“Mark my words though, I will be closely reviewing each area that you all oversee. I expect reports of the past five years’ activities from each of your offices in the hands of my consort by tomorrow evening at the latest.” Ann said sternly, pulling her aura in as Maeve settled back to watch the conversations with interest.
“Speaker?” Ann continued as she gestured to the man at the side of the room clutching his paperwork as if his very life depended on it.
“Yes, my Queen?” He asked fearfully.
“I would also like a comprehensive copy of the records of agendas spanning the past ten years, please. How long will that take?”
“I can get my apprentices on it and have it with you by tomorrow evening at the latest.” He answered hurriedly.
“Excellent.” Ann smiled at him in what she hoped was a rea*s*suring manner before turning back to face the chastised Elders with a stern expression.
“I had hoped that yesterday would be the only incident in which I would have to a*s*sert my authority, but again, I have had to remind you all of your duties. I do not want this to become a regular occurrence. If you have any objections to my ascension or my role as Alpha Queen then please, for the sake of the kingdom, submit your concerns to my Consort, anonymously if needed, and we will schedule a meeting to discuss anything raised. I will also take this opportunity to remind you that you should not let your personal prejudices affect the way you do your job. Our kingdom is more than petty disagreements and you would do well to remember that…”
The ripples of low murmurs of a*s*sent and acknowledgment of her statement eventually reached her ears and she sat back in the chair, clasping her hands together in her lap as she gazed at them shrewdly. Her eyes still smoldered with the promise of reprisals as she addressed them coldly.
“Now, we will not move on to the next topic on the agenda until I am satisfied that I know exactly what each one of you intends to do to protect our people from these rogues.”