Alpha Nocturne’s Contracted Mate by A E Randell
Chapter 109 Childish Jealousy
“As your Beta, you have always trusted me with everything that went on in your life, Adam. I have served you well and faithfully, and our pack has prospered. For once, I’m disappointed in your choices and I cannot stress to you enough just how important it is for me to know what I’m dealing with here so that I can continue to support you properly.” Allen said, trying to keep the hurt from his voice as he spoke.
Adam didn’t reply immediately, simply staring at his trusted beta’s expression of hurt as he debated how to reply.
How was he supposed to tell him that he had deliberately kept him in the dark because he didn’t know if he could trust him to not let his personal feelings get in the way of what Adam decided was right?
But it appeared that Lexi was going to save him the trouble of having to injure his Beta’s pride as she smirked at him with a twinkle in her eye.
“Relax pumpkin… there’s been a lot going on just lately and I’m fairly sure that if it wasn’t for Ann’s stupidity and poor judgment just recently, then they both would have sat your pretty little b*oo*ty down and filled you in on all of the delicious details.” She purred as she raked her eyes over Allen’s body, lingering on his c*rotc*h area as her eyes seemed to flash hungrily for a moment.
Allen shifted uncomfortably under her gaze and leaned to grab a cushion from the nearby sofa, in an effort to protect himself as he growled warningly at her.
“Listen, if you think something like ‘that’ is going to protect you from me, we have bigger issues on hand than Ann’s stupidity when it comes to wanting to help everyone.” Lexi snorted as she wiggled her fingers suggestively at Allen.
Adam sighed as he looked intently at Allen.
“Listen, I would have spoken to you sooner, but we’ve hardly had time for the normal meetings with the rapid developments of the businesses, settling Ann into the pack and… now this. When Lexi updates us properly with the in-depth intel from her father then I promise you that you will be included in these discussions. However, you need to open your mind a little more Allen, Lexi has a mixed heritage which is not mine to discuss, but when she chooses to do so, any bigotry will not be tolerated, do you understand?”
Allen scowled but nodded curtly, clearly still hurt but at least a little distracted by trying to shield himself with a cushion against Lexi’s inquisitive stare.
“Now, all that remains is to try to figure out how on earth I’m going to get into the palace and get Ann back out.”
No sooner had he finished speaking did the phone on his desk start ringing.
It was an unrecognized number and he scowled, debating momentarily on whether or not to answer the call, but eventually caved.
“Who is this?” He growled furiously into the receiver. “Oh Alpha! What a pleasant surprise! I felt sure that we would be speaking to your Beta instead of you.” A shrill voice simpered on the other end of the phone.
Adam struggled to suppress his beast’s unbridled fury at the sound of the woman’s voice who had caused his mate so much hurt, and resorted to blocking him out just so that he could focus.
He hated to do that to him but there was no other choice. Narcissa and Ada simply could not suspect that they were on to them.
“Indeed.” Adam f*orc*ed out through gritted teeth, “To what do I owe the ple@sure of your call?”
He had always been terrible at hiding his emotions. In fact, Ann was the first person to have walked straight through his frosty exterior.
A light chuckle sounded from the other end of the phone.
“Well, I think we may have gotten off on the wrong foot, Alpha Nocturne.”
“You don’t say.” He answered sarcastically, wanting to say more but holding his tongue.
There was an uncertain silence at the end of the line and he could almost hear the hesitation for what she was about to say.
With a quick intake of breath, she finally spoke again.
“Okay, I admit. My childish jealousy got the better of me with Ann.” Ada said frankly, momentarily stunning Adam as she continued, “I mean, who wouldn’t be jealous of the long line of hunks that would happily queue behind each other just to get between her legs?” She giggled.
Adam growled in reflex, not wanting to even think about Ann in the arms of another male, and Ada quickly backtracked, apologizing hastily.
“That’s not what I meant at all, I’m sorry, Adam. I can call you Adam can’t I?”
“No.” He answered curtly and smiled in satisfaction to himself as he heard an audible gulp from the other end of the phone.
“As you wish, Alpha Nocturne. I apologize for wasting your time with idle chatter, let me get to the point.” Ada’s strained voice answered, “The palace guards brought Ann back here this afternoon, it seems that she managed to get herself into a little trouble earlier on the outskirts of the town…”
Adam’s heart began pounding a little faster the longer Ada spoke. Was she actually going to be truthful about what had happened?
Lexi had edged a little closer to hear better despite the dirty looks that Allen kept throwing her way and on hearing Ada’s words, she covered her mouth in surprise as her eyes went wide.
It was obvious she felt the same disbelief as Adam at the whole situation.
“Is she okay?” Adam asked nonchalantly as he cleared his throat, uncertain how badly she was injured. If she was badly hurt then he would be expected to be able to feel it as fated mates, but as contracted mates, the reality was that he had no idea…
A slight muffled chuckle sounded from the other end of the phone as Ada spoke again.
“Oh yes, she’s quite comfortable Alpha Nocturne, curious of you to ask that though.” She answered with a strange tone to her voice, “I hate to impose on you but, would you mind terribly coming to collect her? We can’t deliver her to you ourselves as… well… house arrest and all that…” Ada trailed off as she waited expectantly for an answer.
“Sure. I have a few things to wrap up on this end and then I’ll be right over.” Adam answered almost instantaneously.
There was no doubt in his mind that he needed to go and bring Ann home, despite the dangers that he would probably face.
Before he left though, he had contingency plans and to draw up in case things went badly, and a plan of attack for the rest of his men to follow if he gave the word.
This was going to be an incredibly delicate operation to pull off. He could only hope that the Royal Council wouldn’t react badly to a few of their elite guards being roughed up a little.