Alpha Nocturne’s Contracted Mate by A E Randell
Chapter 153 You Remind Me of Your Mother
Ann and Adam stood side by side on the balcony, waving down to the crowds that had gathered below. The noise from the crowd was almost deafening. It almost seemed as though they were fighting with one another over whose voice could shout the loudest and reach the newly crowned Alpha Queen’s ears first. Adam chuckled softly.
“All this is for you, my Queen.” He murmured as he took her hand and brought her fingers to his lips, kissing it gently.
Ann giggled lightly, her nerves getting the better of her as loud cheers echoed through the air.
“Don’t get me wrong, I’m grateful for their excitement and the more than warm welcome, but I’ve done nothing to prove myself to them yet.” She replied with a worried smile.
“Is that really what you think?” Adam murmured quietly, “Ann, take a step back and think about it for a second. These past few months have thrown so much at you and the accusations and lies that were thrown in your direction put you under intense public scrutiny. Yet, no matter what Narcissa and Ada threw at you, you continuously emerged triumphantly with your reputation intact”
“Yes… but I couldn’t have done it without you, you know? I’ve had a lot of support..” Ann protested weakly before Adam held a hand up to stop her.
“Ann, stop. Take a second to remember where you’re standing. If I know Maeve as well as I think I do, I’m sure she will tell you to stop with the self-doubt.”
‘He’s right you know… but I don’t intend to do it in such a nice way. Listen up sugar-puff, sure, acknowledge that sometimes everyone needs a little help but stop being a crybaby. I’m not having you throw a little pity party for yourself every time you’re insecure about your abilities. You’re a goddamn Queen now… act like one.’ Maeve smirked, ‘If the Moon Goddess wanted us to fix everything for ourselves, then she wouldn’t have granted us mates in the first place. For once in your life use your common sense.’
‘Wow… a little harsh there, Maeve. I’m not throwing a pity party at all, I just..’ Ann replied, a little taken aback by the passion in her words.
‘Ann, whatever you’re going to say I want you to know that I’m not listening and I intend to ignore it anyway. Just shut the f**k up, accept it, and enjoy this day as a celebration of a new beginning for us all… and while we’re at it… I still want that portrait of me in our crown.’
‘Are you serious? I thought you were joking when you said that…’ Ann snorted in a mixture of disbelief and amusement
‘Deadly. Serious.’ Maeve growled. ‘I don’t understand why you’re laughing.’
‘I’m not sure the Elders will agree… it’s not exactly protocol…’ Maeve snorted and bared her teeth.
‘f**k the protocol and f**k the Elders too. There’s nothing wrong with me wanting to feel pretty sometimes too… and the crown is shiny… and I want to wear it…’ she pouted sullenly as Ann debated how best to respond. Luckily for Ann, she was drawn out of the bizarre conversation by a voice from behind her. “Your highness, the people have seen you now, so I think it would be wise for you to withdraw and return inside.”
As she turned, her eyes met the gaze of the elder that had conducted her coronation ceremony and he smiled warmly at her from the doorway.
“The celebratory feast will be underway shortly and your presence is required before it can begin.” He advised with a small bow.
Ann nodded and glanced backward, her concerned stare focused in the direction of the thousands of people below.
Seeing her hesitance the Elder chuckled good-naturedly, his severe features crinkling into an expression that was not unlike one that you would expect to see on a kindly grandfather.
“The people will not miss out, your Highness. They will be escorted to the plaza, where food and drink has been provided for them. I promise you, their feasting and additional celebrations will last far longer than ours…” He smiled as a wicked glint crept into his eyes, “It will probably be much more fun as well.”
Ann grinned before she could stop herself and froze momentarily, not sure if it was particularly ‘Queenly’ behavior but the Elder returned her smile warmly.
“There is no need to be stone-faced all the time, your highness. Despite our fearsome reputation, we elders are no different than any other individual that resides within our kingdom. Apart from our current privileged positions of course… and the ever-increasing years that only add to our already ancient status… but we won’t talk about that.” He chuckled, as he gestured for them to enter again.
With a final wave to the crowds below, and feeling incredibly guilty as the sounds of disappointment drifted up toward them, they turned and left the balcony leaving the cool air behind them.
Mimi had been correct in her prediction of the chill that would await Ann on the balcony and she had found herself incredibly grateful for the thick cloak that chased the chill away. She pulled it tighter around her as she made her way inside to the equally chilly stone halls of the Enclave.
“Now, if you will allow me the honor of escorting you both to the banquet hall, I would be delighted to show you the hospitality reserved for the Alpha Queen and Consort.” The old man smiled as he gestured for them to follow. Ann and Adam exchanged a brief smile with each other before they followed his lead out of the grand hall and through the twisting stone corridors.
“You know, you remind me a lot of your mother, my Queen.” The Elder commented as he turned to look at Ann with an almost sad smile.
The comment startled Ann, as she hadn’t been expecting the topic of her mother to be brought up so quickly, but she didn’t let it show.
“Really? Did you know her well?” Ann enquired politely as the sound of their footsteps echoed around them. The Elder chuckled softly and nodded.
“Yes, since she was a child actually.” he replied with a sad sigh, “Not a single one of us supported Narcissa’s intrusion into the Royal household, but there was nothing that we could do. We attempted to safeguard both you and your mother, but we clearly underestimated the lengths that Narcissa was willing to go to. We feel that part of the blame for her death, and your misery, lands squarely at our feet.”
“That’s nonsense.” Ann answered quickly with a frown, “The only people that are to blame our my father and that… that…”
“You are too kind, my Queen. However, we intend to atone for our lack of foresight as we can.” The Elder interrupted with a tone that brokered no argument as they pulled to a stop in front of yet another set of heavy ornate doors.
The sounds of laughter and gentle music could be heard from within and Ann knew instantly that within the room beyond those doors, lay her first official banquet as Alpha Queen.
The Elder smiled warmly at her as the doors slowly opened, the sounds of merriment increasing in volume as they did so.
“Are you ready, my Queen?”
“As much as I’ll ever be,” Ann replied confidently as she took hold of Adam’s hand and they made their way inside.