Alpha Nocturne’s Contracted Mate by A E Randell
Chapter 211 The Life of The Alpha Queen’s Mate
Adam woke to find the bed beside him empty and after a brief moment of his wolf’s blind panic, he managed to calm himself enough to realize that the sound of water draining noisily down the plughole indicated that Ann had not left him or been taken by another, but was most likely tending to her aching muscles.
‘You should have seen to that for her already.’ Baldur grumbled, ‘Your human flesh is weak compared to ours. If you were attentive then you would know that she will be sore, and aching, and…’
‘Well if you weren’t so damn bestial in your treatment of her in the midst of passion, then she wouldn’t be so sore in the first place!’ Adam admonished as he threw back the quilt and began getting dressed.
Baldur snorted.
‘It feels good though… I get carried away… it’s not like you’ve let me out to have any time with Maeve anyway…’ he replied petulantly. Adam sighed heavily. He was sure that if Baldur was capable of pouting, then right now, that would be the expression that he was wearing, instead of the sulky gaze that he directed at him.
‘Look, I know. I’m sorry There just doesn’t seem to be enough time to actually take a little relaxation for us both as a couple There’s always something going on…’ Adam said as he tried to placate him.
‘Such is the life of the Alpha Queen’s mate.’ Baldur rumbled, ‘I am surprised her heat was so short-lived though. If her cycle follows the normal pattern, then I would think that she is already expecting our pups.’ Baldur grinned toothily as his tail swayed backward and forward behind him enthusiastically.
Adam’s stomach seemed to flip at the mere notion of Ann’s belly round with pups, and he couldn’t stop the stupid grin that appeared on his face.
‘Do you really think she might be…?’ He trailed off quietly as Baldur shrugged nonchalantly.
‘I don’t see why not. It is the true purpose of the heat after all, and it isn’t like you weren’t active beforehand… it’s our species way of ensuring that the conception is successful and we continue to thrive.’
‘I know all that Baldur, I just… I didn’t expect that it would happen so quickly. I never thought that we would ever be at this point with the curse slowly taking everything from us…’ Adam paused as his grin faded slightly at the memory of everything they had suffered, before laughing in disbelief.
‘It still blows my mind the insane streak of luck that brought the sequence of events about that introduced us in the men’s toilets of a bar known for its discretion… the one place that I thought I would be safe from running into anyone else.’ Adam shook his head and smiled at the sheer insanity of the situation.
‘That wasn’t luck Adam, it was fate. The Moon Goddess watches over us all, even though we don’t know it most of the time.’ Baldur advised sagely as the door to the bathroom swung open and Ann sauntered casually into the room, still rubbing at her hair with a towel. Their eyes met and as Adam drank the sight of her in, Ann’s eyes narrowed as she noticed the way that he was eyeing her hungrily.
“No” She announced firmly, pointing her finger at him as if telling him off, “No more s*e*xy time, Adam. I hurt all over, let’s rest today, okay?” The grin on his face confused her and her frown deepened “You don’t need me inside of you?” Adam asked teasingly as he approached her, stopping only when her palms landed firmly on his chest and held him at bay, as she refused to allow him to embrace her.
“Adam… don’t you dare even think about it! Right now, that is the last thing I want.” She warned, “What I want is to be left alone to sleep for a million years… and if I can’t do that… then I at least want to wallow in self-pity while I stuff my face with the largest Black Forest Gateaux that you have ever seen in your life.” Ann smirked as Adam laughed heartily.
“Ordinarily, I would be offended, but I’ll let you off this time.” He chuckled good-naturedly, “If this is what my Queen desires, then I shall hunt down the finest cake that I can find so that you can recover in peace” Adam grinned, bowing theatrically as she giggled at his antics.
“Not just any cake though, Adam Black Forest Gateaux specifically, okay?” she pouted as she allowed Adam to pull her close against his chest as he smiled down at her indulgently.
“Don’t worry. I got it. my Queen. I’ll make sure I get the right one.” He said softly as he planted a gentle kiss on her forehead and hesitated a moment before continuing. “Do you hurt that badly?”
“It’s a little belter after a long soak, but yes, I don’t think saying that I’m a little sore really does the discomfort justice.” she grimaced. “I’m sorry Ann. I didn’t mean to…”
“Il’s fine, Adam. I’m fully aware the first heat is always rough so I was sort of expecting it., and after my conversation with Maeve… I’m more than a little grateful it was so short-lived.” She chuckled as she wrapped her arms tightly around him, and buried her head in his chest, inhaling the warm, comforting scent that he exuded naturally.
“Just so you know, Allen and Lexi are here now, her father too, so you don’t need to focus on anything other than resting up today.” Adam told her quietly, knowing full well that although she might accept a few hours rest, encouraging her to take the whole day for herself might prove a little difficult.
Ann groaned loudly as she pushed away from him and threw herself onto the bed “I don’t want them to have to pick up my workload though…” She mumbled into the quilt. Adam chuckled at her muffled words and took a seat next to her.
“It’s no bother at all Ann, I promise. Bartholomew has taken responsibility for Lord Brarthroroz, and Allen and Lexi will see to any pressing matters that require our attention in the meantime “
Ann sat up with an expression of concern on her face as she met Adam’s gaze, the worry creasing her brow. “But I still have to finalize the plans for dealing with the rogues… not to mention the trial… oh my days I need to catch up with Eva too and find out how Crystal is doing!” she listed off, the mild panic in her voice rising the more she realized that she still had to do.
“Ann, please ..just…”
“No Adam. My father was happy enough putting things off until he forgot about them, and I won’t do the same “ She said firmly, her face determined as she stood and began gathering clothes in a hurry.
“Ann, you won’t forget. It’s just one more day!” Adam pleaded in exasperation.
Ann closed the door of the wardrobe a little harder than she intended and the noise echoed sharply in the room as she exhaled slowly. “That’s how it starts Adam, the neglect. Where’s the sense in leaving a problem for another day? No. Unless it is absolutely unavoidable, then I will see to things as quickly as possible. There’s no sense in leaving things for tomorrow when I can see to them today.”