Alpha Nocturne’s Contracted Mate by A E Randell
Chapter 257 Hellhounds
Ann sat in a stunned silence as she tried to comprehend what they were telling her, her heart shattering as Maeve whined mournfully in her head.
“But… why?” Ann asked as they filled her in on what they knew so far.
“We don’t know the answer to that yet. But if my t**t of an uncle is involved, then it’s nothing good.” Lexi answered morosely.
Ann glanced up at Felix, who despite being obviously devastated by his wife’s uncertain demise, was holding it together pretty well.
“If the scent of Aoife’s blood wasn’t overpowering everything else in the room and driving my wolf insane, then I would have been able to help with scenting the other person that your father identified.” Felix grimaced.
“Oh I wouldn’t worry too much about that, Felix. Papa has plenty of ways to track down the sneaky little fuckwits that don’t want to be found.” Lexi smiled in what was supposed to be a reassuring manner but it didn’t seem to have the impact she desired as Felix scowled back at her.
“Are you insane? Of course I’m going to worry. My wife’s fate depends on the ability of your father to identify a secondary suspect and no offense, but considering it’s his brother that is one of the main suspects in this ridiculous conspiracy, how do I know he’s not involved in some way?” Felix hissed, “All I have is your word and your fathers and quite frankly, I don’t know either of you that well.”
“Well, you’re just going to have to trust us on this then aren’t you? Papa’s hellhounds are persistent little blighters too and it shouldn’t take them too long to…”
“Wait a minute… hellhounds?” Felix gaped at her incredulously as Lexi rolled her eyes.
“Well duh,obviously.” She snorted, “He’s a Daemon Lord, why wouldn’t he have Hellhounds?” “I’m just… I’m struggling to take it in that they exist. I thought they were merely legends…”
“Like the humans believed that werewolves and other things that went bump in the night were merely folklore and scary tales to keep their unruly children in bed at night?” Lexi laughed at Felix’s sheepish expression, “Sweet little furball, all Legends are rooted in truth, you should know that by now.”
Ann frowned as she listened to the back and forth and stifled a yawn as the exhaustion seemed to drop over her again like a cloud.
“But, Lexi, if the Hellhounds are such amazing trackers, then why can’t they track Aoife?” Ann asked as Felix’s eyes widened in realization. “If it was THAT simple then there would never be any missing people. They’re incredible trackers but they’re also kinda… bitey… to put it simply. They aren’t rescue hounds, the clue is in their name.” Lexi explained with a knowing smile, “We all want Aoife back in one piece right?”
Felix’s shoulders sagged in disappointment and Ann’s heart broke for him. She exchanged a look with Lexi, who pursed her lips and muttered under her breath before turning to Felix.
“Look, I know this is incredibly frustrating for you Felix but they will find who did this to Aoife, and they will bring him back to Papa. They might not be in the best condition when they arrive, but I don’t think a little terror will do them any harm.” Lexi said gently, “besides, I’m sure Papa will be more than happy to hand them over to you once he’s finished asking his questions about Eromaug.”
Felix nodded glumly as Adam sighed.
“Why does everything seem to come back to that coven? You don’t think Narcissa and Ada had a hand in this do you?”
“Well Eromaug is the daemon who governs their coven so it honestly wouldn’t surprise me. Although it does bother me that there’s been radio silence in regards to any news of their movements.” Ann grimaced as she stifled another yawn and Adam’s face creased in concern.
“Don’t tell me you’re feeling sorry for them!” Lexi scoffed with a horrified expression as Ann laughed lightly.
“Not at all. It just bothers me. When it comes to those two, no news is not good news.” Ann answered with a wry smile, “Has there been any news from Greyson yet?”
“Not yet,” Allen answered somberly.
“That’s odd. I thought he was going to check in with us as soon as he arrived.” Ann mused thoughtfully, “Can we send anyone to check up on them?”
“We sent a small reconnaissance team a few days ago but still haven’t heard back from them.
I’m getting to the point that I want to go out and investigate it myself.” Allen replied, the deep concern in his voice proving how much this bothered him.
“If you’re going then I sure as hell am going as well.” Lexi announced stubbornly.
“Not a chance,” Allen replied firmly, “Ann needs all the support she can get and besides it’s not safe for you there.”
“Its hardly much safer here is it with f*****g Queenie poisoned and Aoife missing.” Lexi snorted as she grimaced at Felix, “no offense.” “None taken,” he shrugged, “She’s right though Allen. She’s probably safer with you than she would be here.”
“You guys are aware that I don’t need babysitting right?” Lexi scoffed, “I’m perfectly capable of holding my own in a fight.”
“Now where have I heard that before?” Adam murmured with a pointed look at Ann who hung her head as a blush crept across her cheeks.
“I hate to interrupt your bickering, but I think Ann needs to rest a little.” Adam continued, holding a finger to Ann’s lips as she opened her mouth to protest and laughing at the furious look on her face.
“I was fine listening, you know. I think I’ve slept enough to last me a lifetime.” Ann grumbled, finally relenting once she saw the stern look that Adam was directing at her.
“Fine,” she sighed, “I’ll be a good girl for now but I’m warning you, I’m already sick of being in here.”
“As much as I hate to admit it, Queenie, Adam is right. You’ve barely been awake this past week and as wonderful as it is to see you awake again, you need to be careful. You have those gorgeous little pups of yours sucking the life out of you as well.”
“Lexi!” Allen yelped in horror.
“What?! I’m not wrong! It’s not like it’s just one little terror in there is it?! There’s three of them pulling her energy and nutrients, if she doesn’t compensate for the adorable little parasites then she’s going to spend most of her pregnancy exhausted and in bed.”
“It’s fine, Allen, relax.” Ann chuckled, “She has a good point. Pregnancies are difficult at the best of times, never mind when we’re taking into account multiple pregnancies.”
“But still… there are better ways of saying it. She doesn’t have to be so goddamn blunt all the time.” Allen retorted as he scowled at Lexi, who smirked and blew him a kiss.
“I’m as subtle as a brick through a window, Allen, it’s part of my charm.” she grinned, sniggering as it only seemed to infuriate him further.
“Right, before this escalates, get out. The lot of you.” Adam said good naturedly, herding them out of the room.
“But… what if Ann needs me for something? She…”
“She has me for now Lexi. Go and see your father and see if either you or Felix can help find Aoife, or maybe help Allen get a handle on where Grayson and the team have got to.” Adam chuckled as he gently pushed her out the door.
When he turned back toward Ann, she had already closed her eyes and was breathing softly.
He moved to the side of her bed and sat as quietly as he could, placing a hand on her belly and smiling softly to himself.
He was going to be a father. Not just one pup, not two, but three. He could almost imagine his parents and grandparents beaming down at him with pride.
Despite everything that had been thrown against him from an early age, he had made it. He finally had the family that he had dreamed of having since his own was taken from him so cruelly, all those years ago.
He watched her peaceful face as she slept and Baldur rumbled contentedly as they savored this quiet moment because one thing was for sure, when it came to this relationship it never stayed quiet for long.