Alpha Nocturne"s Contracted Mate

Alpha Nocturne’s Contracted Mate By A E Randell Chapter 153

Alpha Nocturne’s Contracted Mate By A E Randell Chapter 153

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.

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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 sugarpuff, 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 everincreasing 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.

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