Alpha Nocturne’s Contracted Mate Chapter 236


    Alpha Nocturne’s Contracted Mate by A E Randell


    Chapter 236 The Extra Visitors


    After meeting with Bartholomew in his office and discussing the many ways that Linus may try to spin


    his defense, they set off together toward the Court of the Elders.


    The irony wasn’t lost on Ann that only a short time ago, she had been the one standing in front of them


    all at the bottom of that intimidating amphitheater as the used party, and now, she would be


    presiding over the fate of others.


    The trials had pretty muche to a halt during the coronation proceedings and after the daring yet


    deadly escape of the convicts during their transport, the rest of the prisoners held within the Enve


    were being kept in the holding cells until it was deemed safe for transport once more.


    But now that the celebratory period had ended, Ann knew damn well that her workload was only set to


    increase as new trials were added to her schedule. She made a mental note to check up on the


    progress of Coral’s training with Eva as they pulled to a stop in front of the enormous doors.


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    “So… how does this work Barty-boy? Do I need to go and sit next to Ann and hold her hand or do I get


    to sit up in the roof with the big boys?” Lexi smirked.


    “I very much doubt that our Queen needs her hand holding just to face someone like Linus,”


    Bartholomew chuckled, “Ordinarily no one except the Elders would sit up in the circle of judgment… or


    the ceiling as you so eloquently put it. However, as you are also the Queen’s Beta…. things… well,


    we’re in unfamiliar territory, let’s put it that way. I would assume that your input will be required when we


    convene to discuss, so I will find you a seat next to me up there, so I can keep an eye on you.”


    “Should I follow you both, or…?” Allen asked uncertainly as Bartholomew turned to him with an


    awkward expression.


    “I’m afraid there’s no precedence for the mate of the Queen’s Beta to be in attendance, I’m afraid.


    Strictly speaking, you are the Beta of the Queen’s Consort, and in charge of the day-to-day running of


    the Dark Moon Pack by default under its Alpha’s absence… but that doesn’t follow over into the


    Enve I’m afraid.”


    Allen frowned slightly and looked across at Lexi with concern in his eyes. He knew all too well that both


    she and Ann were targets and the fact he was going to be forced to dither helplessly from outside the


    sealed doors whilst the proceedings took ce felt wrong on so many levels.


    “I would appreciate his input though, Bartholomew,” Ann said with the barest hint of urgency in her


    voice.


    She could tell by the look on Allen’s face that he shared the same concerns as she did. Lexi would be a


    sitting duck up there. It wasn’t that she didn’t have faith in her abilities to take care of herself, but


    against so many Elders that had voiced their open rebellion and no way of knowing who they were,


    Ann really didn’t want to take any chances.


    Bartholomew’s eyes seemed to be lost in thought for a second before he finally nodded, as if


    confirming something to himself.


    “I understand. You are the Alpha Queen, and you can set your own precedents, however, if you want


    him to be up in the circle then I would advise announcing it as we enter. I will warn you though, this


    may only serve to inme the tensions already simmering.” He cautioned.


    Lexi scoffed lightly.


    “Like it really matters. They hate us both because we’re women and because we’re threatening their


    authority. It’s as simple as that. I’m fully aware of how much disdain people hold for me as a hybrid, but


    I fully intend to prove them wrong on every count.”


    “And I’m sure you will, Lexi.” Bartholomew said kindly as he gestured towards the door, “If you would


    enter first Ann, and announce your ruling on Allen’s attendance before we enter, it would be much


    appreciated. Be firm and ensure that they are clear that it is you who is ultimately in charge here, not


    them.”


    Ann nodded with an un-ironic smile.


    “I have a feeling this is going to be a recurrent theme, isn’t it? I make a statement and I’m instantly


    going to be challenged.”


    “Try to think of it as if children who had been left alone for a long time have suddenly been reintroduced


    to a household with a parent who actually wants to parent…they’re merely trying to test


    out the limits of their new parent and establish where the boundaries are.” Bartholomew chuckled.


    “Most children don’t actively try to go against their parents though…” Allen mumbled as Bartholomew


    suddenly broke out into heartyughter.


    “What?” Allen asked in confusion, suddenly feeling embarrassed and not entirely sure why.


    Bartholomew grinned toothily up at him and pped him on the back gently. “When you are graced


    with children of your own and get to experience the wonders of teenagers and puberty firsthand, then I


    think you’ll see just how amusing your statement was.”


    Ann chuckled at the sheepish look on Allen’s face as she turned and took a deep breath. She calmed


    her racing heart that fluttered with nervous anticipation before cing her hands on the door and


    pushing it open, walking through with an air of dignity and projecting a confidence that she wasn’t


    entirely sure she felt.


    As she reached the seat that her father had sat on before her, she swallowed the lump in her throat


    that had suddenly appeared as the memories of his betrayal ran through her mind.


    With Meeve’s help, she shook them away and refocused her attention, looking up towards the circle


    defiantly, but hiding it with a demure smile.


    “Today you will be having my husband’s Beta from the Dark Moon Pack, Allen,joining you in the circle.”


    She announced steadily, pressing forward despite the murmurs that followed her announcement, “As


    my husband is absent from today’s proceedings in service to our crown, Allen will stand in his ce, as


    another voice that should be heard in rtion to the judgment for this trial.”


    “Centuries of tradition..never have we had a hybrid or a lesser rank…” A voice tinged with dismay


    called out and was quickly overshadowed by a second voice.


    “My Queen, you cannot possibly…” An outraged voice called, one that was bing all too familiar in


    raising its objections.


    Ann spoke clearly and firmly as she interrupted them quickly. If she needed to, then she would have no


    problem utilizing the Alpha aura to force them intoplying, but she would rather not. She had


    nned to keep her cards close to her chest and had no intention of letting them see just exactly what


    both she and Maeve were capable of until she had no other choice.


    “I can, and I will, Elders. My Beta and second-inmand, Lexi, will also be in attendance. With that


    said, let it be known that anyone who causes harm to either one of them will face dire consequences. It


    will be treated as a direct attack against the crown, do I make myself clear?”


    A heavy silence that felt almost petnt in its presentation hung over the room and Ann’s smile grew


    wider as she cast her gaze around the circle.


    “I shall take your silence as acquiescence,” She said as she heard a door open up in the circle and


    heard the shuffle as people moved around, readjusting their seating to amodate the extra visitors.


    Ann nodded in satisfaction and turned, taking a seat on the imposing chair that faced the dais that she


    too had once stood on.


    Her gaze hardened as she steeled herself for what was toe and the possible oues that may


    be brought.


    “Very Well. Let us begin.” She announced loudly, her voice taking on a chilling edge as she turned her


    head to the guards at the side of the room. “Bring him in.” She growled.