Alpha Nocurne's Contracted Mate

Alpha Nocturne’s Contracted Mate by A E Randell
Chapter 243 No Work Tonight
The rest of the night went well, the more they drank, the lighter the mood got and Ann sat back happily in her chair, listening to
Aoife excitedly answer Lexi’s questions about her family and the magic that they used.
They had explained to her already Lexi’s father’s theory about why they both thought that Aoife felt so familiar to them, and Aoife
was positively over the moon that she could finally talk freely about herself and her abilities.
Lexi was leaning over the table, with her chin resting on her hands as she absolutely devoured every word that Aoife was saying,
and Aoife chatted animatedly as Ann sipped from her glass with a faint smile on her face.
She had taken a rest from the Bellevue selection that Lexi and Aoife were working their way through as she was starting to feel a
little queasy, and had switched to a non-alcoholic strawberry and lime concoction that the omega’s had only too happily wh*ipped
up for her.
‘I still think we should keep her..’ Maeve whispered wistfully.
‘I know, but you know we can’t.’ Ann replied softly, ‘I’m content enough that Lexi finally has someone she can talk to for answers
about her mother’s side and that we managed to get a little more information about Jasper. For all the good it will do us.’
‘All it’s told us is what we already knew. Jasper is an arsehole who needs castrating.’
Maeve growled, ‘Although, I do agree with you on your thoughts about the Excidium Coven. Maybe they have managed to
infiltrate another Royal Family, but we won’t know for sure unless we can get in there and see for ourselves.’
Ann hummed her agreement as she continued listening to their conversation. Despite this officially being a night off from her
duties, she couldn’t help but wonder how both teams were getting on.
Had Greyson arrived safely and managed to scout the situation properly? Had Adam and Felix arrived safely and were they busy
setting up a base of operations by now?
She hated being powerless and in the dark about what was going on. By rights, she should be there with them, at least then she
would feel like she was being useful.

“Everything okay?” Lexi’s voice interrupted her thoughts suddenly and as Ann lifted her eyes to look at them both and saw Lexi’s
face was crinkled in concern.
Ann laughed a little nervously, grimacing slightly as she was suddenly overcome with embarrassment.
“I’m fine. Sorry. I was wondering if the teams had all got there safely.” she admitted sheepishly as Lexi rolled her eyes.
“You promised me Ann, no work tonight!” Lexi chided as her frown deepened.
“I know, I know, I’m sorry! I can’t help where my thoughts go.”
“Well, there’s only one thing for it.” Lexi grinned brightly, “Time for some food to cheer you up!”
Ann groaned at the same time that Aoife’s eyes lit up.
“You do realize that I’m going to throw up if I eat anything? I know it’s not anywhere near the amount you two have polished off
between you but still...it never sits right after I’ve drank anything alcoholic.” Ann grimaced as Lexi gave her the side-eye.
“Honestly? I don’t think it will be too long until vomiting has a regular appearance on your schedule anyway.” Lexi sniggered as
Ann scowled at her.
“Not funny.”
“I wasn’t trying to be. When are you booked in to see the midwife by the way?” Lexi said as she sipped noisily on her drink whilst
Ann shot daggers at her through narrowed eyes.
“Actually, if you must know, I have an appointment with the obstetrician tomorrow....after Maeve’s damn portrait that we have to
sit for.” Ann replied with a sigh.
As excited as Maeve was about the portrait, Ann couldn’t help but wonder what her descendants would think about it. Perhaps it
would become the norm, but it equally could make her the subject of ridicule.
“Are you really having a portrait done for your wolf?!” Aoife grinned excitedly.
“Unfortunately, yes. She’s been relentless.” Ann grimaced.
“Well, I think it’s adorable. Your wolves are as much a part of you as your human side so it only seems fitting. I don’t know why
no one else has done it before.” Aoife replied offhandedly.

“Ha! Maeve the cute and fluffy...I can see it now.” Lexi sniggered.
‘You can tell her I’m perfectly happy to show her just how cute and fluffy I’m not, if she carries on...’ Maeve growled.
“Lexi, behave. Don’t get her riled up. She knows its something different and as much as I’m not keen on the idea, I can see why
she wants one.” Ann admitted, “Alpha females are rare enough as it is, I suppose it makes sense to record everything about one
of the few Alpha Queen’s in existence.”
“That’s not why I’m doing it though.” Maeve pouted.
“Then why ARE you so insistent on it?” Ann asked in exasperation.
“Because I’m f*****g MAJESTIC!” Maeve preened, “I want everyone to see just how magnificent I really am... I also want to
prove that it’s not just humans that can pull off wearing a crown. It will be glorious AND luxurious! I will wrap myself in the finest
red silk as I recline gracefully on...”
“Oh for f**k sake,” Ann muttered under her breath as she shut Maeve’s self-absorbed chatter out and rubbed her temples, “Too
late...she’s already on her high horse about the damn portrait now.”
Lexi collapsed in laughter as Aoife looked at Ann with a bemused smile, her head c****d to the side as she seemed to notice the
necklace that Ann wore around her neck for the first time.
“Where did you get that?” She asked softly as she leaned forward, peering closely at the chain.
“Oh this?” Ann frowned slightly as she brought her hand up to her necklace and held the pendant lightly with her fingers, “It was
given to me by Adam. It was his grandmother’s. Why?”
“I’ve never actually seen a physical ward outside of our commune. There were only a few ever produced by the Elders of most
bloodlines, and they’re rarely talked about. They’ve always been shrouded in mystery.”
Ann shifted uncomfortably in her seat. She hadn’t been prepared for the abrupt change in conversation, nor the fact that Aoife
had recognized the necklace for what it was in a single glance.
“Do you mind if I take a look?” Aoife asked eagerly but after a little hesitation, Ann shook her head.
“I’m sorry Aoife. I don’t want to take it off, it’s not a reflection on you, I just don’t want to leave myself open to anything that might
be present that we don’t know about. I already made the mistake of taking this off once, and I don’t intend to do that again.” She

explained gently as Maeve rumbled her approval.
Aoife looked a little crestfallen as if she had realized that she had overstepped a little, and she lowered her head in
embarrassment with a mumbled apology.
Lexi cleared her throat and patted her on the shoulder reassuringly, sensing the abrupt mood change.
“Hey, don’t sweat it Aoife. If you don’t ask, you don’t get, right?” She grinned as Aoife nodded silently.
Ann sighed internally. Perhaps she was too tired and emotionally drained from today’s events for this, but the mood of the
evening had suddenly deteriorated to a point that all she wanted to do was curl up in her bed and sleep.
She forced a smile onto her face and pushed her glass toward the center of the table.
“If you don’t mind ladies, I’m going to head to bed. I think everything has caught up with me.”
“What?! But it’s still early!” Lexi protested, her voice full of disappointment.
“For you maybe, but I’ve been awake since before sunrise,” Ann chuckled, “Feel free to carry on without me.”
“Will do!” Lexi replied brightly as Ann stood and walked around the table to give them both a hug before she said goodnight.
As she made her way out of the bar she could hear Aoife’s worried voice as she tried to figure out whether Ann was angry with
her or not. She didn’t have the energy to go back and reassure her, thankfully, Lexi was doing a good enough job as it was.
It was strange that she had known what the necklace was though, Ann couldn’t decide whether or not it truly was because she
had recognized it from some conversation in the past and was genuinely curious or whether it was because there was something
more.
Whatever it was, it would wait till the morning. She would have plenty of time to think about the significance whilst she sat for this
damn portrait and whilst she waited to see the obstetrician.