Alpha Nocturne’s Contracted Mate by A E Randell
Chapter 18 Luna’s Private Suite
As Adam guided her down the corridor and around the corner, once they were out of sight of the staff members, he abruptly let go of her hand.
Ann turned her head to the side slightly, c*oc*king her head as she did so, and eyed him shrewdly, a faint smile tugging at her lips.
“Adam, are you annoyed at me?” She asked, a slight hint of amusement in her voice.
“No.” He answered curtly, without sparing her a glance. Ann fought the urge to smirk as he huffed loudly and increased his pace to walk a few steps ahead. She ignored Maeve chiding her for irritating him and instead turned her head to look at the decor.
So far everything had been tastefully decorated in an oddly satisfying mix of modern design and elegant accents. Sleek lines and original fixtures seemed to blend seamlessly and the place was spotlessly clean.
While the atmosphere wasn’t exactly warm and inviting, it did leave the impression that you would be well cared for here. Ann hoped that once she had settled in properly and been here a little while, she could help make the place feel a little homier. It was lacking a little something, but what that something was, she couldn’t quite decide.
Adam stopped abruptly in front of a large pair of dark mahogany doors with an intricately carved design of the moon Goddess on each door. Ann couldn’t help but gasp at the workmanship and instinctively reached out to gently run her fingers over the beautiful design.
On one door, the Moon Goddess was depicted smiling at two wolves before her, surrounded by trees and natural rock formations. The wolfs hearts appeared to have an almost ethereal thread flowing outwards from them and she held one thread in each hand as if she was caught mid-motion in connecting the two threads.
On the second door, the two wolves stood together watching as a litter of pups played happily before them in the same clearing and The Moon Goddess smiled down from above at the scene.
“Adam this is… this is beautiful…” Ann murmured, completely enthralled by the scenes depicted.
His indifferent glare softened slightly at the sight of her almost childlike awe at a simple door carving and he sighed, jamming his hands into the pockets of his trousers as he patiently waited for her to finish her appreciation.
“I think it was my great grandfather that had those commissioned, several in fact. I think you’ll enjoy your stay here if this kind of thing excites you,”
Ann nodded absentmindedly.
“It does… I mean, why wouldn’t it? The craftsmanship is stunning… the hours that must have gone into making this… and you say it’s hundreds of years old?” Ann questioned curiously turning to face him.
“I never said that only that my great-grandfather commissioned this. The male line of my ancestry never lived to their full potential, unfortunately… but we’ll discuss that another time.” Adam replied as a shadow crossed his face.
He cleared his throat and reached past her, pressing down on the handle and pushing the door open. Adam gestured for her to enter the room and as she stepped through the door, Ann was rendered speechless.
“Adam… it… it’s..stunning. All of it. I don’t know what to say…”
“This is the bridal suite… formerly Luna’s private suite,” Adam explained softly as he ran a hand over the dresser top.
“As short-lived as my ancestors were, the Lunas have always been incredibly strong-willed and passionate. My great-grandmother demanded a suite where she could escape from her husband when they had argued.” He chuckled softly at the memory and a flash of nostalgia swept across his expression.
“Oh,” Ann exclaimed quietly. “ Had you changed your mind about sharing a room then?”
Adam suppressed a smirk. He didn’t miss the trace of disappointment in her voice as she tried desperately to avoid his gaze. He cleared his throat lightly before he spoke.
“My request still stands. I intend to have Allen add the terms to the agreed contract however, traditionally we won’t spend the night before the wedding together. It’s intended to remind each party of how they would feel apart from each other. A time for reflection if you will.” “I know. I met you on the eve of my wedding remember?” Ann answered a little bitterly.
Adam sighed.
“About your things, I’ll send someone to pick them up if you want. I understand the whole situation is a little uncomfortable right now. You don’t need to put yourself in that situation tonight.”
Ann nodded quietly.
“It’s probably for the best. I don’t want to see any of them for the foreseeable future. This is my home now… for the next 5 years at least. But, Alpha?”
“Mm?”
“I don’t expect you to give me the cold shoulder if you are displeased with things I ask or say. I would rather you speak to me honestly rather than play childish games and try to gaslight me into behaving in a way that you think I should behave.”
Adam was silent for a while as he stared at her, his glance seemingly weighing the weight of her words.
“I think if you’re going to make statements about the way I run my pack without even seeing it first then you should at least expect some sort of reaction. These are not games that I’m playing Ann, merely the disappointment I felt at your words being expressed. I don’t ordinarily stand by quietly when I’m irritated. Be thankful that I didn’t react in the way that I usually do.” He answered finally, the matter of factly.
Ann held his gaze for a while longer before averting her eyes and forcing herself to bite back the sarcastic retort she longed to throw at him, narrowing her eyes at the luxurious bed instead.
“Did you want a tour of the pack? Or would you rather wait for the official ceremonies to die down?” He asked levelly.
“I think I’ll stay in my room, for now, thank you, Alpha.” “Very well, princess. Just shout if you need anything. I’ll be in my room across the hall from you. Do shout if you need anything.”
“I think I can manage.”
“Very well. In that case, I can arrange for the omega’s to bring you some food up, or we can eat together…”
“I don’t have an appet*ite, to be honest, Alpha. I think I’ll take a bath and retire to bed. It’s been a crappy few days and who knows what tomorrow will bring. I would rather be well rested if I’m to face an entirely unfamiliar pack.”
Adam nodded and smiled gently.
“As you wish. Then I’ll say goodnight. I’ll collect you in the morning for breakfast.”
With those final words, Adam turned abruptly and headed straight out of the door shutting it firmly behind him.
Ann snarled in frustration and threw herself on the bed in anger.
Adam stood at the other side of the closed door and smiled to himself. He had certainly managed to find himself a feisty Luna, as temporary as it may be.