Alpha Nocturne’s Contracted Mate by A E Randell
Chapter 40 Her Second Chance Mate
“I will not. I am her second chance mate, and she is my Luna.”
“No!” The Alpha King roared, “I forbid it! I will not consent to the match!”
Again the room erupted into protests, only this time, far louder. Who was he to deny the fate given by the Moon Goddess? Did he think himself above their goddess? He didn’t have the authority to make that decision!
“It’s too late for that, father,” Ann spoke finally, suddenly tired of this back and forth between the two. ” I have accepted the match and we are marked and mated. Ironic that I have found more love and solace in the arms of my second chance mate than I ever did in the arms of my family-“
“Ann…” The Alpha King’s expression was a mixture of p@in, grief, and guilt, all rolled into one.
As much as it tore her heart apart, the fact that he was so willing to give her mother’s heirlooms away to a child he had sired with his mistress, well, it was the last straw. “I won’t neglect my duties as a member of the Royal family, but I will no longer regard you as my family,” Ann stated emotionlessly.
She supposed she should want to cry at a time like this, but no tears came. She just felt… empty.
As Alpha Nocturne wrapped his arm around her and led her out of the hallway, a myriad of questions were shouted at them both as they passed and he shielded her from all of them.
As he bundled her safely into the car, Lexi rushed over and prevented the door from closing.
Adam frowned up at her. All he wanted to do was get Ann home and away from this madness.
“I just want to say, you better take care of her, Alpha Nocturne. I’ll take care of the media on my end, but you … you look after her.” Lexi said.
Adam nodded curtly as Lexi moved away from the door and he closed it firmly.
“Take us home, Allen.”
“Yes, Alpha.”
It was already late by the time they arrived home and Ann had fallen asleep, nestled against his shoulder in the back of the car.
He smiled down at her softly and stroked her hair, his wolf rumbling its content at the contact. He was usually stand-offish and prickly where females were concerned, but he had grown quite fond of Ann the more that he saw her in action, and Maeve’s character intrigued him. He had never met a wolf like her before. Used to simpering females, desperate to roll over and let him f*uc*k them, he found Maeve’s dominant and confident personality refreshing. As much as he longed for his fated mate, he also accepted that it was outside of their control and that sometimes, for the good of the pack, sacrifices had to be made.
If that meant that he took a chosen mate, then one day, if they ever found their fated mate, he was sure that they would understand. How can you battle an unseen curse from unknown origins??
Adam gently lifted Ann across his body and got out of the car, cradling her gently against his chest.
His beta, Allen, joined him at his side and they ascended the stairs together, nodding at the guards as they opened the doors for them.
“Do we need to worry about the Alpha King retaliating do you think?” Allen asked, a hint of concern in his voice. Adam snorted.
“Let him try. What can he do? His daughter is mated and marked as far as they know. It would be suicide for them to try to move against us. The shifter community would not take it lying down.”
Allen was silent for a while.
“Was it wise to belittle him in front of the media and the nobles though, Alpha?”
Adam stopped in his tracks and turned to glare at Allen coldly.
“Whether it was wise or not is not my concern. What was said was the truth and if the King is unable to hear a few home truths, however uncomfortable they may be, then he is not fit to be a king at all.” He growled before turning and heading inside, leaving Allen behind on the staircase.
As he entered their room and laid Ann on the bed, her eyes fluttered open gently.
“Adam?” She whispered, clearly disoriented.
“It’s okay, Ann. We’re home. You fell asleep in the car and I didn’t want to wake you.” He paused as he took a seat on the side of the bed. “Are you okay though? What happened?”
Ann grimaced and rubbed her eyes before pushing herself up into a seated position and leaning back against the headboard.
“I don’t even know. It was really strange. It was like I couldn’t control my body at all… I mean obviously, I could, but… god it sounds so complicated.” She sighed heavily, fiddling with her fingers.
“It’s okay, we’ll figure it out,” Adam said gently as he took hold of her hand and squeezed it rea*s*suringly. “What about Maeve? Is there anything she remembers?” Ann grimaced again.
“She was really quiet the whole night, as she’s always been when we lived there. Then all of a sudden, I was angry and she was suddenly there… but unlike I’ve ever known her before. She was… wild and uncontrollable.” Adam frowned.
“But, is she okay now?” he asked tentatively.
The last thing he wanted was for his chosen Luna’s wolf to go feral. There was no way to control her if that happened.