Alpha Nocturne’s Contracted Mate by A E Randell
Chapter 299 Kindred Spirits
“Well, I certainly wasn’t expecting that.” Ann said a little breathlessly as she looked between Lexi, Allen and Greyson.
Adam shared the same concerned expression as she did at the revelations that Eromaug would clearly stop at nothing to get his hands on Lexi.
“You’re absolutely sure that your father is willing to ally himself with us?” Ann asked as the baby in her arms began to stir and protest at the noise and unfamiliar surroundings it had found itself in.
Lexi snorted loudly.
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“Of course, he is. How could he not when his daughter is your right hand woman?” She winked. “We should put it to the council first.” Adam said somberly as Lexi groaned loudly.
“I’m sure they’ll be thrilled at the opportunity,” She muttered sarcastically as Ann laughed.
“I think we should get hold of Bartholomew so that he can help us find a way to ‘tell’ the council of our alliance, rather than ask for their permission.” Ann mused thoughtfully, “He’s pretty knowledgeable about who supports us, who is on the fence and who still flat out opposes us. Although I will admit, the amount of opposition that we face does seem to be dropping off.”
“It’d be much easier if you just let me kill them.” Maeve muttered moodily in Ann’s head, “I’m sure Lexi would help too,” she added hopefully as an afterthought, but was shot down almost instantly.
“I’m not discussing this Maeve.” she said gently, “We’ve been through this countless times before. No killing, murdering, mainiming or other forms of violence against the council members of the Enclave… okay? I would like to earn their trust rather than have them agree with me through fear.”
“A little dose of fear never hurt anyone…” Maeve tutted sullenly as she narrowed her eyes, “If we got rid of them, then we know that our babies would be safe…”
“Maeve, enough.” Ann warned, causing Maeve to snap her jaws at her sullenly and slink to the back of her mind.
“Everything okay?” Adam asked as he took in her frowning expression.
“Yeah, just Maeve being her murderous self.” She shrugged as Lexi grinned widely.
“I knew it. Me and her? Kindred spirits.” Lexi commented triumphantly as she fist bumped the air and Maeve sniggered in Ann’s head.
“I’m sure she’d fist bump you right now as well if I would let her, but right now, we still need to figure a lot of things out.” Ann sighed with a roll of her eyes.
“Felix needs to know as well,” Adam said as he rubbed his chin thoughtfully, “I’m fairly sure that when we choose to move against Eromaug he will want to be involved.”
“Okay, then let’s put together a plan of action. We still have the move to the Palace to sort out and I still have the design and construction of the Portal room to organize. There’s no chance at all now that the Elders will want it here, especially with Eromaug still out there,” she paused for a moment and frowned, “I had hoped that if we were successful in destroying Eromaug then they might be willing to rethink.”
“I mean… one out of two isn’t bad right? The Coven’s base of operations is under our control now and, as far as we can tell, its members are either dead, injured and soon to be imprisoned, or they are on the run. I’m sure that Papa’s hellhounds won’t take too long to track the scents of any stragglers down.” Lexi grinned.
“The village and containment facility have been cleared and secured too, so really they just need cleaning up, repairing and re-staffing.” Greyson added seriously, “I can help with suggesting transfers from existing garrisons for security.”
“That would be helpful, thank you Greyson. Well enlist Bartholomew’s help again for advice regarding transfers to the containment facility once it is in workable order.” Ann nodded, “I don’t suppose any of the prisoners…?” She trailed off hopefully, already knowing the answer.
“All dead or escaped previously,” Greyson answered, “I have a small team currently working on finding the bodies so we can figure out who is missing. Then it only remains to determine whether or not they have been eaten, used by the flesh crafters, or were part of the lucky few that escaped early on in the takeover.”
“What do you plan to do with the baby?” Lexi asked curiously as she looked at her friend holding it protectively at her chest.
“I vote we keep him.” Maeve answered instantly.
“We can’t keep him Maeve, he’s not ours. Besides, how do you even know he’s a he?”
“He smells like a he,” Maeve sniffed, “And I don’t see why not. Do you really want that prick to raise a child to be just like him? He’d be better cared for by us.”
“That’s not fair to the child, nor to Brad or his wolf.” Ann sighed, “Who knows, perhaps this will entice his wolf back and go some way to repairing the relationship between them.”
Maeve snorted her disagreement with Ann, but didn’t argue further. Honestly, Ann could understand her reluctance to hand this defenseless child over to the man who had betrayed them, destroyed their plans for the future and then shockingly saved them from certain death.
However, forcing her overwhelming maternal instinct aside, Ann knew that she couldn’t possibly deny him the chance of parenthood. Especially if it was the catalyst that repaired the bond between him and his wolf. She knew that his mother would help if he was struggling so that eased her worries a little bit.
“Ann?” Lexi asked with a knowing smirk as Ann sighed and stroked the gurgling child’s face softly.
“I want to give this task to you, Lexi. I would like for you to escort the baby to Brad at his pack, and spend a little time there to make sure that he takes to parenthood well. Otherwise, in the worst case scenario, I can request to take this child as a ward of the Royal Line.”
Lexi blanched suddenly.
“Wait… you’re not seriously putting me in charge of that tiny little thing are you?!” Lexi protested loudly, “What if I break it?!”
“You won’t break him,” Ann chuckled, “Think of it as an opportunity to…”
“Don’t you dare say it,” Lexi growled, narrowing her eyes at her friend who had a mischievous twinkle in her eye.
“…gain some early experience for motherhood.” Ann finished unabashed as Lexi glowered at her. A sly glance to the side of her revealed Greyson and Allen looking at her with hope in their eyes and Lexi groaned.
“Please stop putting ideas in their heads. They’re only just starting to get along without wanting to tear each other to shreds.” Lexi mumbled irritably.
“Sorry, not sorry?” Ann grinned wickedly.
“If I had more energy for it, then I would find a way to get my own back but right now, all I want to do is take a hot bath and relax for a little while.” Lexi snorted, “After that, then sure. I’ll take the little bundle of joy to the sad-sack at the Crystal Pack.”
“Thank you, Lexi, I would take him myself but…” Ann began but was cut short by Adam’s warning growl, which caused her to laugh, “See? He explained better than I ever could.”