"The 12th Garrison?" Adam asked, his expression one of deep thought, "How were you alerted to the convoy's demise?" "Generally we track the progress from the 11th garrison at the receiving end through the Ravine with spotters from our garrison. We hadn't heard from the spotters for longer than was normal, and had begun to mobilize a search party." Greyson explained calmly, "They were about to leave when a group of Aurochs, that we know are used for transport there, entered the bottom of the valley in a panicked state."Adam nodded thoughtfully as Greyson explained, scrutinizing his face subtly and checking for any trace of dishonesty."As soon as the lookout at the Garrison reported it, we mobilized a force to intercept and conduct reconnaissance in the area. We knew that it meant nothing good as there was no trace of the guards or the convoy that they were supposed to be attached to, so support was requested from the 11th Garrison as well.""Did they call the wyverns in to help?" Bar
The air positively hummed as her aura rippled through the room and the people within dropped to their knees in front of her, including those that had done no wrong. Ann felt a pang of guilt but did her best to brush it away. It was less than ideal, but if it was spoken of outside of this room, then it would be widely known that Ann was no pushover, and would happily act before the Elders got a chance to do so.Perhaps Maeve was right and more direct action was necessary. Her father had been a weak ruler in later years and perhaps he had allowed them a little too much freedom in dictating how things were run.The Enclave was an ancient institution that protected the Kingdom from tyrant rulers. They were never meant to make the decisions for the Kings and Queens, merely to ensure that justice was upheld and that the Royal line did not abuse its power to the detriment of the general population.Ann calmed her raging fury and did her best to speak calmly. Though her tone was laced w
Ann and Adam made their way back to their quarters under the escort of the Royal guards and once inside, Ann gratefully closed the door behind her.It was glaringly obvious that they wouldn't be able to return to the palace anytime soon, so Adam set about making arrangements to have some of their personal effects sent over whilst Ann got herself changed out of the ceremonial attire and into something a little more comfortable.She wasn't sure that leggings and an oversized T-shirt were what constituted acceptable attire for a reigning Alpha Queen, but she was past caring at this point. She just wanted to be comfortable and free of distractions so that she could think clearly.She settled herself on the edge of the bed and sent a quick message to Mimi, requesting a few items of clothing that she knew she was lacking for official functions, diplomatic liaisons, and possibly for the meetings within the Enclave too. If at all possible she would much rather reserve the impractical gowns fo
The next morning with the haze of sleep still sitting over her, Ann had briefly forgotten the events of the night before as she stretched languidly under the cloud-like duvet that enveloped her completely.As the reality of her situation intruded rudely on her blissfully unaware state, she groaned and threw the covers off, before carefully extracting herself from under Adam's arm that had been lazily thrown across her stomach."Leaving me so soon?" Adam murmured, his voice still thick with sleep."There's too much waiting for us, my Alpha." Ann chuckled as his eyes opened wide suddenly and darkened as he gazed at her half-naked form perched on the edge of the bed."There's always time to squeeze in a little..." Adam protested playfully as he lunged to catch hold of her and pull her back into the bed, but Ann cut him off with a laugh."Little? Adam, you know as well as I do that there's nothing little about you, or the time that we spend wrapped around each other." She laughed as she qu
Coral guided them to the dining hall under the escort of the royal guard and as they entered the hall, everyone that had been seated stood instantly and bowed their heads in their direction."I'm not gonna lie, I kind of miss having a quiet breakfast without the audience already," Ann murmured to Adam, who chuckled in response.Ann motioned for them to sit as she took her seat and the breakfast dishes were brought out."Goddess, is it going to be like this every time we eat?" Ann frowned as she watched plate after plate of dishes being unloaded onto the table in front of them."I mean, at least we know you'll never be short of choice." Adam chuckled.The seating arrangements were the same at the Royal Table as they had been the night before and Ann found herself seated next to Bartholomew once more.She had already spotted Greyson and a few other faces she didn't recognize seated at one of the tables closest to theirs. Judging by their similarity in dress, she assumed they were p
They arrived at the entrance foyer to find Lexi and Allen seemingly in a bit of a stand off. Allen was refusing to look at her, whilst Lexi had a mild look of amusement on her face as she lazily cast her gaze over him."I don't know why you're so scared of me Beta boy." She commented as Ann and Adam pushed the doors open."I'm not scared! Why is it such a big deal if I'd rather ignore you? There's no law saying that I have to engage you in conversation." Allen grumbled as he held a box in one hand and steadied two large suitcases at his side with his other hand."Don't kid yourself. I can practically taste the fear and trepidation oozing out of you. I don't bite you know?" Lexi smirked, "Well… not unless you want me to."Allen scowled and sighed heavily, as Adam cleared his throat and they both looked towards them expectantly."Ironic that you both turned up at the same time really." Adam drawled with a sardonic smile. "Perhaps it's fate…" Ann teased as Allen spluttered indignantly."
Lexi had the grace to look a little embarrassed that her comment had been overheard and she mumbled an apology whilst she avoided eye contact with Bartholomew as he made himself comfortable in an old leather armchair that sat in front of his desk."No need to apologize, my dear, I'm fully aware of how people see us outside of these walls. Even more so those with Daemon blood, hmm? Our kind, especially those holding the title of Royal Elder, haven't always made the best decisions in relation to your people, now, have they?" He smiled warmly as Lexi's head shot up and she narrowed her eyes at him."How do you know that?" She questioned suspiciously, "I mean about my Daemon heritage. Have you been spying on me?!" Bartholomew chuckled."My dear, even with my wolf's heightened sense of smell being able to pinpoint your unique scent, I was present during the trial and the investigations that preceded it." He explained with a kind smile, "I'm fully aware of your heritage and I want you t
"Times were very different back then and I had been dumped on the doorstep of the Moon Goddess's Sanctuary that used to stand at the midpoint of our Kingdom." He continued with the slightest hint of regret as he sighed again, a little more softly this time. "I try not to dwell on it too much as I know it was done in an effort to give me a better life than a clanless Vampire and a rogue shifter could give me back then. Now, of course, things are very much different. You can settle anywhere in the kingdom as long as you register with the authorities, perhaps even join a community if they are willing, although being independent is certainly something to be admired..." Bartholomew rambled a little before stopping and grimacing apologetically. "Ah, I'm sorry, I appear to have wandered off on a tangent. It happens sometimes." "It's okay. But, Bartholomew, wasn't the Sanctuary destroyed during the war though?" Ann frowned.So much of their history and monuments had been destroyed in that