Chapter 186

Alpha Nocturne’s Contracted Mate by A E Randell

Chapter 186 The Attacks

The atmosphere in the dining hall was almost unbearably tense, but it gave Ann the perfect vantage

point to see which Elders were openly displeased by her actions with Linus.

Thankfully the tension didn’t seem to impact Alpha Felix or his wife in the slightest They sat to Ann’s

right, making polite conversation with both herself and Adam as they ate.

“I don’t know about you, your highness, but I always find these official functions a little stuffy.” Felix

chuckled as he tore into a chicken leg appreciatively.

Ann smiled graciously, still a little on edge. She didn’t know what to expect from Felix as she hadn’t had

any cause to meet with him previously and knew his father by reputation only.

“They can be tiring, yes, especially after such a long journey. Did you encounter any issues on the way

here?” She asked politely.

“No. Well, not after we were about 5 miles in past the border anyway. There are a lot of smaller villages

that are pretty much ghost towns out there now. The downside of that though is that the rogue

population seems to have moved in and taken over.” Felix grimaced.

“Then they’re trying to form their own communities?” Ann asked curiously.

“Communities of mass murderers? Sure, if you want to call them communities. Although honestly, just

because they’re living in houses, it doesn’t make them any less savage.” Felix snorted, “You know,

some of the former occupants who didn’t get out in time were killed, and their bodies hung from posts

outside the walls to serve as a warning.” Ann grimaced as her stomach dropped.

“If only we could drop a nuke on them without affecting our own kind,” Felix mumbled disgruntedly.

Even if the rogue’s movements were to gain new territory, it didn’t have to be done in such a brutal

manner. Their kind had come a long way in integrating into society since their existence was

discovered and it had taken them centuries to build this level of trust with the non-supernatural species.

As the humans began to see them as less of a threat to their way of life, the Government sponsored

hunter attacks that had struck fear into the hearts of all supernaturals lessened, and those that were

deemed civilized and integrated seamlessly into the human world were given immunity from reprisals.

And then, the Daemon war came.

The humans found themselves outmatched and outnumbered by savage beings that seemed to be

born straight from their own nightmares. As the humans took devastating losses against these

unknown foes, the call for help had gone out to all leaders of the supernatural communities and they

rallied around, eventually securing victory and enabling the humans to rebuild their societies alongside

them.

The human government had become an ally, not a suspicious diplomatic partner, as each country was

split into territories for the leaders of each race to govern as they saw fit.

If the newly emerged Rogue “Traditionalists” began to attack human areas, then the years of hard work

that had been put into building and maintaining their relationship could be sabotaged overnight.

“It wasn’t just adults displayed outside their walls either, my queen. There were bodies of children that

couldn’t have been older than 12.” Aoife murmured quietly as Felix nodded somberly.

Ann placed her cutlery down on the table carefully, feeling her anger bubbling again. “How long have

these attacks been going on?” She asked quietly. “The smaller attacks and what we thought were raids

for supplies have been happening for a few years now.”

“And the villages being overtaken by them with remaining inhabitants slain?” “Well, I can’t speak for

your kingdom,” Felix said uncertainly with a glance across at Adam as he dropped his voice a little

lower, “But on our side at least for around 6 months now, your highness. Although they have been

particularly active in the last 3 months or so, gradually becoming bolder in their attacks.”

Ann could almost second-guess where this was going at this point, but she had to ask.

“I assume there has been an appropriate response from both sides?” She asked as nonchalantly as

she could, but clearly, Adam had caught on to her shift in mood and he placed his arm casually on the

back of her chair, rubbing her back gently.

“We have specialist rapid response teams set up on our side of the border. They’re stationed at

intervals along its length with regular patrols between. As soon as the alarm is raised, we can respond

very quickly and prevent them from settling.” Felix answered matter of factly, before pausing and licking

his lips, as if nervous about passing judgment on the response of her kingdom that she knew damn

well her father had overseen.

“And the former Alpha King’s response?” Ann pressed, knowing full well what would be said judging by

his hesitance.

“I’m… er… not really qualified to speak on your response…”

“Whether you are or not, I am asking your opinion on the matter, Alpha Felix. As a representative of

your father’s kingdom and a staunch ally of our own, in your opinion, did the former king act adequately

to safeguard his people?” She ground out as she dug her nails into the palm of her hand to try and

distract herself from the torrent of rage that swirled within her.

Alpha Felix sighed heavily and lowered his head.

“No, your grace. The fact that the majority of the towns along your border have long since been

abandoned, and the Rogues have managed to gain a foothold here, speaks volumes on the lack of

response by the former Alpha King.” Ann nodded carefully and smiled tightly as her mind raced.

“Thank you for your honest response, Alpha Felix.” she said with a forced calmness as she cast a

dangerous look over the elders assembled in the dining hall before turning her gaze back to Felix and

Aoife, “I’m quite tired. I hope you don’t mind if I excuse myself for tonight. We have a busy day

tomorrow and I would like to be fresh for the meetings scheduled.”

“I hope I didn’t offend you, your grace,” Felix said with a concerned look on his face as Ann forced a

smile to reassure him.

“No, not at all. Please, stay and enjoy the rest of the night. I’ll see you both tomorrow.” She linked her

arm with Adam, and together they made their way out of the dining room and back toward their

chamber.

Ann knew that if she stayed in that room any longer, she might not have been able to contain her fury

at the incompetence of the men who were supposed to safeguard the kingdom.