Alpha Nocturne's Contracted Mate

Alpha Nocturne’s Contracted Mate by A E Randell

Chapter 244 Portraits

The next morning Ann saw very few people in the corridors as she made her way to the room that Bartholomew had set aside for use for the portrait today.

Maeve had already been insufferable today, waking her early on with her insistent chatter and asking whether or not she should shower and bemoaned the fact that no one was around to rub fragrant oils into her coat.

She didn’t take kindly to Ann’s suggestion that no one really liked the smell of wet dog anyway and had skulked back into the recesses of Ann’s mind with a petulant face.

As she entered the room and saw Bartholomew helping the artist set up the backdrop and props, she wanted to turn around and walk straight back out.

She had no idea how they did it, but they had managed to somehow create Maeve’s vision perfectly, right down to the crimson silk and crown.

Ann winced as Maeve rattled around her head excitedly, practically clawing at her eyes in her excitement to shift.

“Ah! You Highness! What do you think?”

Bartholomew greeted with a broad smile as he spread his arms wide, gesturing to the backdrop that he had helped to create.

“Maeve loves it.” She grimaced, “So much so that I’m going to have to shift shortly or I think she may just claw her way out of my skull.”

Bartholomew chuckled as the artist smiled in satisfaction, clearly pleased that she had managed to capture the desired feel for the portrait on the first attempt.

“If you would like to shift and take a seat on the elevated throne that we prepared for you, I can set the other props in place for you. Is your wolf okay with that?” The artist asked softly.

your hands. Honestly, I’ve never known her so obsessed with anything so … pretentious” Ann snorted before quickly

made her way to the screen and began removing her

should be treated, your highness.” she simpered and

clothing been removed did Maeve surge forwards

and Maeve stretched her front and back l*egs luxuriously behind the screen before sniffing the air

just Bartholomew and the

too careful,’ Maeve replied with a smirk as she slipped the necklace carefully over her tail, “There’s not a

was satisfied, she lifted her head eagerly and padded proudly out

gasps and agreeable noises as Maeve made her way past her, much

over her muscles… how her eyes radiate her primal power… just… I’m so honored that you

smirked as Ann rolled her eyes

completely Maeve, by all means, bask in the glory of her attention for now, but don’t let it go to your head. These… artists and courtiers… they’re vacuous and will say exactly what

stops being in MY self-interest, I’ll just rip their pretty little faces to shreds so they remember not to take advantage of the Alpha Queen and her wolf in the future.’ Maeve snorted unrepentantly as she climbed onto the seat and settled herself

You can’t just go

in the back. Relax, it’ll send a message to

that you’re a tyrant and

said I wanted to be liked… I’m

a very large, very ornate necklace around her neck, brushing her fur into a pleasing display as she draped reams of

on wearing clothes…even silk is itchy on the fur…’ Maeve grumbled as Ann grimaced

you’re happy with that, then

stay as still as possible… I want to capture everything as it is

wait. This was undoubtedly one of the worst experiences of being a royal. She was dreading her own portrait, and so far, she has successfully managed to