She cleared her throat as best she could and shifted in her chair.
"I'll head to the library and see what I can dig up here, hopefully we have something of use amongst those dusty neglected tomes."
"Are you sure you don't want some company?" Adam smirked, lifting his eyebrows at her suggestively.
"I think I can manage, besides, you have some calls to make. Coral can come with me," Ann answered dryly as she turned to stare meaningfully at Coral, "Can't you Coral."
Coral blinked between the two of them, seeing Adams dissatisfied expressions and stifled a giggle as she nodded.
"Of course, my Queen. I'll have a search online and see if I can find any titles that might be of use. Do you have the library cataloged somewhere, like an online index?" Coral asked, her finger poised above her diary.
"Actually I don't think so…not that I know of actually. The library here has never been particularly well maintained, its really just a collection of dusty old tomes that my father used to peruse from time to time."
"I know this is a sensitive subject but… is it worth asking him?" Coral inquired hesitantly and immediately wished she hadn't as Ann's face darkened.
"I'm not asking him anything. I don't think it will be too difficult to sort this out by ourselves anyway." she sniffed indignantly.
"Okay, well, I know that the Library at the Enclave isn't particularly well maintained, but if you want me to have it cataloged I can arrange that."
"The Dark Moon has a small collection cataloged on our internal systems, but I can have my team work on some sort of internal database that everyone can access if that's what you need." Adam offered.
Ann nodded thoughtfully.
"Honestly, I think that would be a good idea. I wonder if we could get any of the other kingdoms to participate as well. Do you think Felix would be interested?" She asked as she turned to Am.
"I don't see why not. Do you want me to give him a call?"
"Obviously," Ann teased with a playful smile, "While you're on the phone with him, see if you can pick his brains about the Lycans and see if he has any books of interest on the matter. I'm more than happy to send someone to pick the books up…I wouldn't mind going myself actually, it's been a long time since I've visited…"
"Abso-fucking-lutely not." Adam interrupted her sternly as she blinked at him in surprise.
"Did you just forbid me from..?" she began incredulously as Adam nodded sharply and cut her off again.
"You're damn right I did. There is not a chance in hell that I a m going to let you go gallivanting off across the border into a kingdom that doesn't have the best track record with its attitude towards our people… towards my packmates and your friend…"
Ann's stomach turned as her mind was suddenly filled with the beautiful face of Aoife.
"Don't use her to illustrate your point Adam… she doesn't deserve that." Ann scowled.
"She doesn't deserve what was done to her either and I am not willing to risk the life of my mate and our pups just for some fucking book. If he has something that you need then either I will go and fetch it myself or I will send Allen, Greyson and Lexi when they return." Adam answered levelly before sighing heavily, "I'm not trying to be a dick about things Ann, you know that. What other alternatives do your people have if something happens to you, or your babies? Your father? Not likely. Then there will be people vying for the position and I can guarantee that if the Veritas bloodline is eradicated then there will be civil war for years afterwards."
Ann crossed her arms across her chest and sat back in her chair with a huff.
"You don't need to be so damn dramatic about it Adam. If I died, then you would rule in my stead. Alpha King Nocturne… has a nice ring to it, right?"
Adam's face stilled as pain flashed across his face for a brief moment. Suddenly, he reached forward and took her hands in his own.
"Don't ever joke about that Ann… not ever." He said with his voice barely above a whisper, "If anything happened to you, I don't know what I would do. I can guarantee that if you and those pups for some reason aren't in my life anymore... then I refuse to go on. Life will have no meaning anymore… so I'm begging you, please… when I say no to something that might endanger your life, just do as you're told."
Ann's heart raced as his eyes seemed to bore into her soul. She knew he was right, despite what her stubborn self wanted to do, there really was too much at risk for her to go off on her own anymore.
"He's a good mate. The best mate. Proud and strong and protective." Maeve purred happily inside her as Ann internally rolled her eyes at her and entwined her fingers with Adam's.
"Okay. I get it. Stop making me feel guilty," She murmured as she looked up at him through her lashes.
She felt like a child that had just been told off for something naughty, but she knew it was well intentioned. Adam smiled in response and reached up to cup her face with his free hand.
"You and those little pups inside of you are the most important thing in the world, and I would happily give my life if I meant that no harm would ever come to any of you. So think about that before you rush headlong off into your next adventure. I know you and Maeve are strong together, but right now, Maeve can't help you if you're in danger."
Ann nodded silently as he leaned forward and planted a soft kiss on her forehead.
"Now, I think we all have work to do. I'll go and make those calls whilst you and Coral go do your thing in the library and find what you need to. I'll meet you there when I'm done."
As soon as he had left Ann turned to Coral with a determined look on her face and grinned.
"Well, what are we waiting for? This research isn't going to do itself."
"You're right, but you know, if you need to go rest I'm happy to organize a team to take care of this for you and just present you with a report when we're done." Coral suggested as she helped her to stand.
Ann scoffed loudly.
"I'm perfectly capable of doing a little research. How hard can it be to find what we're looking for?" she laughed dismissively as they set off towards the library.