Chapter 10. Her Protector

* Prince Vincent *

Mrs. Snipes whom I spoke on the phone earlier has her eyes towards us in front of the huge entrance to their mansion a few miles away from the City. The house is big enough to accommodate about six people and his mother resides alone with two helpers and now four security guards protecting both the front gate and the back of the house. It was my idea that she take full security in her home too.

"Ashley! Oh my God thank you so much that you are here sweetie!"

She run towards her as soon as we got out of the car and pull her against her arms. They spoke over the phone on our way here, there's only two of us who has arrived since I let Caleb and Alex to stay at the hotel.

"Oh Mom! I am worried about you too, and the hotel."

She started sobbing in a low voice but it registered clearly against my ears. I took all my strength to hold myself back against the strong urge to take her in my arms and comfort her. Tell her that everything is going to be alright, I am here and I will protect her.

"Shhhh, it's alright Ash. Your safety is what comes first, never mind the hotel we will deal with that later on. Don't worry sweetie."

Her mother's smile is genuine when she turns towards me and nod her head. "Welcome to my residence Prince Vincent. I can never thank you enough for keeping my daughter safe please let's all get inside and have something to eat."

"Thank you for inviting me here Mrs. Snipes, and thank you for your trust."

I look at her straight in the eye and sincerely bow my head. "No, thanks to you your majesty for making sure that my daughter is safe."

Ashley recovers her self esteem when she realizes that I am still around and our gaze meet for a while before she opens her mouth to speak.

"Come on Mom, let's get inside the house now."

The exhaustion began to show on her face. I have to remind myself that I could not get more closer to her than I already am, I know what I said years ago and there is no turning back. However, making her safe at all times is still my priority.

I let the two of them get inside first then I followed a few steps behind, fully aware of the people guarding the place. I took a whiff of the air once more to be sure that there is no danger lurking outside the mansion's property. When we all got inside an old woman came out bringing a pot of tea and three cups. I push the door slowly to close the house.

"Come join us for tea your majesty."

Mrs. Anderson invited me with a smile, they sat side by side on the long couch while I choose to sit on the single seat not far from them. The tea is served in the center table but my eyes is watching Ashley and every bit of expression on her face. I know she is waiting for my explanations so I began the conversation.

"I am sorry to have brought this dangerous situation on your family Mrs. Anderson but I have enemies which is now aware that Ashley is my mate. And what they will do to Ashley if I am not around is not going to be good, however I will give you my word now that nothing or no one can harm her."

Ashley shut her mouth in a thin line while she crossed her arms above her chest. "So how do you think you could make this monsters stay away from me. When it is clear that you have given me my freedom years ago but they still come after me. And what if, what if they come after my mother too?!"

Mrs. Anderson clears her throat, I could sense a slight amusement on her action as she pours a cup of tea into one of the cups and offer me. I am glad that she is not as scared as Ashley.

"Thank you Mrs. Anderson."

"You're welcome."

She poured another cup and give it to Ashley before getting her own self a cup.

"It is fate that made us mates Ash but I defy that when I let you leave, now this events are making us drawn towards each other once again. If this situation becomes worst, I am thinking maybe we need to let ourselves be with each other so that I could protect you."

Her eyes search for mine and shake her head in denial. "No! We are two different people living in different worlds, it's impossible for us to be together. I cannot imagine."

Her words was cut when Mrs. Anderson clears her throat once again and move from her seat. "Let me tell the house help to get the guest room ready for you majesty. You don't need to take a long drive back home."

I stood up from the couch and would have told her no but she wave her hand and take her cup of tea. "I will finish my tea upstairs, I need to call someone from the bank and take care of things. You two should stay here and talk. I know we can all work this thing out."

She walks out of the big living room and let us stay there in silence. "Look Ash, if that is what you want then let me at least keep few of the warriors from the Royal pack to stay here and make sure that both you and your mother stays safe."

Her eyes look up to me with her brows furrowed, I couldn't tell whether she is annoyed that I have to keep wolves around her or she is mad that I am staying the night. I could just drive back home but I wanted to spend the night and see if the enemies knows about this place and if they would attempt to take her again.

"Alright, you can keep few of the wolves here."

Her voice sounded calm and soft, not irritable like how I was thinking. "I'm glad you agree."

I sat back on the chair and let out a deep breath. "I know that you wanted to not get involved with the wolves Ash. But I am sorry to tell you that I cannot do anything about the fact that we are still fated mates and we can't just break it up even if you are here in the city and I am miles and miles away."

"Why not?!"

I gritted my teeth when she raise her voice. "That is because the Moon goddess choose us to be together and some wolves who break the rules of fated mates lost their lives living far away from each other. And under more circumstances, the wolves are all obedient to the Moon Goddess."

"What do you mean by that? Am I being punished by your Moon Goddess because I wanted to break the mate's bond? Is that why your enemies are coming after me!?"

I look at her lovely face getting confuse of her situation. "Maybe not like that, however that could be a reason too. I talk to Maleficus about you but so far he couldn't see your future or mine."

I look away and thought about the last conversation I had with the great wizard. All the more reason why I get back to the city as quick as possible because she could be in danger without my knowledge. The enemies could take her far away from me and I wouldn't even know what they will do to her if I came late. If that happens then I would have blame myself for a lifetime.

"Oh! So Maleficus can predict everyone's future except ours?"

She ask in disbelief. "Don't you think that the old man just don't want to tell you?"

I shook my head and look at her straight in the eyes. "He rarely lies to somebody and he does not lie to the Langston family. His loyalty to us knows no bounds. Listen you can choose to go back with me in the Palace just to make sure that they will stop chasing you and then come back after."

"No! That would be the last option, I wanted to stay here and help my Mom. The hotel is my home, I need to take care of the people relying on their jobs. The business suffered a lot after the incident."

She close her eyes and her voice almost give in to the dismay in her situation.

"Don't worry about the hotel Ash, I can cover for the rest of the damage as well as the staff's salary. Financial problems is the very last thing that you should worry about."

She shook her head. "No, It is more than enough that you save my life. What I really need from you is an assurance that my mother will be safe too."

I nod my head in agreement, that is already granted even before we come here.