Chapter 10: My Personal Maid

Ashton's POV

I was seated in my study signing off documents that had piled up. I hate coming back from trips and having to do paperwork, it's a headache and a bother—and Annabelle hasn't contacted me. Paul would've been the one to do most of this work in my absence but he's attending to something more urgent which is watching over Annabelle and her father—and she still hasn't contacted me.

It's been three days.

Is she having second thoughts about this? I mean she could back out anytime but Annabelle does not look like someone who goes back on her word. Suddenly my instincts kick in, what if she's in danger. I quickly shrug the feeling away because I would feel it if she were in danger because of the mate bond.

So why hasn't she reached out?

I've spoken to Paul everyday and he hasn't given me any reply that suggests that something is wrong. I know I'm being overly sensitive—and maybe I'm restless not being near her—but I can't help it.

I should ask Paul if this is what it feels like to have a mate because I feel like I'm having symptoms of a disease.

After some more time in my study, I head out because I have other things to do than wallow. Walking out, I place a call —if we're going to get Annabelle's father to one of our safe houses then I'd better make plans now and fast.

“Annabelle's in the house and her father is out on pack business.” Paul says immediately he picks up.

“I wasn't going to ask that.” I reply, somehow perplexed.

He scoffed a little, “Sure you weren't.” He replied sarcastically.

If he wasn't my best friend, I would definitely have kicked him out of the pack long ago.

“I called because of the arrangements to get Annabelle's father to one of the safe houses. How's that going?” I inquire.

“Well we have all the materials, we're honestly just waiting for your orders and then we'll proceed. We're going to be with him when he renounces the pack and goes rogue, make sure nothing happens and keep him safe. I'll be with Annabelle back at the house until you arrive.” Paul says.

Well everything is set then, I don't want to tell Paul that it's Annabelle who has to say the word for the plans to kick in motion. He'd have too much fun with it.

“Just wait for my signal, when it's time I'll let you know.”

Paul makes a non-committal sound and then for a while there was a pause on the phone. “Are you sure about Annabelle?” He finally asks.

“We've tried a lot Paul, even if I'm not sure; this is the only chance I've got right now. I want to see it through.” I replied. I know he's worried, we've been through so much looking for a cure and he's skeptical that an ordinary girl could just up and cure me.

Not even specialists and elders were able to, I've tried everything including sorcerers and if this doesn't work out the way I want it to then so be it. At least I'll die knowing I did find my mate in this lifetime.

“As you wish Alpha.” Was all he said before he hung up.

The next day, I'm woken up to the sound of my ringing tone shrilling through the room. It's an unknown number but something tells me it's her.

I don't wait for anything before I pick up. “Annabelle.” I say.

“I think I'm ready, what are your plans?” She asks.

Relief washes over me like cool water on a hot summer day. I don't think I've ever felt that relieved to receive a phone call in my life and not since I became Alpha. If anything I hate phone calls.

“I'll come to you as soon as possible. Where's your father?”

She pauses, “He's uhh at the council meeting and I'm waiting for him in the hall. I couldn't just let him go alone and I want to be here to heal him in case anything happens.” she replies.

God she's stubborn and I don't know if it's a good or bad thing. I mean it means she has grit but stubbornness can often lead one to danger.

“Who's with you?” I ask, almost impatiently.

“Paul and a few of your men, we're fine don't worry. I just called because I'm ready to leave here.”

“Okay, I'll be there as soon as I can. We've made plans for your dad and he'll be very safe. You can trust me Annabelle.” I assure her.

“I'm going to.” She said it like a prayer, like she was counting on me.

I manage to get everything together at the pack before I head out to where she is. Our packs share borders but it's still a long drive. Two hours minimum, if I defy all traffic and human laws to get there—which I definitely would.

When I get there, I'm directed to the pack council. It's a huge house owned by founding fathers. In almost every pack that's how it is—I sniff and I know she's really here, her scent is already putting my senses in overdrive.

“You are not going to be allowed to see the Alpha until the meeting is over so you'll wait in the other room and I'll notify him of your presence once he's done.” One of the men told me.

I give him a curt nod and take a seat. I wait till he leaves the room before I call Paul. But I don't get to do that because my chest starts constricting. I gasp for air but nothing comes up—it feels like I'm being pierced in the heart with a nail and I cannot do anything to stop it.

I'm on the ground in a flash, trying to breathe. It's so difficult—”I need her.” I manage to wheeze out but no one can hear me. I know I won't die but this experience is more painful after each episode and it comes with no warning signs.

I writhe in pain on the ground for a few more minutes before the doors fly open. I can see her through my blurry vision and my hand reaches out for her. In a flash she takes it and then I sort of black out for a few seconds.

When I find it easy to breathe again I open my eyes and I find her cradling my head on her lap, holding my hand. And on the other hand, she's holding a bottle. I look at her quizzically.

“Oh no, it's not a cure. It's a potion to help with pain. I worked on it for my dad when he used to have wounds from protecting the borders.” She replies.

I quickly stand up and put myself together.

“You did not tell me about this?” She whispers.

“There's a lot you need to know but I'm not just going to open up all my secrets to you while your loyalties lie with another pack. The minute you're out of here and we're married. I'll be able to tell you everything about this poison.” I point out.

She looks hurt, I don't know but the expression on her face lets me know that something I said doesn't sit well with her. I don't have time right now to cater for her emotions right now, there are more important things to deal with.

“Your father, what are they saying in the meeting?” I ask because I know she must've heard a few words.

“They're talking about pack business and all the things that have happened recently. Jason is still locked up for now thankfully but I don't know, if his father—who is obviously the Alpha—decides to grant him graces then he'll be released. But I think he too is afraid of the monster he made.” She replies. “My dad hasn't told them his decision to leave the pack yet, I assume after other matters are attended to, that'll be last on his list.”

I shake my head in disbelief. “I still don't understand why your dad chose to go this route. A war could break out, he knows that.”

“My father is an honorable man and deserves to have the right to a pack. Going rogue is going to taint his name, don't you get it?” Annabelle says, her voice with a hint of impatience.

I scoff and bring my face close to hers, “I did a lot of things to get to where I am. There is no glory without shame.”

“I know my father, but he would rather die righteous.”

I want to call their bullshit but I let her, since it's her father's decision. Whatever the outcome may be, I'll do everything right by Annabelle and protect them. After the incident today I know she has the ability to find the cure. All she needs is to study me and everything that I've worked on to get a cure.