Chapter 3 - Maddox
The drive to my house was quiet. Jillian sat in the passenger seat, silent. She had her arms crossed as she looked outside the window. Her body was turned away so I couldn't look at her, but I could feel her anger filling the car with each minute that ticked by.
I stared straight ahead, white knuckling my steering wheel.
She had made this difficult, which surprised me.
I swear, everyone said that Jillian was sweet, but the girl I encountered was not.
There was no sweetness to her tone, not softness to her voice.
She was fighting me tooth and nail about everything.
I was certain I would have to carry her to my car after she ran for it the second time.
As we pulled into my territory, I headed straight for my house. I glanced at Jillian, who hadn't moved. If anything, she looked uninterested in everything. The change of view hadn't caught her attention at all, which I figured it might.
"We are almost there."
"Joy," she said with a grumble in her tone.
I sighed heavily, stopping at a light. We were just entering the downtown area, which I took pride in. We had a bustling town in Honeycomb Valley, and I made sure that we had everything we needed. We had a good money flow, and we were the top town in that regard.
Jillian, however, didn't look impressed. I had expected something, considering how Frank's downtown looked. He had an old town with history and character, while mine was… more modern. Both of them were great, but very different.
I glanced at her, waiting for her eyes to sparkle or at least for them to move around, taking in the space. But they didn't. They remain as uncaring as they were moments before.
I shook my head and pressed on the gas. We headed out and took the roundabout to enter a beautiful neighborhood. As we pulled up to my house, I glanced at Jillian again.
My house was a new build from two years ago.
It had high ceilings, nice lighting, and a stunning kitchen.
The front lawn was well-maintained, and the house itself was a light gray with white edging.
There were some bushes in the front, but otherwise it was just grass. The perfect cookie-cutter home.
"Are you going to willingly walk inside, or do I need to carry you?"
Jillian looked at me for the first time in hours and glared. "Eat shit." She opened the door and hopped out, slamming the door shut behind her.
I inhaled slowly, questioning how this was going to work for us. I questioned if the other women spoke this way to the guys when they were first forced to marry. Was I the only one who had a feisty chick? I doubted it. I'd heard some of the arguments the guys had with their wives.
I then remember she was likely afraid. Anyone would be scared in this situation, and everyone reacted differently. Some people leaned into their fear, and others leaned into their anger.
I got outside and headed up to the front door, where Jillian stood with her arms crossed. She looked around the neighborhood before turning to the door. I unlocked it and pushed the door open. Jillian stepped inside, and I watched her face fall.
"What is my house not nice enough for you?" The words slipped out quickly before I could even think.
"It's nice. It's just white," Jillian said as she looked around. Her lips formed a thin line, and her eyes scanned the rooms. "I'm just surprised, is all."
She must have been talking about the walls because I knew the furniture wasn't. I had top-of-the-line furniture. I had someone decorate for me, so I knew it looked good. Everything was in fashion.
"It's new. I had the entire house furnished when I bought it."
"It's characterless," she stated as she slipped her shoes off and walked further into the space.
I ignored her comment and forced a smile. "We should lay some ground rules down while we are here, since we are going to be doing this." I waved a hand between us. "And I want to make sure that we are both comfortable here."
Jillian stopped at the edge of the rug in the living room, and her head moved as she surveyed the space. "Such as?"
"You aren't leaving this place until the ceremony."
She rolled her eyes and started walking around the living room. "You've said that like eight times."
"I want to make sure you get how serious I am. If the Council found out about what you did, Jillian. They would not go easy on you."
She made a face and ran her hand over the couch before turning to the fireplace. "I get it, I'm a prisoner in a terrible furnished house."
I scowled. "This is furnished nicely. All high-end stuff."
She turned and sighed. "You clearly let someone furnish this because it looks like a page straight out of a catalog. You aren't anywhere in here. This house doesn't feel like a home."
I looked around, seeing her point. When I went to the guy's house, you could tell it was lived in. There were toys around, papers placed in random spots. The house felt warm when you entered it.
"Well, you can change things if you want," I offered, smiling at her in the hope it would help break the ice. It didn't. She looked away.
I sighed. "Rule two, I don't enjoy a smartass, and you should probably get that under wraps."
She continued walking, running her hand over the fireplace. "Get used to it. You're the one who forced me here."
I tossed my keys onto my small table by the door. "Rule three, once this marriage is set, you will find a job or at least do something. We may be married, but I still want you to do something with your spare time."
She glanced at me. "And if I don't want to work?"
I looked at her, confused. "Do you not want to work?" I knew that she probably didn't need to, as I worked, but I didn't see her as the type of person who would stay at home and do nothing.
She moved into the kitchen, her footsteps soft. She rounded the counter, taking in the cabinets and the island. "I liked what I did, but this is a new town, and it takes time to adjust."
I took her words in and nodded. "I understand that. Believe it or not, Jillian. I want you to be comfortable here. This will be your new life, and we both have to make adjustments." I didn't agree to most of this, but I wasn't a monster. We had to handle the cards that we were dealt.
I watched as she walked around the kitchen, her hands running over the granite counter. She stopped at the fridge and looked slightly impressed. "I'll say the kitchen is nice."
"I'm glad the kitchen impresses you."
She continued to walk, and I tilted my head at her. "What are you doing?"
"I'm getting to know my surroundings."
"Or are you trying to find a way out?"
She shrugged. "I guess you'll never know."
I grunted. "Rule Four, you will be expected back in the house at a responsible time. If you plan to be out late, I want to know. I don't care what you do, but I want to at least know you're safe."
She turned, leaning onto the counter. "Are you also going to be abiding by these, or just me? Like I'm a child?"
"It's for safety."
"Or is it because you don't trust me?"
"Well, you did try running for it, so trust isn't exactly up there right now."
"Obviously," she grumbled.
Jillian looked around, and I watched sadness flicker over her face for a split second, showing something besides anger or a neutral expression. But it was gone just as quickly as it came.
She took a deep breath before she looked at me, squaring her shoulders. "So, where am I supposed to sleep in this cold dungeon you call a home?"
I sighed and pointed towards the stairs.
Jillian turned, starting up the stairs, and I followed, pointing towards the third door. She opened the doors, and her shoulders seemed to relax at the sight of a bedroom.
She glanced at me and offered a genuine smile. "So, I have my own space." She seemed stunned by this information, and I looked at her, confused.
"Were you really thinking I was going to make us share a room?"
She chewed on her lower lip for a moment before she shrugged. "I know the others do."
I snorted. "And I can assure you they didn't at first. I'm not terrible, Jillian. Just because they stated we are to mate doesn't mean I'm forcing you into anything."
"Says the man that's forcing me into marriage."
I crossed my arms. "And where exactly were you going to go? Let's say you did get out, what are you going to do? Where are you going to go?"
"I don't know," she grumbled, chewing on her lip. "I was going to figure that out."
"Yeah, well, figure this out." I waved a hand around the room. "I have some phone calls to make."
I walked past her and back down the stairs. I ran a hand over my face and decided to call Frank. I'm sure he heard the news now.
I stepped into the kitchen and called Frank. It didn't even get a full ring before he answered. "Am I correct in the fact that you came and dragged Jillian from her home?" His voice came out snipped, and I sighed.
I pinched my eyes, rubbing my fingers roughly on the bridge of my nose. "Who told you that?"
"She texted Nina."
Of course she did.
"I did not drag her from her home. I caught her trying to make a run for it and calmly asked her to walk back to my car." I hadn't picked her up, but if she had tried to run again, I would have.
"She was trying to run? That doesn't sound like Jillian. What did you say to her?"
I leaned back, resting my elbows on the counter. "What makes you think I did it?"
"Because I know Jillian."
I worked my jaw and rubbed at my eyes. I was too tired for this. My brain was fried, and the last thing I wanted to do was argue with Frank.
"So, I take it you're not happy about this arrangement?"
Frank snorted. "Considering how you reacted after her being possessed, I'm skeptical about how this is going to turn out."
I glanced across the kitchen, knowing I had maybe been a little rough. Growing up, I spent a lot of time focused on becoming Alpha, so I didn't make many friends. My charm came in around high school, and friends were important to me, especially the friendships I have with the guys.
"She tried to kill you and Nina. I don't exactly find that as something I can brush off."
"She was possessed. How many times do I have to say that?" Frank snapped.
I fell silent, and I heard him sigh. "Maddox, I understand that you're angry, and I know it comes from a place of caring, but she didn't do anything. She was innocent, and she will be your responsibility. I hope you understand that and take the role seriously."
I looked up the stairs. I nodded. "I do."
I started dinner and was surprised that Jillian sat downstairs with me. The meal was quiet as we ate, nothing but the sound of our silverware scraping against the plates filled the room.
Frank's words kept ringing over and over in my head.
"Did you not like the look of the town?" I asked, trying to break the silence.
Jillian looked at me for a split second before she shrugged. "It's different."
I waited a second for her to explain more, but she didn't. I took a sip of my water and tried again. "I know Frank's town is filled with characters. Ours is mostly newly remodeled, but I think it's still as nice."
Jillian gave me a half nod, popping a carrot into her mouth.
"You have a sister, right?"
She nodded.
"What's she like?"
Jillian froze for a second before she raised an eyebrow at me. "Why do you ask?"
"Because we're going to be married and I should know what she's like."
"Does that mean you're going to tell me what your siblings are like?"
I frowned. "I don't have any."
She remained quiet for a second before she looked back at her plate. "She's sweet. Kind." That was all she said before she took another bite of her roast.
I took a deep breath in, trying not to grow agitated, but it wasn't easy. I was so used to everyone telling me everything; my charm worked easily on everyone, but it clearly wasn't working on her.
"Jillian, I'm trying here. You could meet me halfway."
She got up. "I'm tired." She grabbed her plate, taking it to the sink and setting it down before turning and heading up the stairs. I didn't call after her or follow her. I just rubbed my hand over my face and sighed.
Give her time. This is all new. She's probably angry, but once that settles, you guys will be fine.
I cleaned up dinner and headed to bed. As I got up the stairs, I could see light coming from underneath Jillian's door, telling me she was still up. I was tempted to go knock on her door and try talking to her again, but I didn't.
I headed into my bedroom and got ready for bed. I crawled under my sheets and tried to get comfortable, but it was hard. Sleep didn't come to me. My mind was going over everything, going over questions and how I could make this better.
I grunted and shoved my head into my pillow and sighed.
"I feel like an utter ass."
I grabbed my phone, deciding I needed to do something. I checked my emails and flipped through the news. I was trying to get my mind to settle, but nothing seemed to work.
I finally threw the sheets off and started to pace my room. I walked to my door, going to open it and go out in the hallway and head to Jillian's room, but I stopped.
"No, let her sleep."
I would pace some more and then question if she was even asleep. Maybe she was sitting up just as unsettled as I was.
I walked to my door and opened it. I slipped out into the hallway and headed down to her room. The light was still on.
I knocked. "Jillian…. can we talk?"
Silence. I expected that.
"I'm sorry about this. I don't like this any more than you do. But I feel that we should try to get along.”
Silence.
I sighed. "Ignoring me isn't going to make it better. If anything, it's only going to irritate me."
Silence.
I looked down at the light, knowing it was still on. So, I grabbed the handle and turned it. The door didn't budge for a moment, and I pushed hard on the door. It finally gave, and I stepped into her room. My eyes went straight to the bed, but I found it empty.
My eyes snapped towards the open window and the sheets that were fluttering in the window. She was gone.