Chapter 3 - Asher
“I can’t believe you’re getting married.” My mother said as she adjusted my tie. Her fingers were moving quickly as she tugged at my collar. “And so quick.”
“It’s an arranged marriage.” My father said from his seat across the small room where I was getting ready. He had made his disapproval clear as soon as I told them. I hadn’t expected them even to come. I was only doing this because Brandon asked me to.
My mother was wearing a long, deep burgundy dress with a scarf around it. She had her hair in large curls and simple diamond earrings. My father was wearing a matching button-up shirt with a gray suit. He’d combed his hair back and cleaned up his face.
“You didn’t have to come.”
“I wouldn’t miss your wedding,” she said, placing her hands on my face. She smiled at me, and her eyes were sparkling as she looked at me. “It’s a mother’s dream to see her child go down the aisle. I’ve watched you grow from this little bean into this handsome man. I am so proud of you.”
“I think it’s her dream to know you’re marrying the woman because of love and not a job.” My dad quickly added, and I hated how he had to ruin the moment.
I sighed, watching the way my mother’s smile slipped. She pulled her hands free. “Well, since you’re dressed, we will go take our seats.”
My father pulled himself up and opened the door.
My mother blew me a kiss before they both slipped free.
I sighed, rubbing at my face. I kept seeing Hazel’s face when she came into our meeting.
She looked frazzled but held her head high.
I could tell she clearly didn’t love the idea, and I wasn’t sure why she was agreeing.
She didn’t have to if she really didn’t want to.
I expected her to refuse, for Brandon to have to come up with something else.
But she’d said she would.
There was a knock at the door, and Westley popped his head inside. “We’re ready if you are.”
I nodded.
We left the room and headed down the hallway toward the small court room down the hall. Inside, my parents sat with Brandon and Kaleb waiting. I headed down the small row of chairs to them. Westley patted my back.
“Look at us. We’re all going to be married in a matter of minutes.”
I could see my father’s eyes narrow at the joke.
I heard someone clear their throat, and I turned as Gabriella came into the doorway.
Hazel was right next to her, wearing a simple white dress.
Gabriella walked with her, bringing her down toward me.
But she didn’t hand her off. She stepped close to me, her eyes narrowing.
“If you hurt her, Asher. I will hurt you ten times worse.”
She glared at me with venomous eyes before taking a step back. Hazel stepped forward. She swallowed, but I could see her discomfort beneath her eyes.
“This is just a quick down-at-the-courthouse marriage. We just need you two to take each other, and we will sign the marriage license.”
“Hazel, do you take Asher Witney Thomas to be your husband?”
Hazel was quiet for a moment. Her entire body froze at the words, and I could see the wheels in her head were churning. But she shook it off and slowly nodded. “I do.”
“And Asher, do you take Hazel Lynn Ellis to be your wife?”
“I do.”
“Alright, then let’s sign the marriage license, and you two are wed.”
Brandon pulled out a marriage license and slid it onto the small podium in front of him.
“Westley and Kaleb already signed for your two witnesses.” Brandon handed me the pen, and I quickly wrote my name.
I handed the pen to Hazel. She stared at the paper, and I half expected this to be the moment she realized there was no turning back.
I expected her to suddenly snap out of this haze and realize what she was agreeing to.
But she didn’t. She signed her name and placed the pen down. She brought her eyes up to me as Brandon spoke. “Well, you are legally husband and wife.”
My parents pulled themselves up and walked toward us. My mother offered a bright smile. “It’s lovely to meet you, Hazel.”
Hazel tried to muster a smile, but it didn’t fit. My father remained silent, just staring at Hazel. I could see he was disappointed, his eyes narrowing on her like he was trying to figure her out.
“Well, now that it is official, we have some other things to figure out. And I would like to speak with my wife alone.” I hooked her arm, wanting to get her as far away from my father as I possibly could.
My mother stopped me, grabbing my arm. “Before you do, will you agree to dinner? Please? It’s been a while since you’ve been over.”
I nodded, already trying to think of some excuse I would use later. I slipped my arm free from my mom and pulled Hazel with me down the hallway.
We stepped outside, and she ripped her arm free.
She took a step away from me and crossed her arms. “Let me make one thing very clear.” She waved a hand between us.
“It’s fake. And there is no changing that.
I will not be a doting wife, cooking and cleaning for you.
I will not be going on dates or acting like we are a loving couple in public. ”
I couldn’t hide my shock at her sudden turn of emotions. I knew that Hazel had a viper tongue, but I had yet to see it myself. She had always been a smartass or sweet, depending on who she was talking with. I’d only seen her as soft and gentle.
“I’m not expecting you to.”
“Good.” She straightened her back. “And I won’t be having sex with you.”
I frowned. “Didn’t think that was on the table.”
Her eyes narrowed, and I quickly knew this conversation was going down the toilet. “I purchased a house. It’s small, but it’s away from my folks. You will have your own space to do what you want.”
She raised an eyebrow at me. “Why do you say it like that? Were you expecting this?”
“No, I just figured it would be better than living with my parents.”
“Wait.” She pulled her hand up. “You live with your parents?”
I frowned, still remembering when they showed up. I had been renting a huge loft apartment. It was a large two-bedroom with over 2,000 square feet. I loved the vaulted ceilings and the large fireplaces in the living room. It was always warm, and it was mine.
And then my folks arrived in Belrose and moved in. I found myself fine with it, knowing they would eventually find their own place, but with the marriage and the thought of having Hazel around my father. I knew it wasn’t going to work well.
“My folks just moved into town a few weeks ago, and I let them take over my lease on my loft. I felt it was better than all five of us trying to share a two-bedroom place.”
She didn’t respond, but I could see her filing through her thoughts.
“I already had a key made. It’s completely furnished, yet it’s a little empty. But it’s a space you can call your own.”
“You bought it, so it’s your space.”
“We’re married now, Hazel. Legally, it’s ours.” I pulled the key from my pocket and held it out. She stared at the key, chewing on her cheek with a pissed-off expression. She grabbed it, flipping it over in her palm.
“Hazel, I know this wasn’t exactly planned out.”
“No, it really wasn’t, but you don’t seem to have a problem with it.”
I sighed. “I agreed to this because my Alpha asked me. And it’s clear you need a hand.”
“A hand?” Her lips pulled in, forming a straight line. “A hand is offering someone a ride to work or an ear to listen. Offering to be there for someone when they cry or buying them lunch! Not forcing them into a marriage.”
“You can say forcing like I dragged you down the aisle, but you walked. And you willingly went, Hazel. There was no forcing you into this. You agreed willingly.”
“I didn’t have a choice!” She turned away from me, running her hands through her hair. I watched her shoulders drop. “When this is all said and done, I want a divorce.” She looked over at me. “After the hybrids are taken care of, and the pack is safe again, I want to be left alone.”
I ground my teeth together. I wasn’t sure it was going to be that simple, but I wasn’t going to argue with her. “Fine.”
“Where is the house?”
“East Fern, 135 street. I can drive.”
“I can drive myself.” She started walking away, and I sighed, running a hand over my face. I knew that this was going to be a big task, but I hadn’t expected her to be so angry about it.
The next couple of days were hard. Hazel spoke little as she moved into the house.
She took the bedroom upstairs, while I used the one downstairs.
The house was small, with a separate living room from the kitchen.
The kitchen was updated with an island for sitting since it didn’t have a dining room.
The rooms were at least big, the bathrooms were nice with walk-in showers, and there was a jet tub upstairs.
It had a huge yard that the previous owner used for gardening. I always saw animals leaving tracks in the snow. I looked forward to what spring would look like.
I was hooking the TV up in the living room when I heard the front door open. I leaned back, watching as Hazel walked in. She slipped off her shoes and hung up her jacket. She turned when she spotted me, and I offered a smile.
“Hey.”
She looked at the TV and the rest of the living room. I watched her lips pressed together tightly, the anger still a mask on her face. I thought after a few days, maybe she would have calmed down, but she hadn’t. If anything, she got shorter-lipped each day.
“I made lunch,” I said, pointing toward the kitchen. “I left you some.”
“You don’t need to cook for me.” She crossed her arms. “I already told you that. We are just two people sharing a space.”
“And two people sharing a space can leave food for the other.”
I watched her jaw clench together. “Don’t expect me to return the favor.”
I sighed. It had been a long day of moving stuff around, and the last thing I wanted to do was argue with her. “I understand you’re irritated with this entire thing, but I’m trying to be nice and make this easier on you.”
“If you want to make it easier on me, then leave me alone.”
I ground my teeth together and bite my tongue. I could hear her retreating up the stairs, and her door slammed shut. I sighed aggressively and turned my attention back to the TV.
I spent the afternoon going through my framed artwork. I started hanging them in the hallway and in the living room. I had taken up photography as a hobby. I soon found I enjoyed the quiet and the long hours it took to take that perfect picture.
I took a step back, staring at the collage. I’d been all over the world when I wasn’t working. I had photos of rare animals and people I had met. I knew their names, and I sent letters every once in a while.
I couldn’t help but smile at the memories. I never planned to stay in town like the others were going to. I spent more time traveling around than I did at home anyway. That was why I rented. I didn’t want to stay.
I figured once everything was settled and the hybrid issue was resolved, I would take another trip. I wasn’t sure if we’d still be a team by the time this was done. It was clear they were all going to stay here, and I was pretty sure that meant giving up their roles with the special forces.
I shook the thought off, not wanting to think about the possibility of working with a different team. That Brandon might not be my leader in the future.
“I’m going out.”
I turned to find Hazel pulling on her shoes and jacket. She was wearing a long black dress, and her hair was pulled up in a high pony.
“Where are you going?” The words came out before I could even think about the question.
I watched her pause for a moment before she crossed her arms. “Out, not that it’s any of your business.”
I wiped my hand over my face and tried to take a deep breath. “I was just asking because I wondered if you were going to be home for dinner.”
“I don’t need you to cook me dinner.”
“Jesus, Christ, Hazel! I’m being nice! Stop acting like everything I’m doing is a personal attack on you!” I snapped, throwing my hands up. “I am trying to be a considerate person, but you are behaving like a spoiled brat every time I do.
“And I told you to just leave me alone! So, why don’t you just do that!” She grabbed her purse, storming out the door. It slammed shut behind her. I watched as one of the pictures next to me shook and fell free from its hook. The glass shattered on the ground, scattering across the room.
I ground my teeth together, wondering if I had bitten off more than I could chew, agreeing to this.