Chapter 4 - Hazel
I stared at the ceiling in my bedroom. I didn’t feel anything. I didn’t feel like I was at home, even though everything in the room was mine. All the pictures Asher hung made it feel like his house, not a space we shared. He kept saying I would decorate, but it was clear he was already doing that.
I knew that I was being a bitch. I was short-tempered and constantly picking fights with him. He was trying to be nice, and I could only push back. Because what happens if I allow myself to open up and accept it?
I wasn’t stupid. He agreed to marry me because Brandon asked him to.
It was a job for him. And at the end of the day, he wouldn’t have done it otherwise.
Asher was one of the four most popular guys in the pack, and everyone talked about how attractive he was.
Asher, being the last single one, I knew that the girls fawned over him.
It was easier to push back than to accept I was an obligation. If I stayed away, getting divorced would be easier. Less painful.
I pulled myself out of bed and threw on some clothes. I slipped out of my room and down the stairs. I scanned the space, but didn’t see Asher. I knew that they had started their big switch, meaning he was busy himself.
I headed into the kitchen and made myself some eggs. I ate in silence and cleaned my dishes. I headed over to the healing center right after.
I parked in my usual spot and headed inside. I was the first to arrive, so I flipped all the lights on and made sure all the stations were set up and ready. I turned the coffee maker on when I heard the back door open.
“Morning.” Chelsey’s chipper voice rang through the space.
“Morning.”
I slipped to the back and froze when I spotted Chelsey standing near her locker holding a huge fruit basket with a ribbon on it. My eyes widened at her. “What in god’s name is that?”
“It’s for you, silly.” Chelsey giggled as she slid her boots off. “It’s your wedding present.”
I frowned. I knew not everyone was aware of why Asher married me. I knew that soon people would start talking, and word would get around. I had no idea what he was saying about our marriage, but I wasn’t planning on lying about it myself. If anyone asked, I would tell them the truth.
“You didn’t have to get me a gift.”
“Are you kidding? It’s Asher. You got yourself a lovely, handsome husband.”
I chewed on my cheek. “It’s an arranged marriage, Chelsey. So, you should just return that.”
“I know it’s arranged.” She set the basket onto the bench between us. “But that doesn’t mean he didn’t do it because he doesn’t care.”
I didn’t even know how to process her words. She knew that it was arranged? How had she known? “How did you know?”
“Jade spoke with me. She explained she wanted to let me know so I would be aware of everything that was going on. That and to help him watch after the pack while the others are hunting. Asher and I will be working closely together.”
I nodded, and she slid the basket even closer to me. I grabbed the top and started to undo the bow. I pulled an apple free and took a bite. I chewed slowly and frowned. “Do the others know it’s fake?”
She shook her head. “No. Uhmmm, but about that…”
Before she could finish, the back door opened again, and Marie walked in with Jill. They were both holding presents. Behind them, I could see Sophia and Whitney getting out of their cars with gifts. I could see the excitement in everyone’s eyes as they came in.
“Well, shit,” I muttered under my breath.
Everyone was eagerly handing me gifts, bouncing with joy. I was trying to hide my horror as they all sat around me, asking me to open the gifts.
“I can’t believe you married, Asher. He is just amazing!”
“He’s so sweet. What a catch.”
I plastered a smile on, nodding my head with them. I suddenly found myself unable to tell them the truth.
“Open mine first!” Jill said, pushing the present closer.
I grabbed the box and lifted the lid. Inside was a blanket that had our initials stitched in the corner. “I sewed that myself. I think I did a great job.”
“It’s beautiful,” I said, smiling at her.
“Mine’s next!” Marie said, pushing a small box toward me. Inside was a small locket with our initials engraved on it. My heart dropped at the sight of it.
“You guys can put a picture inside.”
“Thank you.” I squeaked out, feeling like a weight was pressing down on my shoulders.
“Okay, here is mine. Sophia and I put ours together. And I think it’s the best.”
They handed me a box, and I ripped the wrapping paper. I popped the box open, and my eyes widened at the sight of everything. “Oh, my god.”
Sophia giggled as she bounced. “It’s something you guys can share together.”
My entire face went red as I took in a set of handcuffs and a sex book. I felt my entire body heat up, and I looked at Sophia and Witney, stammering for words.
“I imagine you and Asher have great sex, but the book has tons of ideas that I never would have thought about. There is this one position...”
I couldn’t find words. My mouth just hung open in shock.
“I wish I had thought about that,” Marie said. “I could have gotten you a sex toy. Really spice up the bedroom.”
I close the box, trying to still process what I had opened. “Have you guys thought about what you want? Are you thinking, kids? Do you guys plan on having a ton? I bet you guys will make the cutest babies. I can imagine their chubby little cheeks.”
I looked at Chelsey because I didn’t know what else to do. What was I supposed to say? I wanted to tell them it was fake, but Jesus, how could I after this? They got us gifts.
“I think that’s enough with presents. We need to get this place open.” Chelsey patted everyone, moving them toward the front. “To your stations.”
I started to stuff the boxes into my locker, my hands shaking. I took a few deep breaths, telling myself it was fine. I could just put the gifts under my bed and leave them there. I would never have to look at the handcuffs and sex book again.
After I pulled myself together, I headed out to help. I took a seat next to Sophia as she tried to talk to a pregnant lady.
“I honestly don’t remember how it happened. One second I was talking to my two-year-old, and suddenly the next I was slipping on the stairs.”
“It happens,” Sophia said, giving the lady a soft smile. “I know when I was pregnant, I couldn’t see my feet.”
The lady chuckled. “Thanks.”
“Can you grab me some wrap?” Sophia said, pointing to her trays. I pulled the wrap free and helped Sophia wrap the lady’s ankle.
“Don’t put too much pressure on it when you walk. You only rolled it. No bones were broken. Your muscles will be a little sore, so make sure you hold onto the railing.”
“Oh, I’ll be making my husband help her with moving stuff for a while now.”
Sophia laughed and helped the women get up. She turned to me. “So, how are you feeling? Married now?”
“It feels the same.”
She chuckled. “I hear that. I remember when Max and I were first married, and everyone was asking me that same question. Nothing really changed, though.”
I chewed on my cheek.
“He’s a good guy,” she added. “All of them have been great. Never stopping to take care of the pack. I know that Brandon is Alpha, and he does an amazing job at it, but if he didn’t have the guys, I don’t think he’d be as great.
They help wherever they are needed without treating us like we are in the way. ”
I soaked her words in. When we joined the pack, I spent as much time as I could doing anything but getting to know people. I worked at the bar, but I didn’t bother remembering faces or making friends. It wasn’t until I came to the center that I realized I should try.
But even here, I kept myself so busy I couldn’t learn. I kept my head down and just tried to belong.
I’d seen Asher and Westley here on occasions, but never thought much about it. I could hold conversations, but I never engaged in conversations.
Suddenly, she smirked. “Wow, if you say his name enough, he will appear.”
I turned, spotting Asher standing by the front counter, talking with Marie. He looked charming as he spoke, and Marie was laughing at something he said.
I could see the sparkle in his eyes as he spoke, and I wondered if I’d seen it before.
Had I just never noticed how good-looking he was until now?
He was tall and muscular. Asher always held that calm expression, but when he smiled, his entire face lit up.
He looked like a completely different person.
“Well, I’ll let you go say hi to your hubby.”
I moved, walking toward the front. Marie was still laughing as I got to them.
“Morning, Hazel.” Asher offered me a smile, and I gave one in return.
“What are you doing here?”
“I came to drop off the drive for Marie.”
Marie eagerly waved the drive in her fingers. “Asher did some photos for me of my son’s fifth birthday a few weeks ago. I’ve been looking forward to getting them back.”
My eyebrows went up, and suddenly the photos at home made sense. “You do photography?”
He nodded. “I do it as a hobby. Marie saw my screensaver and asked if I could do photos for her since her photographer ended up with the flu at the last minute.”
“They were amazing!” Marie chirped. “And Lucas looked so adorable in the few shots you showed me. Thank you again. Have some of the fruit from the basket that Chelsey gave Hazel.”
Marie turned, a skip in her step as she walked away. I turned to Asher. “I didn’t know you did photography.”
He shrugged. “I don’t talk about it much.”
“And the photo at home, are those yours?”
He nodded. “I travel a lot.”
“Oh, Asher!” We both turned as Chelsey spoke up from across the room near the storage room. “Can I have you look at something for me quickly?”
“Of course.” Asher slipped past me and headed toward Cheley. Chelsey gave me a smile. “Hazel, do you want to run and grab our lunch order across the street? It should be ready to pick up.”
I nodded, deciding leaving to clear my head was a good idea. I hurried and grabbed my jacket, slipping out the back door.
I shoved my hands into my pockets as the wind blew. I kept my head down low as I dropped the street and headed down the sidewalk toward the bakery.
I headed inside the bakery and waved at Lily, who was running the register. She had a line of people, so I decided to take a seat in the corner booth while she went through them.
I pulled my phone out and saw a string of texts from Gabriella. She asked how I was and whether I was enjoying the new space. I typed out a quick response and told her I would talk to her tonight so we could catch up.
I placed my phone down and glanced back at the register.
“I can’t believe she married him.” Someone whispered in the booth behind me.
I swallowed, feeling my body tense up.
“Asher! I mean, the man is smoking hot, and he married her. I mean, is he blind? He could bag any woman in this town. There are far hotter women than her here.”
I frowned, biting my lower lip. I felt my face growing hot with embarrassment. I took a slow breath in, and I could feel my leg starting to bounce.
“I heard that it’s arranged. He didn’t even want to marry her. He only did it because he was ordered to. How sad is that? Being told to marry someone.”
“Well, I mean, she’s an overweight witch with no powers. Did anyone think he would do it willingly?”
I looked over toward Lily, and she smiled, pointing to some bags. I pulled myself out of the booth quickly and hurried to the register. I grabbed the food and thanked her, practically running out of the bakery.
I already knew how we looked. Asher was a fit, hot man who could marry any woman he wanted, and I was nobody who weighed more than she should. I knew exactly how we looked together.
I arrived back at the center and found Asher sitting in a swivel chair with Sophia and Whitney sitting with him. They were laughing at something he said, and I watched the way they batted at his arm. My stomach twisted up knowing he could have someone better. But he was stuck with me.
Sophia spotted me and smiled. “Hazel! Oh, and you’re back with the food. Yay!”
“Asher, you have to stay and eat with us.” Whitney quickly added as she got herself up.
Asher looked at me, and I knew he was waiting for me to say something. I nodded. “We have tons of food.”
I brought the food into the small kitchen. Asher stood in the doorway as everyone started grabbing food. Chelsey stopped next to him and said something that made Asher laugh. I realized that everyone was comfortable with him, joking and finding it easy to talk to him. Everyone but me.
“Here,” Jill handed me a sandwich. “Asher, do you like beef or turkey? We always get extra in case someone needs more or has to work late.”
“Beef.” He walked over, stopping next to me as he took the sandwich. “Thanks.”
“So, what are you doing today?” Chelsey asked as she took a seat at the small table we had. Marie and Jill took their sandwiches out since they were having the second lunch shift in case a patient came in.
“I’m just getting out and checking in on a few things that Brandon asked me to. Dropped off a drive for Marie with some photos on it.”
“Oh, did she get the photos back? She has been going on and on about them.”
“They turned out really well.”
“Do you guys have any plans tonight?”
“We actually have dinner plans with my parents tonight.”
“We do?” I asked, looking at him.
He nodded. “That is, if you want to go. You don’t have to if you’re busy.”
I swallowed, knowing I couldn’t say no in front of the girls. They would all ask why, and I didn’t want to explain.
So, I nodded. “Sure, what time?”
“Around seven. My mother is making stuffed chicken and salad.”
I suddenly wondered what I should wear. His parents looked like they were rich and had taste. I should probably wear something nice, something that won’t make them think I’m not worthy of their son. I already got that vibe from the wedding.
“Seven sounds fine.”
“Great.” He smiled and looked at Chelsey. “I’d love to stay, but I have some other errands and a meeting to get to. So, lovely to see you all.” He gave a wave to everyone, and Sophia hooked her arms around mine.
“Oh my god, he is just the sweetest! Seriously, you must just love him.”
I felt my stomach twist up, wishing I could say it was that easy.