Who in the hell did Tristan think he was? Ash wasn't just a horse he could ride until he grew tired of it. He was a person and had feelings. To discover that his choice to marry whomever he wanted, was being taken away didn't sit right. Ash stormed out of the dining hall and back to his room.

It wasn't unheard of for omegas to be property. It was an era of discovering and earning freedom for omegas. And yet Ash had never considered what kind of alpha Tristan would be. He'd never asked where his beliefs lie or what his future would even look like with the alpha. Ash had only been here one night and already he knew more than he wished he did. Ash was still under the impression he could get out of this deal. And after Tristan's harsh tone, he was even more determined to do so! How anyone could tolerate the alpha was impossible to him.  Tristan was demanding, entitled, and had probably received everything he'd ever wanted in life. How he could be so selfish with Ash's life was beyond frustrating.

But as Ash allowed his thoughts to fester in their negative view, he realized something. Maybe that was the key to everything and would solve his problem. Even though he didn’t know what it was that Tristan needed from him, surely he could find another omega that could provide him with his ‘means to an end’. There was no way he could be the only omega in the world who could help him! Ash just needed to figure out who to suggest in his place…

Seeing as he had no means of finding another omega to suggest, and he doubted Tristan would take a suggestion of one of his servants, Ash made the cunning decision he would need to go into town. This way he could dig up some dirt about the lord as well as find a suitable replacement.

There was a knock on the door and Ash turned toward it, expecting someone to announce themselves. When no introduction or request came, Ash meandered over to the door, opening it to see Tristan standing above him in the doorway.

“I’d like to apologize for my rudeness. This past year has been a trying time for my patience.” 

Ash crossed his arms over his chest as Tristan tried to apologize. Even if this last year had been hard for the alpha, it was no reason to take it out on him. Ash appreciated the effort and how Tristan could realize his fault for being wrong, but it didn’t change Ash’s plan.

“I appreciate the apology. I have a small request, if I may. Would it be possible to go into town? I’d like to pick up paper and pens to write my mother if that is allowed.” He tried his best not to let on to his other plans. Ash did want to write his mother, after all, so the statement of his intent wasn’t a complete lie.

“I could accompany you. We could make it an outing to get to know one another better. I am honest in my desire to get to know you, Ash. I hope this marriage won’t disappoint you,” his expression looked distant but kind. It would have been easy for Ash to melt under such a painfully torn and yet kind expression. The way his emerald eyes looked saddened by the mention of marriage would have had other omegas falling victim to his charms. But Ash wasn’t about to let some sob story stop his search,

“If it’s okay, I’d prefer to go unaccompanied. But if you insist I have to bring someone with me, could I bring Amelia? I’d rather not be distracted getting my supplies while trying to get to know you as well. Is that okay?” Ash asked while digging his hands further into the crook of his elbows. He fidgeted under Tristan’s disappointed gaze,

“As you wish. I will send Amelia with you to town.” Tristan paused for a moment, about to walk away from the door when Ash bit down on his bottom lip before shouting polite words after him.

“Thank you, Tristan.”

***

Ash had only just arrived in town and already he’d been scheming in the ride over on how to ditch Amelia. The omega was sure that he’d be in trouble when he got back to the mansion but was also sure he could handle himself.

Ash climbed out of the parked vehicle and started to walk down the street, hearing Amelia shouting after him. He stopped walking as he felt the hand on his arm, yanking him back toward the car.

“You need to stay with me, sir. I can’t run after you.” Amelia huffed out as she put her hiked skirt down with a patting of her hands. Ash chewed on the inside of his lip and bowed his head in an attempt at sheepishness.

"I'm sorry, Amelia. I won't run off again. I have a lot on my mind. I would share but I'm afraid you'll tell Tristan," he admitted with much more honesty than he was intending. This was a major wager on his part. If he told the fellow omega of his plans, she could go to Tristan and his plans would be thwarted. Ash couldn't take that chance.

"I'm sure I can gauge whether Lord Ghent needs to know of everything all on my own." Her words were reassuring and gentle in their prodding. They did help a little in trusting Amelia but he was still a little hesitant. What could it hurt though? Tristan had to understand that Ash wanted out of the marriage arrangement. So why would his attempt to find a replacement matter? All Tristan could do is halt him from going to town. 

"I'm trying to find a replacement. I need out of this marriage. I do want to write my mother, but I can't live in this cage, as gilded as it may be. Will you help me?" His eyes pleaded his case. The bright blue orbs bore into Amelia's and he even clasped his hands together as if praying.

Amelia waited a moment, clearly thinking over the situation and how much trouble she may get into before a smirk crossed her lips. She chuckled as her head shook and made Ash think she knew something he didn't.

"Fine. I will help keep your secret. I will inform you that your search is futile though."

"Futile and impossible are two different things! Thank you, Amelia." Ash was ready to hug the other omega but stilled in his movement to pat down his shirt from any dirt. He looked around them with his head held high before a grin swept across his features. Amelia was definitely someone he could confide in. If he had to stay here and play out the farce of marrying Tristan, at least he'd have someone to talk to.

"Can you tell me what Tristan is looking for? He won't give me any hint as to what he needs from me, but if you told me, I could find a replacement sooner." Ash hoped that this ploy to gain her trust would work.

"I cannot tell you that. But I will assist in your search." Her words brought a small pout to Ash's lips. Maybe he needed to work the trust angle a little more before he could get information from Amelia.

"Okay, I can accept that. Do you know where we should start?" he asked while glancing around at everyone walking past. He had no idea where to start, he just knew he had to start somewhere. If only he could tell scents apart more easily. This would make discerning eligible omegas far easier. If an omega was taken or claimed by an alpha, their scent wouldn't be as strong. But with Ash's nose, they all smelled of the same strength.

"If you're true about finding a replacement, you should try the matchmaker." She gave him the hopeful idea and he would run with it. Although, the thought that Tristan had already tried the matchmaker was very small in his mind. Ash was too excited to get back to his mundane life to think clearly.

"Let's go then!" he said with exuberance and the biggest smile on his lips since arriving here.

His pursuit of the matchmaker was short-lived as it would turn out. Ash approached the small building in the center of town and looked in awe at it. If he ever wanted to have his match made, it would be in a place such as this. The interior felt romantic in the way its lighting felt warm, with reds and oranges to the accents. There was a soothing incense burning near the entrance and the decorations made him feel as though he were somewhere more exotic than in the small European country they were currently in.

"Hello?" He called out. There was a set of hanging beading over a door, the light clanging of the stringed beads came as a man exited from the other room. He was a beta, one with a distinct Monroe mole on his cheek. It looked like a heart and Ash had to wonder if that was intentional or if it were natural. He looked at Ash and smiled warmly before his hands made a motioning gesture to come to him.

"Welcome my dear, I'm Harold. Can I get you some tea?" he greeted. His voice sounded like light notes on a piano, twinkling almost. Ash shook his head with a polite, 'no thank you' before he started to feel nervous. This was his first hope, he wished for it to pull through for him.

"I'm looking for some help with a match," he started but Harold cut him off.

"Aren't we all? But I'm confused, you have a match, do you not? As far as I can see, you are bound to an alpha already." As Harold said this, his eyes began to glow from a brown natural color to a bright pinkish-red. Ash wondered how the beta could possibly see his bound status when he noticed the glow of his eyes. Oh, Harold must be a cupid fae. They were well-known as matchmakers and seers of love. A cupid fae could see invisible lines that connect people in their love lives, among other things.

"That's why I'm here. I want to find another to take my place. I can't blindly marry an alpha I know nothing about. I want to marry for love." Ash explained lightly. It wasn't too hard to imagine, although if he were honest, Ash didn't have anyone in mind. He hadn't met an alpha who made him feel much of anything yet. Even his friend, Beau, wasn't on his radar. If Ash were being honest, he'd rather be a spinster and happy alone.

"Who says you can't do both? You could marry the alpha you're bound to and fall in love with him," Harold suggested with a smirk. Ash didn't want to entertain the idea. It was possible that he could try to fall in love with Tristan, but he knew his freedom to do so was more important. Ash couldn't be forced to fall in love with an alpha as he believed himself to be too stubborn.

"I don't think it's possible for me. But if you could help me find a replacement, I would be very grateful. I'm looking for an omega for Tristan Ghent. Could you please help me?" he pleaded once more. It seemed as though Harold's smirk turned to a frown and his demeanor changed. He wasn't the warm and inviting host of love he'd been only moments before. Even the atmosphere in the room changed to that of sad loneliness.

"I'm sorry, but I can't help you. I've tried finding a match for Lord Ghent for a long while. I wasn't successful in locating a match. However, I'm certain you are his match, you just have to give it a chance to blossom." 

This wasn't the answer Ash was hoping for as his face fell and he sighed. Well great, he'd have to find a replacement on his own it would seem.

"Can you tell me what he was looking for at least? Like what type of omega or anything special he'd requested?" Ash asked. Amelia currently stood behind Ash and brought a lone finger to her lips to imply to Harold to keep quiet. But Harold shook his head and looked down to ash with yet another sad expression on his face; regret.

"I apologize since I'm unable to give out such details. Client confidentiality and all. I will wish you well in your pursuit, but wish you would give your love a chance." Harold had a sad but hopeful smile on his lips as Ash nodded his head. He wasn't going to find the answer here, so he thanked Harold for his time and walked out of the shop.

As he stopped outside of the shop's door to gaze around the plaza, Ash turned toward Amelia and asked his question.

"Did you know about Tristan being a client?" It was a simple question, to which Amelia deflected.

"I'm sure you can find someone on your own."

Great… this would definitely take more time than just the afternoon. It was foolish to think he'd be able to find someone this quickly.