The rest of the day was disappointing, to say the least. Ash had no leads to go from and after the matchmaker gave him no help, he felt lost as to where to start. And while he could confide in Amelia, she wasn’t helpful either. If only Ash knew what Tristan was looking for. At least if he knew what his needs were he would be able to find a replacement much faster.

At least he’d managed to get some paper and a beautiful pen to write his mother with. Now all he needed to do was summarize his situation in a way that wouldn’t have his mother hopping on a train to come and get him. She was too ill to travel right now. If Gregory even got the medicine to her in time. Ash hated the idea of not knowing anything about his mother’s current condition.

As he finished writing up his letter by hand, Ash looked it over with a careful gaze. It was hard to tell his mother of his situation but remain vague beyond belief. If he told her that he was engaged to a stranger after making a deal with a fae to save her life; it would probably send her into an earlier grave! Ash knew he couldn’t tell her everything. And it killed him to leave details out, but it was a necessary evil he would have to partake in.

All he needed now was an envelope and a stamp to make it back home. Closing the door to his room with a soft click, Ash walked down the hall until he came to Tristan’s door. He was about to knock when he heard the alpha quietly from the room across the hall. It must be his office…

He approached the door as it was ajar before peaking into the room. Tristan was on a phone device that he held up to his ear. Ash knew he shouldn’t eavesdrop, but the thought that this could help his cause so as to not go amiss,

“And you’re sure he’s what I need? I inspected him after you left, but I have my doubts.” Tristan said into the microphone piece. Ash expected to only hear half the conversation, but if he strained hard enough, he could hear Gregory’s voice through the other speaker.

“I am sure. I knew from the moment I caught his pheromones..”

Ash pulled away from the door with a shocked expression, his hand covering his mouth to stop from making any sound. Did they know what he was? Was he here because he was a unicorn? Ash didn't know what to say. It should be obvious that there was something suspicious going on. Even though he now had an idea as to what Tristan was looking for, it didn't make finding the proper replacement candidate easier. He couldn't smell the difference in pheromones and most people kept them in check. It also wasn't proper to go around asking people if they were a unicorn. The number of odd looks he would receive made his determination questionable. 

However, Ash moved back toward the door to try to listen further but it creaked then as his hand absently pushed against the wooden frame. Tristan's attention was brought out of the call and he started to narrow his eyes once more. 

"I will discuss with you further, Gregory, when we don't have an audience," he said before hanging up the microphone on the receiver. Tristan didn't look pleased as he called out to Ash.

"Come in, before I rescind my offer."

Ash stepped into the office and saw all the books on the shelves behind Tristan who now stood behind his desk. His eyes felt cold as he gestured for Ash to sit.

"I was going to ask for an envelope and a stamp. I wasn't trying to snoop, I swear!" Ash blurted out. It was clear that the awkwardness in the air could be cut with a knife. Its tangibility was so strong that it had Ash sweating. What would Tristan do to him? Would he be punished?

Tristan pinched the bridge of his nose and placed the other hand on his hip. He looked handsome today, something Ash hadn't noticed until now. He wore a rich purple coat with a pale grey undershirt. The rich jewel tone of the purple—almost plum—coat made his eyes pop in color. This was only more effective in his disdain for eavesdropping.

"It is rude to listen to a private conversation."

"I think it's a minor offense, considering it was about me." Ash challenged with his words. He shot the alpha a defiant look as he tipped his head up high.

"It is still rude. I didn't think you would—"

"Why are my pheromones special? What about me makes me so valuable that you need to marry me to get what you need?" Ash interrupted the alpha and looked smug as he got to the root of the question. This only made Tristan angry though.

"What does it matter? You are bound to me through your own debt. A foolish agreement to a fae, but one you willingly made. Pheromones or not, you will be my bride." his tone was harsh. Ash was about to stand and continue the argument they were having but Tristan startled the omega as he started to hack up a lung, so to speak. Ash's face softened slowly the longer Tristan had his coughing spell. Was he sick?

"...You okay?" he asked hesitantly. Ash had lived with his mother being ill his entire life. His concern for others may outweigh his anger for Tristan. Ash wasn't sure how he'd feel about this if it turned out to be a ploy on the alpha's part.

Tristan managed to pull out a vial from his top desk drawer before downing the contents. It only took a second before he stopped coughing violently long enough to answer him.

"I'm fine. Don't change the subject. I have given you free rein of amenities and the grounds so far, and yet I'm met with insolence. What can I do to help assuage your anger?" Tristan asked with a furrowed brow. He wanted to make this work, it was clear as day to Ash that the alpha didn't want to be bound in marriage if Ash wasn't willing. But at the same time, Tristan didn't offer him the freedom from their deal. This told him a lot about how important it was to get what he wanted from their union.

"I want to be free to marry whoever I want. But you can't give me that."

"No, I can't give you that. I can give you time to come around though. I'm not a detestable man… and everyone has their benefits and faults, yourself included," Tristan said with a chuckle as he thought about Ash's wilfulness and determination. From what he'd admit, they both appeared to be passionate and can anger easily. Not a bad thing but not always the best combination in a romantic pairing.

"I guess I haven't discovered all your benefits… I'll take your time offer. But you should know, I'm working on something to find a way out of this deal." Ash said with an affirmative nod of his head. Tristan let out a deep-bellied rumble of a laugh.

"I'm sure. Our wedding date is a little ways off. You have some time left," he said in a kind tone again. Tristan seemed more pleasant after the vial he'd ingested. 

"You're not going to stop me?" Ash asked with a skeptically raised eyebrow. Why wouldn't Tristan try to prevent his success… It would make sense to convince Ash to marry him if he was truly what the alpha needed. Whatever Tristan's reasons were for going along, Ash just had to tell himself that futile and impossible weren't the same. Even if everyone else thought it was impossible, at least it wasn't futile. Maybe Tristan had hope that Ash would succeed… He didn't seem too thrilled to be marrying him at all. His remark last night after the inspection and his conversation with Gregory clearly indicated that. 

"If you must do this, then you may try."

That answer didn't feel right to the omega. He didn't need permission to try. But Ash gave Tristan a cursory glance before he held up the letter he'd written.

"I need an envelope with a return address and stamp, please. So my mother may write me back." Ash didn't feel the need to clarify what was written in the letter and, thankfully, Tristan didn't ask. Instead, the alpha moved around the desk to produce the requested items before stepping around to hand them to Ash. He mumbled a quiet 'thank you' before he hesitantly paused in the office. He opened his mouth to say something else but turned to rush out of the room instead. He wasn't even sure what he would have said if he'd allowed himself the chance to speak.

Now that he had the letter ready, he would have it mailed out tomorrow morning. He just had to hope that his mother would take his advice and stay put. It was the main point in his entire letter, aside from wishing her well.