They sat in silence together for a half hour, watching as the sun set outside and the dark sky pulled up over the horizon. It was tranquil and left Ash feeling better about what they'd talked about. It wasn't perfect, but what in life was honestly perfect? Everything had flaws, and as Tristan had pointed out before, he had yet to see Tristan's benefits. The comfortable feeling that was seeping into his shoulders made him relax even further. This was nice. Not that he would tell the alpha.

"Do you have anything else you'd like to know?" Tristan's voice was a soft whisper as if it would break the moment if it were louder. Ash allowed his eyes to drift over to the alpha and a timid smile came to his lips.

"What happened to your previous marriages?" 

It was a valid question and one that Tristan found complicated to answer. Ash watched as the other male licked his lips and swallowed in an apparently nervous manner. Was it a difficult topic for him?

"They died. My first wife was a beautiful omega with the best cooking skills. We were married young though, barely old enough to know what marriage should be. She died during childbirth. And in my pursuit to find answers, I would become entangled with a witch. She was my second wife. But that marriage was nothing like the first. Where I could feel some love toward my first wife, I felt an obligation to my second.

"Clara, my second wife, was a blood witch and did the unthinkable to conceive a child for her coven: she cursed the one thing she loved most which in this case was me. Sadly, she also died during childbirth. I thought I understood the curse and what it entailed. What I had to do to succeed and live a pleasant life, I would marry once more. But the curse stopped any chance of love as she… Well, she burned up on our wedding night. Clara's coven came seeking revenge and took my third wife from me."

The entire time that Tristan spoke, Ash could feel the sorrow in his words. It must have been incredibly difficult to go through so much pain. To lose a love, be cursed by the next, and then lose the third chance. Ash wasn't concerned for his safety right now and instead reached out to place a gentle hand on Tristan's knee.

"So I will break the curse for you?" Ash asked quietly. His small smile made the alpha smile in return, although his was saddened.

"If things go according to plan, yes. You are able to break it, but I can't tell you how. If I do, it won't work." his eyes lowered to the hand on his knee and a longing look came to his face. Tristan brought his hand down and brushed his fingers against Ash's. It was a small gesture but one that made Ash's cheeks grow hot. 

Now that he knew more of the reason behind the marriage, did it change his plans? To be quite honest, it didn't completely. Ash had a better grip on why Tristan needed someone like him, but that didn't mean he was going to throw his life away just to save the alpha. If anything, it made his resolve to find the perfect replacement even stronger. It couldn't be just anyone. They may have gotten off to a rocky start, but Ash felt that no one should suffer as Tristan had.

"I know you think I can do it, but what if I'm still skeptical? What if I'm not what you need?" 

"You shouldn't worry about that. Everything happens as it should."

It wasn't the answer he was looking for though. If he failed to break Tristan's curse then what would happen to him? Ash felt more stressed now than he had when he'd been forced into this arrangement. Pulling his hand back, Ash wrapped it once more around his knees.

"I'm not saying I care, but I do worry." There was silence as Tristan considered the words. Was Ash coming around to the idea of their marriage? The alpha certainly had hope that this would work out for the better.

He was just about to say something else when the doors were slammed open and Beau walked in. Ash was startled by the loud sound of the wooden doors slamming against the wall and stood from his sitting position in the bay window. Tristan on the other hand let his eyes flutter in an annoyed way before he rolled them over to Beau.

"Can we help you?" he asked with cold indifference.

"I'm here for Ash. Wouldn't want anything indecent to happen out of wedlock."

Such an outdated reason to chaperone this moment, but Ash looked back at Tristan with an apologetic frown. Beau was a lot for some people to handle. While he was like a puppy dog that followed Ash around, he was also a rabid pack animal to anyone who threatened the omega. And Ash could see how the other alpha would perceive a forced marriage to be a threat.

"It's late anyways. I should probably get ready for bed." Ash offered. Beau nodded his head and made a motion with his hand to beckon his friend over. Beau wrapped his arm around Ash's shoulders as he made his way slowly toward the door.

"Sleep well, Ash. Sweet dreams." Tristan called out as Beau shot him another icy glare from over his shoulder.

Beau scoffed once they were out of earshot and walking down the hall.

"What bullshit. He is using you and yet you get cozy with him." Beau's words almost sounded like an accusation. Ash looked up at his face before his eyes looked at the floor as they walked. He had to admit, it wasn't a good image. He was trying to get out of the marriage and a sad sob story had him questioning his life. Beau was right about one thing, Tristan was using him for something. Even if it was for a noble cause, it was still wrong.

"Did you find anything in town?" he asked in an attempt to change the subject. Beau ground his teeth for a second before letting the subject change go. 

"Sure did. There should be someone in the next town over. I have to go check it out to be certain, but my search has given a lead. Well, sort of. It's only a rumor that there's a healer in the next town that's a unicorn. No one knew much else about them though. Let's hope they're an omega and unmated."

That was huge news, even if it was a conditional lead. Ash attempted to smile but found his arms wrapping around his waist. What about the curse?

"You aren't having second thoughts, are you? You need to come home, Ash. Your mother needs you. I need you," his words were generous and Ash nodded his head.

"No, I'm just a tiny bit sympathetic to what he's going through. Tristan explained a bit about his previous marriages and—"

"Wait! He was married before? Ash, you can't believe a thing this guy tells you! If he's been married multiple times before then how do you know you'll be treated right? There has to be a reason those marriages failed." 

Ash couldn't believe what Beau was saying. He knew nothing of the circumstances. And yet, Ash could feel some truth in his words. There was no guarantee that he would be happy after the wedding. There was nothing in writing that would keep him safe, especially from Clara's coven. Heck, they were probably still after Tristan. Revenge was best served cold and yet they had set his third wife on fire. He was one hundred percent sure they would want more from him.

"You're right. But you know me. I'm just a big ol' bleeding heart," he said with a chuckle.

"Well stop. You need to focus on the task at hand. Don't get close to Tristan. My instincts say he can't be trusted." Beau frowned and looked down at Ash who was still looking down at the floor.

"Hey, cheer up. I'm here to help you get out of this. We can do anything together. Remember when we got roped into kitchen duty in that bakery for accidentally damaging their entire bread tray for the day?"

"... Yea. But I still say that was your fault." Ash laughed.

"No, I clearly remember you nudged me and the tray fell."

"And then you stomped all over the loaves in a huff."

"Well, we managed to get ourselves out of trouble then. We didn't know what we were doing then and we still figured it out. That's my point. We'll figure this out and you can come home. Where you belong."

Ash nodded his head. Beau was right. He didn't belong here.

"Yea, I should focus on the plan," he admitted with a nod. The best plan of action was still to find a replacement. If Tristan needed a bride and could afford to wait two months to marry them, then he should be able to wait for the replacement.

Unknown to Ash was the smoldering look that Beau was giving the omega. He knew something Ash didn't. An ace up his sleeve of sorts. And he'd keep it there until just the right moment to drive a wedge between Ash and Tristan. Like hell he would let Ash marry that pig-headed alpha.