After dinner was finished, Beau walked Ash to his door. He was quiet but grinned like a cat with its caught prey. Beau was definitely showing sides of himself that Ash had never seen before. And that didn't seem like a good side of him to be shown. Knowing his friend could voice a murderous plot, scared Ash.

"Goodnight, Ash. I know I tease you about reading so much, but maybe you could read me something tomorrow. I think it could help me understand why you like reading so much,"

"I'd like that," Ash replied.

"Well, I hope you sleep well," Beau said before bowing his head. His eyes came up and lingered a moment on Ash's face before he turned and walked away. Unsure whether Beau would appreciate his reading or not, he was about to open the door to his room when he angled toward Tristan's study. The light was leaking from the inside through a crack in between the door and frame. Should he interrupt the alpha?

Once Beau was definitely out of sight and earshot, Ash turned and walked over to the study's door. A soft rapping on his knuckles on the wood presented the omega with Tristan telling him to enter.

Tristan was bent over a desk, signing papers and going through his books by the look of it. Ash almost felt guilty for interrupting now.

"I wanted to check in with you before bed," his words were soft. Ash didn't want to break the peaceful moment for Tristan, but he had to say something. The alpha finished his writing before placing the fountain pen down.

"That makes me happy," he replied. He was still looking over the document when Ash entered the room a bit more.

"I know you can't tell me what your curse is, or anything about it really. But I have a question. It's been on my mind a bit," he started. Ash felt like a child. He was trying to find clues and get answers in a sneaky way that probably undermined the whole point to breaking the curse. But Ash wanted to know.

"Once I break the curse, will you be happy? With me and a life with me?"

It was an important question. Probably the most important question he could ask. And when Tristan frowned, Ash felt his heart leap to his throat. Was he going to hear the brutal honesty of this arrangement? Was there a moot point to all of this?

"I don't see why we can't be happy together. Happiness in a marriage depends on both people involved. So shouldn't you be asking yourself the same thing? Curse or not, shouldn't you consider whether you could be happy with me? I'm sure that's why you initiated your search for a replacement, correct?"

That was a direct hit to his heart. Ash knew that was partially true. It had more to do with his freedom to choose and have the life he wanted over what he was forced into. However, he could choose to marry Tristan willingly. He could want the alpha in a marital manner. If he imagined his future and were happy in it, would exactly would it look like? That was a question Ash found he couldn't answer right now.

"You have a point. I guess I have to think some more," he replied. 

Tristan's expression softened as he stood from the chair. The alpha moved around the desk, taking quick and long strides over to Ash that still felt drawn out and deliberately slow. When he stopped in front of Ash, he ran his fingers through Ash's soft blonde hair. His eyes raked over the face of his betrothed, etching every feature Ash had into his mind. Tristan was turning out to be quite the romantic in Ash's perception of the alpha.

"I believe you will find the answer. You just need to be patient. In the meantime, we should probably not bathe together again. Best not to tempt ourselves." 

To which, Ash let out a singular giggle. It only took a moment to pass after the sound before he bit down on his bottom lip out of embarrassment.

"You're extremely cute like this," Tristan whispered as he reached for Ash's left hand and brought it to his lips. Once again, warmth bloomed through Ash's body as a quiet whimper came from the omega.

"I look forward to your decision." Tristan lingered for a moment, holding Ash's hand in his after standing up more from his bent position. His thoughts were starting to cloud. Ash had a little thought of confusion, about how this was all coming together for Tristan so quickly. Should it be suspicious? He wanted to trust the alpha as his instincts told him he could. The nagging thought was still present though and Ash chewed on his bottom lip now. Was this unease from Tristan, or was it linked to someone else entirely? Ash worried it was the latter.

"Does something trouble you? I can feel your wariness."

He was startled out of his thoughts and looked up at Tristan with a dumb expression. Ash must have drifted off to his negative thoughts for too long if the alpha was noticing.

"Oh, no. I'm at odds right now, that's all." his words were hesitant, and unsure if telling Tristan was the right thing to do right now.

"You know you can talk to me."

"I know, it's just… hard to bring up some things. I'm worried about what my decision is and if I'll find a replacement, what Beau will do if we don't find one," he mumbled. But it was too late. Ash had almost spilled the beans.

"What does Beau have planned? If he is a threat to you, I can have him removed from the premises." Tristan offered. It was made out of concern but Ash couldn't tell Tristan it was his safety that was in question. Ash worried that Tristan may hold resentment toward him. Then again, he would do so if Ash didn't tell him…

"I want to be honest with you, but Beau wouldn't hurt me. He does think he can take you if need be though." his words were slow. Deliberately trying to appear vague was the only way Ash could think of to keep Tristan from placing Beau in jail for preconceived murder. Granted, Beau hadn't tried anything yet.

While the omega fretted over Tristan's safety, Tristan on the other hand beamed wide and laughed heartily. His hand was still holding Ash's and he tugged the omega closer to his body while picking up the other hand. He started to reply with a reassuring squeeze.

"He can try."

It was apparent to Tristan that Ash still had no idea what he was. Sure, he had only hinted at being a majestic shapeshifting creature, but he had thought his hints were obvious enough.

"Well, it reassures me a little to know you're confident in your abilities." Ash teased lightly. Whatever reason Tristan had for being confident wasn’t the point. Ash felt reassured that the alpha wasn’t easily taken out. Although, he did wonder just how far Tristan believed Beau’s plans to go…

The feeling of Tristan’s hand on his cheek had Ash looking up. They were so close as the alpha released his hand to cup his face tenderly.

“I’ll be alright,” his voice was more firm. The touch combined with the firm voice made Ash feel safe. In all honesty, it was Tristan he should be worried about and yet the alpha was reassuring him of his safety. It was a sweet moment between them and Ash felt as though he could melt right then again there.

“Good,” Ash said with a soft sigh. His face softened its expression before he beamed at the other. The immense relief he felt eased the moment they were sharing.

“One might believe your worry for me to be developing feelings,” Tristan looked proud as he said this. It wasn’t a smug expression, appearing more like a proud animal with its mate. The way that he even looked at Ash felt predatory and made him want to nuzzle into that hand on his cheek. But Ash didn’t. The omega didn’t want to give him the wrong impression.

“I wouldn’t say that. It’s more of a conscience reaction. If we do end up marrying, I wouldn’t want to be a widow so easily,” he giggled at the end of his statement. Being a widow wouldn’t be good. He may be betrothed to Tristan, but there was no way he could run the place. Ash could barely manage his own life, let alone that of Tristan’s land.

“Ah, so you’re thinking I’d die so easily.”

“What? No. I’m saying I care, but not in the way you think.” Ash said with mild annoyance as he looked away. Tristan laughed at his reaction and brought his face back by Ash’s chin to look into his eyes.

“I’m teasing you.” his words were a caress against Ash's skin and made the omega want to lean up and kiss him. But he knew it wasn't proper. Maybe he was reading the moment wrong, but he could feel the tension between them. It was a yearning on Ash's part that he could only hope the alpha felt as well.

Tristan let out a hum with a glance down to Ash's lips as the omega licked them. He had to know what Ash wanted. However, there were a ton of factors to consider as to why they shouldn't kiss right now. The biggest foreseeable problem is Beau. There would likely be hell for Ash should the other alpha find out. Instead, Ash looked away as his head tilted down and away. Tristan didn’t think Ash should ever look away, but the alpha didn’t express this sentiment.

“I should go,” Ash announced before stalling. Neither of them moved though and instead Tristan’s thumb caressed the omega’s cheek.

“I can’t wait for the day you’re mine. Should it come to pass,” his voice was the barest of whispers and Ash almost missed the words. His head immediately picked up though, looking at Tristan with wide-eyed shock. Did he really want him as a mate so badly? There was the curse to consider, but Tristan wouldn’t use him just to extend his life… Or so he hoped.

"I should go to bed now," he stammered, feeling a little awkward because of the admission. Ash wasn't the type to let fancy words affect him. Tristan seemed to know the right buttons to push though. And it was working in his favor it would seem.

"Good night and sweet dreams, Ash," Tristan's gaze lingered on his face and I feel my cheeks begin to burn. Turning immediately away from the alpha, I walk out of the room and toward my own at a breakneck pace. Once behind the door, my chest heaving from exerting myself; I realize that this was a very dangerous game to play. I can't lead Tristan on and lie to Beau at the same time. I would fail at both most definitely. But I also can't just abandon my chance of freedom either.