Page 8 of His Arranged Plus-Size Mate

“Good.” She straightened her back. “And I won’t be having sex with you.”

I frowned. “Didn’t think that was on the table.”

Her eyes narrowed, and I quickly knew this conversation was going down the toilet. “I purchased a house. It’s small, but it’s away from my folks. You will have your own space to do what you want.”

She raised an eyebrow at me. “Why do you say it like that? Were you expecting this?”

“No, I just figured it would be better than living with my parents.”

“Wait.” She pulled her hand up. “You live with your parents?”

I frowned, still remembering when they showed up. I had been renting a huge loft apartment. It was a large two-bedroom with over 2,000 square feet. I loved the vaulted ceilings and the large fireplaces in the living room. It was always warm, and it was mine.

And then my folks arrived in Belrose and moved in. I found myself fine with it, knowing they would eventually find their own place, but with the marriage and the thought of having Hazel around my father. I knew it wasn’t going to work well.

“My folks just moved into town a few weeks ago, and I let them take over my lease on my loft. I felt it was better than all five of us trying to share a two-bedroom place.”

She didn’t respond, but I could see her filing through her thoughts.

“I already had a key made. It’s completely furnished, yet it’s a little empty. But it’s a space you can call your own.”

“You bought it, so it’s your space.”

“We’re married now, Hazel. Legally, it’s ours.” I pulled the key from my pocket and held it out. She stared at the key, chewing on her cheek with a pissed-off expression. She grabbed it, flipping it over in her palm.

“Hazel, I know this wasn’t exactly planned out.”

“No, it really wasn’t, but you don’t seem to have a problem with it.”

I sighed. “I agreed to this because my Alpha asked me. And it’s clear you need a hand.”

“A hand?” Her lips pulled in, forming a straight line. “A hand is offering someone a ride to work or an ear to listen. Offering to be there for someone when they cry or buying them lunch! Not forcing them into a marriage.”

“You can say forcing like I dragged you down the aisle, but you walked. And you willingly went, Hazel. There was no forcing you into this. You agreed willingly.”

“I didn’t have a choice!” She turned away from me, running her hands through her hair. I watched her shoulders drop. “When this is all said and done, I want a divorce.” She looked over at me. “After the hybrids are taken care of, and the pack is safe again, I want to be left alone.”

I ground my teeth together. I wasn’t sure it was going to be that simple, but I wasn’t going to argue with her. “Fine.”

“Where is the house?”

“East Fern, 135 street. I can drive.”

“I can drive myself.” She started walking away, and I sighed, running a hand over my face. I knew that this was going to be a big task, but I hadn’t expected her to be so angry about it.

The next couple of days were hard. Hazel spoke little as she moved into the house. She took the bedroom upstairs, while I used the one downstairs. The house was small, with a separate living room from the kitchen. The kitchen was updated with an island for sitting since it didn’t have a dining room. The rooms were at least big, the bathrooms were nice with walk-in showers, and there was a jet tub upstairs.

It had a huge yard that the previous owner used for gardening. I always saw animals leaving tracks in the snow. I looked forward to what spring would look like.

I was hooking the TV up in the living room when I heard the front door open. I leaned back, watching as Hazel walked in. She slipped off her shoes and hung up her jacket. She turned when she spotted me, and I offered a smile.

“Hey.”

She looked at the TV and the rest of the living room. I watched her lips pressed together tightly, the anger still a mask on her face. I thought after a few days, maybe she would have calmed down, but she hadn’t. If anything, she got shorter-lipped each day.

“I made lunch,” I said, pointing toward the kitchen. “I left you some.”

“You don’t need to cook for me.” She crossed her arms. “I already told you that. We are just two people sharing a space.”