I Now Pronounce You

When looking into the church, Evelyn could say it wasn’t half bad for a technically false wedding where the groom didn’t even want to get married to the bride. She had picked the pale pink flowers that were tied to the pews down to the alter, the white runner and the candles at the alter where the priest would marry Andre and Adella who would meet today for the first time. It had taken quite the convincing on her part to get Andre to agree to marry the girl to get her to the school, but she knew he would do it. He had been the perfect pick; loyal, alone and a good man at heart and it didn’t hurt he knew French. She liked the man, he was a little rough around the edges but he hardly needed to be prince charming for this arrangement. All he was needed for was to marry the girl so she could stay at the school and to keep her safe from any harm. In about five years once her parents were convinced the arrangement was indeed “true”, they could divorce and Adella would have guaranteed safety from her power being abused. It wasn’t a conventional plan, but it was the only one that worked at the last minute for the girl’s well-being.

After speaking with the priest she went to one of the back rooms to check on Andre. She had also picked out the suit he was too wear, and the bands they would exchange. Fairy marriages were nowhere near American marriages, but the King didn’t seem to be concerned about how the ceremony was, just that it was legitimate. Evelyn was a bit annoyed that the King had sent an escort with Adella to keep an eye on the couple but, it couldn’t be helped. She told Andre he only needed to play the part in public from time to time and nothing fancy was needed. Adella was expected to be an obedient house wife who tended the home, and besides her classes she was sure that was all Adella would do. Evelyn didn’t agree with this but, she hardly was going to twist the girls arm out of her comfort zone. She checked the time, knowing that Adella was in her home getting ready at this minute. She had also picked out the simple dress the girl was wearing as well. What could she say? She liked to control things. She stopped in front of the door Andre was behind and knocked.

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Adella was nervous. She was scared, and nervous and anxious and petrified and uncertain of what her life was going to be from now on. One moment she was set to marry a fairy prince, to be taken to another village but still her home, her forest where she grew up and felt safe and were around people who looked like her and spoke her language and knew her customs. The next minute she was told she was going to marry some Werewolf man in America, to live at some school and some woman told her she would learn how to control her powers, powers she had feared and hated all her life. It was too much, it was too much for her and all she wanted was to go home. But was her home ever really her home? No one wanted her there, everyone feared her…but yes, it was home and all of this was some strange and foreign land she did not like.

In just a few days she had been in cars and airplanes, things she had never even seen before in her life. She did not speak English and she felt people kept barking English words at her and she didn’t understand a thing. She just stared at them oddly and felt like she wanted to run and hide in a corner. The only comfort she had was Raoul, though he was simply sent to make sure the marriage was real and he didn’t even speak or acknowledge her much, it was still nice to have someone near her that was familiar. He now stood in the corner quietly as she admired herself in the mirror. Evelyn had been kind enough to let her stay in her home for a night, and bought her a wedding dress. It was a simple white gown, conservative, but Adella thought it was the most beautiful thing she had ever worn. And she was going to wear it being married to a complete an utter stranger. She frowned at her image and glanced back to Raoul before looking back in the mirror. After today she would belong entirely to someone else…she would probably never see home again, never see her mother.

Tears pricked her eyes and fell down her cheeks.

Was it too improper to drink on your own wedding day? The entire show was a sham, so the groom figured ‘why not’. Why shouldn’t he drown his guilt and nerves glass of whiskey sitting on the table next to him? The old wolf longed to light up a cigar and inhale the stench to prick his nerves onto another feeling rather than guilt, but now days smoking wasn’t allowed anywhere. He could hardly light up the cigar in his own home without a ticket, not that it stopped him from smoking in places before. For now he only used the smoking-ban excuse rather than the truth – Evelyn would kill him if he waited at the end of the aisle smelling like cigar.

So whiskey instead. He’d find some mouthwash and dab a bit of cologne on before the big event. It would be fine.

The man sipped at his drink before setting it down brashly as he looked at himself in the mirror. His long dark hair was combed back nicely, making him look a little less homeless than normal. His beard shaved down to the bare minimum (since he refused to shave his stubble entirely), and his broad body was wrapped in a black suit that could only be considered flattering. Evelyn may have been a control freak, but at least she made him look decent. Still, the guilty expression on his face was a hard one to mask. Dark eyes glistened solemnly back at him in the mirror as the memory of his first wedding day ran rampant through his mind. His wife, a wolf, had been so beautiful. Words couldn’t describe how the then-young wolf had beamed with joy and anticipation. Now look at him.

Just as he mulled over his dirty conscience the knock on the door temporarily distracted his mind. “What.” He grunted and opened the door with a raised brow. “Oh, ‘s just you, sugar.” The wolf ‘greeted’ Evelyn in a husky voice, his French Cajun accent just a bit stronger with nerves. “Can we get this show on the road or what?” The door opened wider and he leaned aside to let her in. It was early but his head already ached. Was it too late to change his mind about this? In the moments closer and closer to the train wreck, Andre found himself wondering what Evelyn really had done to convince him to marry a complete stranger. It seemed so trivial now in the wake of such a drastic commitment. Fuck it, he was going to hell anyway.

Evelyn could smell the whiskey as soon as he opened the door, and her face just as quickly showed disapproval “Andre, really? Being drunk on your wedding day is hardly respectful. These people think you match the high standards I spoke of you. Not this” Yes, Evelyn wasn’t one to be gentle with her words, especially not with men who were being pouty. Yes, so he had to marry a stranger, but he was a man and she felt he could suck it up and deal with it. It was the poor frightened girl that she cared about and felt was having a much harder time than him. At least he knew this was all a prepared plan, she didn’t. She sighed and shook her head, immediately stepping towards him to fix his tie and dust off his suit “Be patient. She is getting ready, she should be here any minute” She pulled and pressed down on his suit jacket until she felt he was truly presentable, then stepped back and gave him a look.

“Please, Andre, remember to be gentle and patient with Adella. She doesn’t speak English and never left her home a day in her life. She’s frightened here and I am sorry to say, but you are not the most approachable man in the world. Your appearance is intimidating” She checked her watch again and tried not to get irked that things were running fifteen minutes behind what she had wanted. It was just going to be a quick and simple ceremony, so reception or any sort of celebration. They would be married and Adella would go home with her new husband, that’s all that was needed so far to appease her father. As she stood there the priest came over “She is here” He said and Evelyn nodded “Wonderful. Start the organ” She told him then looked back to Andre “Well, as you wanted, it begins”

The wolf wasn’t drunk, per say, just a little buzzed. It was the same as most people who came home at the end of the day and grabbed a drink – he just needed his first. That was acceptable, right? Knowing better before he even saw Evelyn’s face he had already packed for such a scolding. “ ‘Ay, chéri. I just needed to calm the nerves a bit.” It was only evident to those who knew him well that Andre was uneasy. To others he was still a stoic and calm (and might I add dapper on his wedding day) man. Popping a piece of sweet mint gum into his mouth, it quickly washed away any scent of whiskey and he put the glass where it wouldn’t be seen. “I’m not as dead of a man as you think.” Could it be? Andre Louvel admitting he had feelings? Moving on.

Dark brown eyes watched the vampire closely as she primed and preened him. He stood still, much like a young boy watching his mother fix his hair before they went to church. It had been a long time since a woman had fussed over him, and for once the wolf took it all in. He listened to her solemnly as she spoke, then leaned back and put a hand over his heart with knitted brows to feign that he insulted. “Me? Intimidating? What would give you that idea, Evelyn?” It was true. Up until now he had only been thinking about how he would feel to be married to a stranger. The poor girl must have been knocking knees to find out who her strange husband would be. Straightening himself up, he placed his hands behind his back and tried to look a little less intimidating (it didn’t really work).

The amount of emotions that flooded the wolf when the priest announced his bride had arrived made him wish he hadn’t eaten breakfast that morning. Externally he appeared fine, calm, and collected. Yet inside he was jumping. He was dying to see her, to hear what she spoke like, and if she lived up the expectation he had of her being a dull and ugly little creature. (The village people who never left home were trolls.) Too many ideas ran through his mind and he quickly ran his hand over his face to prepare himself before looking to the doors where he knew she would walk through and waited on baited nerves.

“There is no need for nerves, Andre. This isn’t the prom. It’s a marriage to a girl I’ve already told you that you barely need to acknowledge. I will make sure she is always tended too. Do not worry” What was he being so nervous about? It would be like having a roommate, all he had to do was keep an eye on her and help her out with things when Evelyn wasn’t around. To her, this was no big deal, but Evelyn just saw things differently. This was a business transaction that was happening, that was all. Once she finished fiddling with his appearance she rested a hand on his arm “It will be fine” She gave him an even look before promptly removing her hand. In Evelyn standards, she had given him a hug of comfort. Sorta.

When he became sarcastic her eyes became sharp “The fact you look like a mountain man might be it. Even cleaned up you’re hardly prince charming. Your appearance is going to shock her” Where Adella came from men didn’t have facial hair, were not built like he was and mainly all of them had very long light hair. Adella’s was only brown because of her mixed heritage, poor girl, it seemed everything about her had made her stand out in her home village. When he attempted to not be intimidating…well...that just made Evelyn sigh. She guessed the girl would just have to be afraid of him for a while, apparently it couldn’t be helped. Evelyn then walked with him to the alter of the church and positioned him where he needed to stand before the priest before sitting down in the front pew.

Adella could barely keep herself standing up. Raoul was going to escort her down the aisle, and he was the only thing keeping her from buckling and falling to her knees. She didn’t understand what was happening even though Evelyn had tried to explain the ceremony to her. Back home, marriages were bright, colorful and festive. The couple danced together to unite their marriage, there was no church or priest or exchanging vows or anything of that sort. She wouldn’t have even worn a white dress back home, she would have worn green, but her husband’s customs trumped hers and so she had to follow. The veil hid her face very well and it made her feel panicked, like she was suffocating. When the music started she looked at Raoul fearfully, but he didn’t even glance at her and simply pushed the church doors open and began walking her down with a blank expression. He had to tug on her at first to get her to move, but her feet began automatically to move down towards her fate.

At first she looked around the church with wide eyes, then down the aisle to the man waiting for her. Her heart hammered wildly in her chest and she balked under her veil at Andre. He was…he was so….furry. And big. He was very big. And tall. She immediately didn’t like him, she had never seen anything like him and he looked like he could kill her with his bare hands. Not anything like Raoul and the other men back home, who were shorter, thin and pale. Evelyn smiled at her encouragingly but Adella didn’t feel encouraged at all. She felt like turning around and running out of the church, but Raoul’s grip was tight on her as if he knew what she was thinking. He took her to the alter before the priest and Andre and left her there to stand before her soon to be husband, the music coming to a gentle stop. She turned better to face him and look at him behind the veil, but then quickly dropped her gaze fearfully, not knowing he couldn’t see her very well.

As the priest began the ceremony, tears filled her eyes but she forced them to not fall. She couldn’t understand anything he was saying, it was just blabbering to her and that just made the feeling to sob worse. She kept glancing up to Andre to watch him, trying to figure out what kind of man he was but she couldn’t see much to decipher in him. This man she was marrying. She was going to spend her life with him, her very long life, and was going to sleep in a bed with him and have children with him and she would never be free again. From now on she was his, his property, she had to do what he said when he said it and her happiness would never matter again, though really it never had to begin with. She was snapped out of her thoughts when she heard the priest say her name “Do you, Adella-“ He paused, used to saying a last name, but fairy didn’t bother with last names. He cleared his throat “Adella, take Andre Acelin Lovel to be your lawfully wedded husband, to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish; from this day forward until death do you part?” Adella blinked and looked confused, not understanding what he was asking her. She looked to Andre confused then over to Evelyn discreetly. Evelyn frowned and leaned forward “I do” She whispered loudly to her “Say I do”. Adella pursed her lips and looked back to the priest “I…du?” She said hesitantly.

The priest followed the same with Andre then beamed at the couple “Under the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride”

Wolves had different customs. Sometimes there were arranged marriages in the older days, and a female from a pack far away may come to wed the alpha to keep his line going. Yet in the French Quarter Pack of Louisiana such a thing had been rare. It hadn’t happened in Andre’s life time, and his first wife had been out of love. Nicolette had been a very shy young wolf in a neighboring pack, yet had a boldness to her that led her and a few other girls straight into their territory. From the day he met her Andre had been in love. This wasn’t marriage. This was a show and a contract to keep an interesting gift signed to the school, and he had to engrave that in his mind. It was the term ‘marriage’ that was throwing him off. The suit, the tie, the white gown that would come down the aisle. It was all throwing him off, and he had to submerge the hopeless romantic in him even further in hopes that it would drown.

The comment about prince charming made Mr. Louvel snap back to reality. He cocked his head to the side and belted out a laugh, shaking his head as he finished. “Perhaps then for the next marriage I’ll wear the king’s clothing and try to fit the part better for you, Evie.” Never one to back down, there was always a part of Andre that liked to test the vampire. Even as she escorted him to the front of the church he took his time, then adjusted his own suit.

Try as he might, Andre could not keep the curiosity off of his features the moment he saw his ‘bride’. Chocolate eyes lit up with an innate charisma and peaking curiosity, and every muscle in his body tensed. The wolf within him perked up quite interested in the she-wolf that entered the room. Against all odds a smile lit his features, creasing his dimples and sparking in his eyes that he was entirely unaware of. The priests words were merely background noise as he watched his ‘bride’ and the man that guided her. When it finally came time to say ‘I do’ he tilted his head to the side in a very canine-like manor, forgetting her lack of English then quickly composed himself and repeated when the priest asked him to. “I do.” As excited and quixotic as he was the words still felt guilty.

‘Kiss the bride’? Oh fuck. Well, in his younger days he had rummaged through every bar and brought home countless women. This was no different… right? Hopefully Evelyn could feel the dirty look he wanted to give her. It should have been radiating back to her. The man reached for the veil and lifted in gingerly, and froze as he admired her face. “Tu es belle.” The words came out quietly to her before he touched her face gently and leaned down to kiss her quickly. In that brief moment the memory of his first wedding flashed through his mind. In the woods only lit by a fire, he had picked Nicollette up off the ground to kiss her. The wolves around yipped and howled, and music began to play. Yet the church was quiet and as he leaned back the mix of emotions had him puzzled. He glanced to the priest, then to Evelyn, and finally smiled back at his bride. Now what?

When he lifted the veil, Adella was absolutely frozen. She didn’t know what was happening now, but she tried to remember what Evelyn told her. Her husband was to lift her veil and kiss her…right, this must be the part. But she didn’t want to kiss him, not be the scruffy hair on his face. She stared at him with teared filled eyes she had tried to blink away and couldn’t help to show the fear and uncertainty on her face. But when he called her beautiful she was surprised, she had never been called that before and had never perceived herself as such. She almost shirked back when he touched her, she twitched a bit, but knowing Raoul was watching her and knowing he would report everything back to her father she forced herself to be still as he leaned down and gave her a quick kiss. She didn’t even attempt to kiss him back and when he moved away her eyes looked down to stare at the floor. She was married…and so very unhappy.

Evelyn smiled and stood, gently clapping and came over to them “Congratulations” She kissed Adella on both her cheeks then glanced back as Raoul came up as well from where he was standing off to the side. “Ils sont maintenant mariés?” They are now married? He asked and Evelyn nodded “Oui” Yes She said simply. Adella looked to them with a slight frown then back to her husband…husband. He was her husband. It made her heart beat fast and her stomach churn just thinking about it. “Que faire maintenant? Y a-t-il de plus à la cérémonie?” Now what? Is there more to the ceremony?” He looked between Adella and Andre as if he was scrutinizing them under a microscope. Evelyn looked to Andre calmly “No. Now, he may do as he wishes. Taking her home is a good idea, for her to see where she will live. Give them time to know each other.” But the way she looked at him told him that was exactly what she wanted to do, she wasn’t suggesting.

Raoul snorted “You mean, to consummate the marriage” He said bluntly. Evelyn ‘s lips pursed together so thin it was a miracle she didn’t outright smack the man from her obvious aggravation of him. She simply crossed her arms and nodded curtly to appease Raoul, watching Adella. Hearing Raoul made her advert her eyes permanently to the floor, a dark blush on her cheeks and her whole body tremble.

((I switched to italicize to show there talking in French lol))

The tears in his wife’s eyes almost soothed Andre. Not in some sick way, but to know that she was just as uneasy about this as he was held some comfort. At least she wasn’t some giddy little thing who was just dying to wed a husband and be overly charismatic and bubbly about it. She would probably leave him alone, just like Evelyn said. That was good… wasn’t it?

It had been a while since Andre spoke French, but he picked up what they were saying rather quickly. If only they didn’t sound so proper, or had more of a southern drawl to their accents he could understand them. Or perhaps if he hadn’t had two glasses of whiskey before this he would have been shaper. Instead he simply forced a small smile on his face and tried to look at the man and Evelyn, but found himself stealing glances at his new bride. Never before had he felt like such a pet to someone, and been so lost as to what came next. There was more whiskey at home and that was ontop of his list.

Listening idly while mulling over his own thoughts, he perked up when Evelyn said he was to take her home. She had been over this with him before but the reality of it all would still take some time. He would need to buy more pink things… or some flowers or something. Right now his home was very bachelor-like (to him, but to others it would bode well for a couple) and he thought he should have bought flowers for her before the ceremony. Oh well, it would be an excuse to get some space from her.

It was only when the man mentioned consummating the marriage that Andre looked surprised, and quickly whipped the look off his face. He ran a hand over his hair and forced a small, sheepish laugh, like he planned on enjoying it or being gentlemanly with her… whatever the man needed to hear so that he wouldn’t be scrutinized any more. He offered his hand out to Adella, giving her a comforting look rather than that of a man expecting to bone her once they got home. “Mon épouse ... Je vais vous montrer notre maison.” My bride… I’ll show you our home. He stepped down from the alter and kept his hand ready to take hers – if she would have it. The girl seemed to be reluctant to touch him at all. Perhaps he really wasn’t prince charming.

Adella would have preferred to have a few minutes to go somewhere alone and cry her eyes out, but she knew privacy was dead and gone now that she was married to this….bear of a man. He seemed to be actin g polite enough, calm and quiet, but that didn’t mean a thing. Didn’t mean he wasn’t cruel and degrading and a horrible monster. He was a Werewolf, and all she had ever heard from her step-father and other fairy were Werewolves were hungry, unmanageable wild beasts that had short tempers and would quickly swipe your face off if you even looked at them wrong. Would he hit her? She could take harsh words, her village would talk harshly to her at times, but abuse? She didn’t want to be physically harmed, she was very afraid of pain. Evelyn had spoken wonders about him, but she had heard the same speech about the prince she was first to marry back home. He had been made to be so glamorous when she knew he was a whiny little baby. So she didn’t trust anything she had learned about Andre.

She had gotten lost in her thoughts again but jolted when she was spoken to again. She looked up at Andre meekly and then to his hand. His large, rough hand that she didn’t really want to touch but again, he was her husband and she was never to refuse him. She watched his face for a moment before raising a hand and delicately placing it on his to take it. At least he said our home but at this point she was too upset to care about these little details. She was afraid of what she expected to happen when she got home, to lie naked with him in a strange bed and give herself to him. He was so burly and frightening she knew there was no way he was going to be gentle, he looked like a brute. She glanced to Evelyn and the Dean gave her another nod to show her it was alright and to go with him. She stepped down to stand near him, her gaze still adverted.

The entire day had felt like a dream, but a dream he couldn’t have possibly made up on his own. Andre felt he was having a bad trip. Drugs strong enough for a wolf were hard to come by, but in the darker days after losing his pack the wolf had managed a few bad trips. This was similar, but he knew it wouldn’t be going away after he passed out. Oh God, sleep… he only had one bed in his home. Would he have to sleep on the couch tonight?

When she hesitated to take his hand his held his breath, then sighed it out in relief as she put her tiny, soft hand in his. He looked to the vampire and the keeper of Adella, and gave them a false smile. Only Evelyn would know it was false, and it was particularly curt towards her before he gave hie bride a gentle tug and headed towards the car. The vampire owed him, and that was one of the many thoughts his mind continued to play over and over.

“Voulez-vous changer avant de nous quitter?” Do you want to change before we leave? The lycan did his best to sound natural and gentle all at once since the half wolf looked as though she thought he might break her. Then he began to wonder how strong her wolf half was. She-wolves were far less dominant than males, but never this subdued. Nicollette had been – enough about her for today. His heart was heavy as it was.

Once outside he led his new bride to his black SUV. It wasn’t brand new, but it was nice and didn’t stink entirely like some men’s cars. It smelled like an extension of himself, like pine trees and earth. The movements seemed robotic, blurred and mechanic as he opened the door for her and forced a smile on his face. He walked around the truck and ran his hand over his hair before getting in and starting it up. “Avez-vous des choses à apporter avec vous? ... Avez-vous un plat préféré?” Do you have things to bring with you?... Do you have a favorite food? Probably not the most spectacular conversation, but give him a break! Andre hadn’t dated in at least fifteen years (one night stands were not dates). There had been no women of importance in his life where he had to try hard to impress them without them being drunk or stupid. She seemed like she was neither, unless miraculously she had a flask hidden under her dress. Smirking at the idea to himself, he backed out of the church lot and headed towards home.

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Evelyn let the couple go, looking to Raoul. She had made arrangements already to give him a room on campus, knowing he would be sticking around to watch the couple and knew once he left the church today he’d be reporting back to the King. But in Andre’s home they would have privacy away from any prying eyes and she would make sure it stayed that way for Adella’s sake. She didn’t want anything or anyone to mess up Adella staying at the school. She recognized his smile and knew he wasn’t happy but, Adella was a sweet girl and she was sure he’d get over his bad mood in a couple of days and accept the girl being around him.

She shook her head quickly at his question, feeling odd with her hand in his, she had only ever held hands with her mother. She didn’t want to take her clothes off, she didn’t want to be naked at all anywhere near him, though she knew once they got to his home that was inevitable…but she wanted to be safely clothed for as long as possible. Even though he sounded gentle, still she was not an ounce convinced that he was. She kept imagining him becoming brutish once they got behind closed doors, snapping at her and pushing her around. The thoughts made fresh tears sting her eyes and she tried to inconspicuously wipe them away as they started to squeeze out of her eyes.

Her eyes lit up though when she saw the big car. Adella had been in only a few cars but oh, did she like them. They were so amazing! They fascinated her and blew her mind that this, this weird machine ran on wheels and moved so effortlessly just because of a key turning it on. She nodded politely when he opened the door for her and got in, sitting down primly and made sure her dress was smoothed out before he went around the car and got in. She glanced to him a few times but then focused on the interior of his car. She ran her hands over the door, the seats and she even glanced back to look at the back seat curiously. When he spoke though she quickly stopped and jumped as if he had scolded her, looking to him quickly.

She swallowed hard and looked down, wondering how he wanted her to speak to him. Call him a title? Sir? Speak formally? Casually? Some way she didn’t even know how to speak? At least he spoke French, but his accent was so strange! Some words she could barely understand what he was saying. ”I-I brought very little…from home” She started, her voice so very soft and hesitant “E-Evelyn purchased a few things for me…she said she would leave them at your home…” She began to fiddle with her nails, looking down at her lap. Favorite food? Why in the world did he care about that? She didn’t even answer for a few moments as she digested the question “I-I like…fruit…?”

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Everything about the girl was so meek and fragile. The wolf wondered if he would ever break her. If he sneezed while holding her hand would he accidentally break it? If he rolled over her in the night would he crush her? To him she was made of glass, or feathers, or some other delicate thing. She was a little flower, but he was determined to bring her out of her shell… eventually. If they were going to be stuck together for a few years he hoped she would become comfortable enough to not live in fear.

Once in the car he looked her over, watching her touch the interior of the car. Evelyn had mentioned the fairy world she came from, and how out of date it was (obviously – they had an arrange marriage for Christ’s sake!), but it would still take time to get used to how out of this world she was. She didn’t even have many things from home. The more Andre learned about her, the more it tugged on what few heart strings he had left.

“Fruit and what else?” He responded, speaking slowly to try and drown out the Cajun accent to his French. As they drove he stole glances at her, admiring and wondering if all fairy were so beautiful. Out of habit the wolf stretched his arm over the back side of the passenger seat, then slowly recoiled it remembering how nervous she seemed. Best not to put the moves on her five minutes after getting married.

Within a few minutes he pulled into the lot of a small store and went inside, satisfied in knowing he would surprise her since she didn’t speak very much English. “I just need to get something. Do you want anything to drink while I’m in the store?” Still gentle, and still holding back on his Cajun spice.

It was only a few minutes later that he exited the store with a huge brown bag over something that looked like it could either be a bouquet or a giant present, and stashed it in the back of the suburban before getting back in. He smiled warmly at her, the expression reaching his eyes and he handed her a bottle of watered sweetened with fruit. “Here. It’s a long drive to our house.” With that the wolf began to drive the fourty five minute drive to his cabin-like home. Only questioning her periodically about the weather, her dress, and other trivial things to try and break the ice.

It didn’t seem to break.

Through the woods and up the long gravel driveway he drove, then finally parked his truck outside ‘their’ home. “Welcome home, Adella.” Would she enjoy living out in nature? “Is this similar to your home in France?” He hoped she would find comfort in it’s fresh wood scent and warm earth tones. The wolf moved calmly out of the truck, going around and opening the door for her before welcoming her inside.

How did people ever survive blind dates, let alone blind marriages? There was so much to talk about, yet so little actually came out. Every time he tried to speak to her he felt as though he was talking to a doll or half mute little person. She was a strange creature, and yet he wanted to know everything about her. In the car he breathed her scent in slowly, getting used to the sweet and innocent smell rather quickly. She intrigued him, and not only because she was his wife, but because there was something about her. Strange, strange creature.

Once they were home he breathed a sigh of relief. When they were inside he wouldn’t have to try so hard to make small talk. He could occupy himself with other things, but in the car he had felt suffocated with the silence. Outside he could breath, and gladly took in the smell of forest all around them. “Oui, we live here. Hope you like it.” Once inside he lead her around the rooms. He brought her through the living room with it’s high ceiling, through the welcoming kitchen that always held a smell of food, through the small office, bathroom, and finally to the bedroom. Once at the bedroom, however, he skimmed over the tour and headed back towards the kitchen. Even the mighty ex-alpha got uneasy thinking about consummating his marriage with a stranger.

In the kitchen were a few boxes that he opened curiously. “Evelyn has been here and dropped off your things.” Instead of digging through the boxes he began prepping in the kitchen to make dinner, but remembered the package in the car. “Make yourself at home, Adella.” With that he stepped outside for a few minutes to clear his head and grab the package. He paced around his suburban, drumming his fingers along the metal before grabbing the bag and heading back inside.

“Tell me about yourself, sugar.” He asked, raising a brow as he looked at her while opening the package. Sliding off the brown paper wrapping he unveiled an Edible Bouquet with various fruits. Some dipped in chocolate, some plump and plain but delicious nonetheless. Plucking a strawberry off the bouquet he placed it in his mouth, then gave the fruit basket a gentle push towards Adella. It was a centerpiece to avert from their awkward tension. “Enjoy.” Shrugging the jacket of his suit off his shoulders he tossed it over the stool next to the center island and rolled up his sleeves. The wolf moved around the kitchen, pulling out pots and pans and various foods to make a mouth watering dinner. Some wedding night so far.

The most unsatisfying smell in the bedroom was fear, and it tinged his nose the moment Adella saw the bedroom. The wolf could only imagine what their wedding night held in store, but he knew it wasn’t going to be anything sexual. He wasn’t some sick man with a fetish for fear or domination (alright so all men liked dominating – but he didn’t want the extreme) and the scent of her nervousness really wasn’t getting him off. Thus he only stayed by the door for a brief moment before guiding her back to the kitchen. They would stay the hell away from the bedroom as long as possible, and he began to plot out a way he could fall asleep on the couch without being too obvious that he was avoiding her. Andre had a reputation to withhold, after all.

Once they were settled in the kitchen he listened to her pleasant voice as he took lamb and vegetables out of the refrigerator. “But what do you like to do?” He questioned over his shoulder and rinsed off a knife to cut the vegetables. Just as he set it down and turned he saw her expression at the fruit and he laughed. It was a hearty but warm sound. “It’s a fruit bouquet… they cut fruit to make it pretty before you eat it.”

The wolf moved to the stove and started the burners and began to warm up the pans. Having been alone for some time, Andre was used to cooking for himself and had been courteous enough to marinate lamb and vegetables for his bride since the night before. He had been a bit drunk when mixing the marinade at two in the morning, but it would still be good. He was a big man, and had to eat enough food to keep his physique up and running – so why not make the food tastey too? The tall wolf turned to look at his new wife at the center island but found her standing next to him instead and smiled. “Did you need somethin’, sugar? More water?” He pushed his sleeves up a little more. “You can sit down and relax… or you could change into somethin’ more comfortable if you’d like.” He reached out to touch her side gently to feel the fabric of her dress and could only imagine it wouldn’t be the most comfortable thing to wear for long. The wolf then turned back to cooking and dropped the lamb into the pan to let it simmer and tease the house with a honey and smoke scent to make any mouth water.

Never the one to make new friends Andre was at a loss how to speak to Adella. So he encouraged her to speak instead. “What do you like to make?” He asked idly while mixing a few different things for dinner. She liked the woods? Good. She would enjoy it in his home… eventually. She would enjoy being in her new home once she became settled and less afraid of him and the world she got dropped into. He couldn’t imagine what it must have been like to live in such a simple place then jump one hundred years into the future into the home of an arranged husband. The term ‘arranged husband’ made him feel like a disgusting, pathetic fool and he refused to think it again.

“I’m making dinner for us.” He said bluntly, confused as to why she was asking. The little fairy may have been his wife, but she was still a guest in his home and would be considered such until they were more comfortable around each other. He wasn’t going to bark orders at her and expect her to cook, ever, and especially when she didn’t know where anything was. “I started marinating the meat last night… I like to cook.” He watched her as she stood uncomfortably. “I want to make dinner for you.” It was his way of welcoming her.

After she walked away to change he moved a little faster, cooking the food over the burners and flipping the vegetables as they roasted. The kitchen smelled wonderful by the time she got back, and he glanced over his shoulder to see she had changed into yet another dress. Women. Andre wouldn’t have cared if she had changed into some sweats of a giant tee shirt, but she chose a dress. The corner of his mouth pulled up in a smile before he went back to cooking. Finally a moment came where the food could be left and he went to the edible bouquet and plucked a chocolate covered banana off. “That dress is lovely.” He looked her over briefly, then examined his banana. “Have you tried the chocolate covered fruits?”

As a younger wolf Andre hadn’t been a very patient creature. Had he met her when his father was still the alpha it would have been a very different story. The wolf would have been intrigued by her, yes, but mostly talked about himself and whatever it was he was doing that could impress her. Then he would have just swooped her off to the nearest hut or home he could find – hell maybe he’d even have his way with her in the woods. It wouldn’t have been by force, just persuaded after a pint of beer and a pretty flower he’d pluck along the way. Yet now that wasn’t on his mind at all. He wanted to actually speakto her. Evelyn said he didn’t have to bother with her much, but the girl was in a foreign country stuck to a man she hardly knew. It was only right he try and make her feel at ease… Only right? Since when did he care about right and wrong and other people’s feelings? Teaching must have changed him. He blamed the students for his persona now.

His eyes lit up with curiosity when she pulled the box out. It was a trait he didn’t even know he did, but when something peaked Andre’s interests his chocolate, normally stoic or irritated eyes, lit up like a young pup. “Thank you.” he looked the box over, opening and shutting the lid and admiring the craftsman ship. “We have some gifts in my office.” Wolves and friends from the past had sent presents when hearing the old alpha was betrothed, no matter how much he tried to hide it.

A woman who had never heard of chocolate. This should be interesting. Again the wolf’s face lit up and he plucked a chocolate strawberry from the bouquet. A rather romantic notion to feed his new bride, but Andre ignored the stereotype. He held the strawberry up for her and gave her an encouraging look. “It’s candy… it tastes good and melts around the fruit when it’s warm.” After giving her the fruit he licked the melted chocolate off his finger and went back to cooking. After a few sautees and flips he put the lamb and assorted vegetables on a plate for her, then set it on the island in front of her. Hustling around the kitchen he poured her a glass of wine, and a glass of water in case she didn’t enjoy to drink and set those in front of her as well before making his own plate of food. “Is there wine where you come from, Adella?” She had seem so perplexed by everything else thus far, but wine was as old as time. Who knew what her fairy family did.

Wolves had tempers, and for so long Andre had only been around wolves and women of crude nature. Sure had had been around normal people long enough, but it was still something to get used to when someone was as polite and quiet as his new wife. He gave her soft smiles here and there, but his expression was bright at the box. The wolf loved trinkets, and the box was perfect. He examined it, opening and closing the lid and tracing the wolf on top. “It’s perfect. Thank you… do you make other things like this, chéri?” What else was the fairy capable of?

The expression on her face when he told her to eat the chocolate was priceless, and made the wolf smile to hold back his laughter. Poison his wife hardly two hours after their wedding? That would be rich. When she beamed and obviously liked it his smile grew to a grin before he went to fix her plate. Hopefully she would enjoy what he cooked just as much.

Again her expression brought light to the wolf’s face when she sniffed the wine. “Alright, you don’t have to drink the wine.” He said with a soft laugh threatening to change his voice. With most people Andre was not this friendly, but he found he actually enjoyed the fae’s company (not that he would admit that until months down the road). “I have juice, or milk, or whiskey… but if you don’t enjoy wine you won’t enjoy whiskey.” There were other alcoholic drinks in the cellar, but he wouldn’t divulge into that until he knew her well enough to pinpoint her taste.

Soon the wolf sat near her and picked up his fork and knife to cut the tender, delicious looking lamb. Yet just as he looked up he saw her holding the spoon to her meat and stared at her hands as if she was trying to put a diaper on a raccoon. “Mademoiselle, what are you doing?” He laughed, then reached to hand her her own fork but stopped. “Do you eat with your hands at home?” Oh how the wolf in him hoped she said yes so he could start chowing down like a canine. That would be the life.

Andre, who had never really made much in his life save making women angry or a strong pack, was fascinated with her creativity. “Vases out of clay, or glass?” The wolf questioned her not only to get to know her better, but to stretch out the time between now and going to sleep. He figured if he wore her out with questions he wouldn’t have to bother trying to sleep with her. There it was again. The dreadful idea of sleeping with a girl within five hours of knowing her. By the smell of it, taking her virginity too. Not that the idea of snatching away virginity repulsed him, on the contrary, it disgusted him to think of doing that to someone he would have to live with. Someone who he had to get to know and earn their trust. He didn’t want to feel like a pig within such a short time of knowing her, so idle conversation it was.

“Yes, I have water.” She was much easier to please than he had expected the daughter of a fae to be. Pouring her a glass of water, he set it down in front of her before pouring the glass of wine down the sink. The white wine wasn’t his favorite anyway.

Once he was back and settled in his seat, trying his best not to laugh at Adella and her spoon he couldn’t get the smile off his normally stoic or grumpy face. He reached over and took her fork, stuffed it into the lamb and pushed it towards her. “Here. It’s your wedding day, you don’t have to be proper or try to impress anyone. You’re supposed to be happy and have fun so eat however you like, mon cheri.” The wolf couldn’t stand to be stuck around people he thought to be snobbish, so he could only imagine how Adella felt around him. Him and his fork usage, and his fancy fruit and buttoned shirt. Jackass.

“What would you like to do tonight, Adella? Unpack, or go for a walk through the woods?” Anything but bone the stranger. Hell, she didn’t even seem like she wanted to talk to him that much but it was inevitable. They had to at least learn each other’s quirks if they were going to pretend to be married and live together.