Mother

Another few weeks passed and Hazel still hadn’t met Rhett’s mother. It seemed strange. Hazel and her mother hadn’t ever really been very close, but if she lived nearby she would see her everyday if she could. Hazel didn’t want to pry though, it really wasn’t her place to meddle in his family affairs. It’s just that the world can be a very lonely place.

Rhett still wasn’t allowing Hazel to leave the house unescorted. However, Aixa came over for coffee occasionally. She hadn’t grown up in the pack either and knew how protective and isolating mates could be when they first found their wives. Hazel found her keys when she was snooping in the house that first day and thought about sneaking out. Witches really weren’t keen on being locked away. Even though she didn’t really have anywhere she particularly wanted to be, she didn’t like not being able to go there.

As she cleaned the already clean house for the millionth time, Hazel was overcome by the need to go out and do something. The walls were closing in and she just couldn’t stand being inside anymore.

Rhett wouldn’t be home for a few hours still, so Hazel made the decision that she was going down to the little store that she went to the first day. She ran upstairs and found some clothes that would be comfortable. She didn’t look like a supermodel, but no one in this town would bat an eye at her casual look. She wore khaki cargo pants that hung off her hips, a long sleeved waffle knit shirt and threw one of Rhett’s fuzzy flannels on over top. It was starting to turn colder outside and she loved the way he looked in that flannel.

Hazel went into Rhett’s office and dug through the center drawer and grabbed her keys. She glanced over at the picture of his mother then turned and left. She grabbed her bag from the foyer bench and opened it. It’s an enchanted bag and can hold nearly anything. Because of the events in Massachusetts, she kept enough supplies in it to last a while just in case she had to disappear quickly. She found her wallet and made sure she had some cash still. She had a debit card from the council for most of her needs, but the little country store only took cash.

As she was putting it back in her bag, she heard a knock at the door.

She went to the door and looked through the window and saw Rhett’s mother and another younger woman. Her heart started pounding a bit as she looked down over her body, wishing she was dressed a little nicer. Then she smiled and opened the door.

Rhett’s mother looked a bit shocked when she saw Hazel and asked, “Where’s Rhett?”

“Oh Mrs. Cameron, he hasn’t come home yet. Please come in.”

Hazel moved to the side to let Rhett’s mother and the much younger lady in. Janice Cameron was an older woman, probably in her 60’s, but it’s hard to really tell with supernaturals. The younger woman was a tall, leggy blonde woman who rudely looked Hazel up and down and rolled her eyes as she said to Janice, “Did Rhett get a maid?”

Hazel’s eyes widened. Maid?

“I’m called Hazel. Rhett didn’t tell me he was expecting company. I can call him and let him know you’re here.”

“Oh no dear, don’t worry about it. We can wait. Are you finished in here?”

Hazel asked, “Finished?”

“Yes, are you finished cleaning? It does look wonderful. You can go ahead and leave if you want,” said Janice.

Cleaning? Leave? Hazel realized then that Rhett still hadn’t told his mother about her. They’ve been married over a month now. A flash of heat rose through Hazel’s cheeks. She was about to burst into tears or maybe break something, it could go either way. She really needed to get out of there.

NOW.

“Umm, yeah, let me grab my things and I’ll get out of your hair.” Hazel’s phone was charging in the kitchen so she grabbed it from the counter and overheard Janice telling the woman that they could change the place up once their mating ceremony happened. Hazel’s hands began to tremble. What the hell was she talking about? Had Rhett had another woman? Was he still involved with her? Well, obviously, she was sitting there in their house. On the couch where she had done so many naughty things with Rhett.

Hazel felt nauseous and her head spun.

She took a deep breath and grabbed her bag and keys and headed to the door.

“Will you be back tomorrow dear?” asked Janice.

“No, madam. I won’t be coming back at all.” Hazel said as she walked out the door.

She walked quickly to her car and got in. As she started it she thought of where she could go. Her house was right next door but that was out of the fucking question. She could hardly live next door to all that.

Her phone began to vibrate. She looked over at it and it was Rhett. She put it on do not disturb. She wanted to throw it on the ground and smash it in a million pieces, but this is a different place. She may need it.

She blew out a breath of air through pursed lips then started driving away. Away from her new life. Away from Rhett. Away from everything that could have been. As she drove she looked down at that beautiful wedding ring. She wanted to give it a fling but she knew it would bring a pretty penny. She’d hold on to that.

She thought she was so stupid. She married a man who had, essentially, kidnapped her. She married him after a single day just because some ridiculous biological need told her to. Now she was paying for her impulsivity.

Now where to go? There was only one place she knew that would be safe for her.

Savannah.

When she got out of town, she pulled to the side of the road and grabbed the phone on the seat. There were several missed calls from Rhett. She ignored the notifications and then opened the maps app. She had nothing to say to Rhett right now that could do either one of them any good. Nearly 12 hours to Savannah using back roads. It was a backroads and loud music kind of trip.

When Hazel didn’t answer her calls or texts, Rhett immediately went to his home to look for her. When he pulled up and saw his mother's car, it all became clear to him.

He opened the door, walked in and saw his mother and Tammy sitting on his couch.

He threw his keys on the counter and said, “Where’s Hazel?”

“Usually people say hello and give their mothers a hug when they see them Rhett.” Janice said.

“Hazel!” Rhett yelled as he looked up to the loft.

“She’s gone Rhett.”

“What do you mean she’s fucking gone mom?” asked Rhett, his voice getting louder.

“I sent her home,” said Janice.

Rhett ran his hand across his mouth as he stared at Janice. “What do you mean you sent her home, this is her fucking home. And what the fuck is Tammy doing in my house?”

Janice seemed really confused. She stood up and walked over to him. “I don’t know what the deal is with your maid, and it doesn’t really matter. You need a mate Rhett. Tammy would be a good mate for you, she could give you pups. Heirs.”

Rhett grabbed the nearest thing to him, the remote, and threw it across the room into the wall.

“Let me tell you what your little goddamned visit here today did. Hazel isn’t my fucking maid, she’s my wife. She’s a fucking princess and you sent her away like a goddamned servant. And you know what, I’m pretty sure she’s pregnant. You sent my wife and my baby away and I don’t know where the fuck to begin looking for them” Rhett punched the wall. “And another thing, I don’t give a shit about Tammy. You can both get the fuck out of my house.”