Hexom

“So what made you run away from home, my dear?” asked Teddy as they continued to ride in the backseat.

Hazel scrunched up her face and said, “My husband forgot to tell me when we got married that he already had a chosen mate. She showed up at our house with his mother yesterday. Neither of them even knew who I was.”

The realization that she meant so little to him that he didn’t even tell his mother was like a knife in her heart.

“Please don’t send me back to him. Not yet at least. I don’t want to see him.”

“I’ll talk it over with my wife. She’s the alpha of our pack,” said Teddy. “You can’t hide from him forever though Hazel. You wear his mark. Eventually, he'll find you or even if he doesn’t, that mark won’t let you go far."

“As soon as I find Haldir, I’m going back to the realm,” said Hazel coldly. She was too hurt to think about the consequences of an action like that. She just wanted to hurt Rhett right now and it seemed like the best plan.

“My father isn’t the kind of man you find, he finds you. And I wouldn't count on that either."

“But, he’s your dad. You must know how to find him,” said Hazel.

“He could be in Savannah, or Norway, or the realm or any brothel between here and there. It’s hard to tell with him. He’s a bit of a rolling stone. He's more the kind of father who shows up for birthdays and holidays. Vikings don’t make for the most reliable parents, Hazel.”

Teddy didn’t seem as impressed by his adoptive father as Haldir was about him. Haldir always just gushed about his children to Hazel. He seemed to be so in love with them. She found it hard to believe that they didn’t have such a great relationship.

The car turned down a long driveway lined with trees and stopped in front of a big white farmhouse. The driver got out and opened Hazel’s door for her.

The morning breeze was getting colder and there were workers starting to decorate the house for the holidays. It was elegant and majestic.

It looked like a scene from an old timey movie. The property was surrounded by mountains and had a small pond in the back. It seemed really peaceful there. She expected Bing Crosby and Danny Kay to pop out singing White Christmas any second.

Teddy carried Hazel’s bag and led her into the house. It was just beautiful on the inside. Not like Rhett’s rustic cabin at all. More proper and formal. There was a huge Christmas tree in the corner beside the fireplace. A beautiful blonde woman with a short,chic bob was currently decorating it in silver and gold trimmings.

When she heard the two come in, she stopped applying ornaments and came over to Teddy. She gave her husband a kiss then said, “So I see you caught our little witch?”

“Yes, yes I did dear. And the Fates being the funny little cunts they are, Mrs. Hazel Cameron just so happens to be kin to us, my love.”

The woman stood back and looked Hazel over. “And how is that?”

“This lovely little lady used to be a Parker. She’s Eliza and Jacob’s cousin,” Teddy explained. “She also happens to be a ward of Haldir’s.”

“Dear God, no wonder she’s in the state she’s in,” said Stella as she smiled at her husband. Obviously she’s not a great fan of the Viking either.

“Your husband will be quite happy to hear you’re safe,” said Stella.

“Well the thing is darling, Mrs. Cameron isn't keen on going back to Alpha Cameron just yet. They seem to be having some marital issues involving a third party,” said Teddy.

“Oh!” Stella said as she glanced at Hazel. The embarrassment grew in Hazel knowing that Stella now understood what kind of man Alpha Cameron is.

“Well you can’t hide here forever Hazel. Especially not with all that going on,” Stella said as she shook her fingers at Hazel’s belly. “You did know that you’re expecting didn’t you? The smell is simply dripping off you”

Hazel’s heart sank. This was pretty much the worst time for this to happen. She shook her head no. "No, I had no idea. I wouldn't have left if I did."

Stella said, “I’ll tell you what, as a favor to my nephew, I’ll let you stay here for a few days so you can clear your head and all. Spend some time here with your family. But you’re going to have to go back to him after that. You can’t keep a man from his pup. It’s just not right. But keeping his cheating ass on the hook for a few days ought to change his attitude enough. You’re going to need to shut off that phone though, he knew exactly where you were when he contacted us. If you’re gonna be a runner, you’re going to have to work a little harder.”

“Thank you so much,” said Hazel. “I’m sorry for putting you through all this bother.”

“It’s not a problem. Come one dear, I’ll show you to your room.” Stella took Hazel upstairs and gave her a room at the end of the hall. "Please make yourself at home Hazel. We're all family here."

Back in the cabin, Rhett was going out of his mind with worry. Every moment that went by with no news was killing him.

He continued to call and message Hazel with no response. Where in the hell could she be? There was still no news from the Hexom family or any sightings of her anywhere. He didn’t know whether to go look for her or stay and wait for news.

The pain in his chest grew and his stomach howled as the acids churned. He had been living off coffee and whiskey since she left him and it was starting to take its toll. He would have to repair more than a few holes in the wall and he had chopped enough wood to last him through the winter.

One night turned into two then into three then four. Same days of no news and no phone calls. Rhett sat at the top of his staircase finishing off a bottle of whiskey. His eyes were tearful as his dirty hair fell over them. Every dream and plan he had for his wife and baby were slipping farther and farther away. He had gone back to Cracker Barrel and bought that costume. In fact, he bought one of each because he didn't know if it would be a boy or a girl. But, it didn't even fucking matter because it was gone.

He rolled the bottle around under his fingers then gave it a push, letting it bounce down the stairs and finally crashing to the floor in a million pieces.

He brought his hand back to his face and wiped it across his mouth then he looked up to the ceiling. “Hazel where the fuck are you !” He screamed.