Epilogue #2
The guys all say their goodbyes before the four of us step outside into the surprisingly warm spring afternoon.
Alex takes my hand while Theo takes the other and, like always, Rhys leads the way.
Harlow darts in front of us, nose to the ground and stubby tail wagging as she goes.
No matter where I go, Harlow is my ever-loyal companion.
Bean has become more of a pasture pet than a riding horse, which I think she’s more than happy about.
Especially when the kids all fuss over her and the ponies and give them treats.
There might come a time when I’ll need to ride her beyond the walls again, but I’m hoping that day will never come and she can spend her days dozing and grazing in the pasture with her friends.
Ketchup is probably in the trees somewhere, building her nest for this year.
Ever since we arrived at Haven, she’s spent less time with me and more time with the other magpies in the area.
Not that I mind, since it means she’s comfortable here and I don’t have to worry about her getting hurt trying to help me in a fight.
Hell, I’m pretty sure she had chicks last year from the high-pitched chirping I heard in the tree she roosted in.
The four of us and Harlow weave our way through Haven, the afternoon sun warming our skin. A few people try to get us to stop so they talk to us, but we avoid most of the conversations.
“I can’t wait to get out of here and have you all to myself again,” Theo whispers as we dodge a particularly pushy older man.
I smile up at him. “Me too. Comfy beds, warm showers and hot food are great and all, but I miss it just being us.”
Alex squeezes my hand. “Soon, sweetheart.”
It can’t come soon enough.
We arrive back to the cabin and set about packing our bags, ready for an early start tomorrow morning. Once that’s done, I slip into the bathroom and get myself ready for tonight before the four of us make our way to the bonfire tonight, leaving Harlow behind.
Alex
Isit back and bask in the fun, relaxed atmosphere surrounding us.
The fire crackles and spits, filling the area with the pleasant scent of wood smoke as flames dance across the logs.
Various residents of Haven sit around it, chatting and laughing as they hold plates full of food and cups filled with liquor.
The sun has just set, making the flickering glow of the fire even more intense.
It took several months for Haven to settle back into the community it once was.
People were understandably cautious, not just of their newly elected leaders but also because they feared another attack.
Which is why Rhys, Theo, Ollie and I spent our time hunting down all pockets of Scourge or Lodge gang members and wiped them out.
All while rescuing those who’d been held captive by them.
It was hard work and heart-wrenching to see how these people were treated, but they’re all in better places now.
And the Scourge and Lodge are no more. Although none of us are na?ve enough to think this is the last we’ll see of a gang wanting what we have or that no more monsters exist after we killed Mark, Elsa and Luke.
But after everything, Haven is stronger, and we’re ready for whatever new threat emerges.
Ollie shifts slightly before snuggling up to my side with a contented sigh.
Rhys sits on her other side, his body relaxed, but there’s still a watchfulness in his gaze as he glances around the area.
Sitting beside him is Theo, strumming his ukulele and singing softly into the late evening air.
A few people are clustered around him, enjoying the song.
The rest of our friend group—Tobias, Rachel and their partners, as well as Anthony, Colin and Andy—all sit around us, some with their backs to the bonfire.
On the other side of the fire, Jerri is holding court with her friends, the sound of their laughter drifting across the night air.
She’s changed a lot since that fateful day at the barn, and while I wouldn’t class her as a friend, things are much less hostile between us.
She even came over to Rhys one day and apologised for the way she’d treated him, which shocked all of us.
While it doesn’t erase how awful she was, it helped Rhys overcome some of his issues.
Laughter explodes from our group as Rachel talks animatedly about her latest supply run, her face flushed and eyes sparkling with glee. Tamsin gazes at her partner with a mixture of affection and exasperation.
“Simon swore he saw some movement in the bushes and glowing eyes, so the three of us go over to these bushes, guns in hand and prepared to get attacked by zombies.” She pauses for dramatic effect.
“Only for a massive feral house cat to jump out and attack Simon’s feet, all while making this loud as hell yowling.
And Simon, like the big, strong man that he is—”
“Fuck off, Rachel,” Simon says from his place beside the bonfire. “It surprised me.”
A couple of people laugh, but Rachel isn’t done.
She grins at him mischievously, a look similar to the one Theo' wears before he does or says something outrageous. “Sure. It surprised you enough that you emitted the loudest, highest-pitched scream I’ve ever heard a man make. A scream that would make any horror film actress jealous. Before the apocalypse, you missed your calling, Simon.”
Simon scowls at her as everyone bursts into laughter at his expense. “You’re an asshole,” he grumbles with a shake of his head.
“Oh, I know, but I’m the asshole who saved you from the horrors of the zombie kitty!” She turns her hands into claws and meows at him, much to the delight of everyone but Simon.
Ollie chuckles beside me as the two bicker back and forth with one another.
The sound warms my heart, and I gaze down at the woman who holds my heart.
The firelight dances in her eyes, making them sparkle and giving her skin a warm hue.
That, coupled with the amusement and joy on her face, leaves me breathless with her beauty.
I still can’t believe this woman is mine. Or that I almost let my jealousy and fear rip her away from me. From this happy, amazing life we’ve built together.
She must feel my eyes on her because she looks up and meets my gaze. “What?” she asks, lips quirked up into a bemused smile.
“Nothing. You’re just so beautiful.” I cup the side of her face and brush my thumb over her cheek.
Her face flushes at my compliment. “You’re too sweet.”
“We both know that’s not true.” There’s a hint of bitterness in my voice. Even though it’s been over a year, there’s still a small part of me that struggles with the things I’ve had to do since society fell.
Ollie’s expression turns stern as she sits up and grabs the back of my head.
“That’s a lie. You’re sweet to me, to Harlow and Bean and Ketchup—when she deigns us with her presence—and you go out of your way to help others here in Haven.
It just so happens that you have a dark side, too. Just like Rhys, Theo and I do.”
I mustn’t look convinced because her hand tightens in my hair, sending sparks of pain and pleasure down my spine. Fuck, I love it when she takes charge.
I never thought I’d trust anyone enough to be submissive towards them, but Ollie knows exactly how to break down my barriers. While I don’t always want to submit, it can be a great way to get me out of my head. Much like I imagine it is for Ollie when she brats and eventually submits to Rhys.
“Don’t make me tie you up again to remind you that you’re not a monster. That you’re more than the actions you take to protect those you love. And that no matter what, I’ll always love you.”
Like always, her words and touch soothe my sharp edges and worries, and I soften into her hold. “I love you too, sweetheart. More than life itself. You are my everything, and I don’t know what I’d do without you.”
I’m not sure which one of us moves first, but in the next breath, my lips are on hers.
Ollie sighs and melts into the kiss, making it easy for me to deepen it.
Our tongues twine together and heat ignites between us as my cock hardens against my jeans.
The bonfire and everyone around us fades as I lose myself in the feel of Ollie’s soft lips and the small moans she makes.
Even after a year of being together, kissing her is still utterly addictive.
I faintly hear Rhys curse from Ollie’s other side, but I ignore it, too consumed by Ollie to care.
She presses her plush body against mine and grabs my shoulders, her fingers digging into my flesh.
We’re as close as we can be with where we are, but it’s not enough.
It’ll never be enough. I want to strip her down, kiss every inch of her perfect body and make her scream my name.
I want everyone here to know that this amazing woman is mine.
My cock throbs at the thought of everyone seeing and hearing me pleasure her. Of them being jealous of us. The thought is enough to make my head spin and my kiss turns bruising as I claim Ollie’s sweet lips.
Bloody hell. I need to cool it before I fuck her right here, in front of everyone.
Although that thought isn’t the bucket of cold water that it should be, even if objectively I know that my exhibition kink isn’t compatible with reality.
With a pained groan, I pull away from her intoxicating lips. “We should stop,” I say, breathing hard. “Before things get too heated.”
Ollie’s hands tighten on my shoulders, stopping me from moving away too far.
Her eyes blaze with a mixture of desire and mischief.
“We could, or we could take this somewhere else.” She leans in to brush her lips against the shell of my ear, sending tendrils of pleasure down my spine.
“And I can show you the surprise I have for you three.”