Epilogue - Gabriella
I woke up to the smell of coffee. I rolled over, slamming into Westley. I could hear him chuckle softly into my ear. “Miss me that much?”
I peeled my eyes open and found him smiling as he stared at me. His arms wrapped around my middle, tugging me closer to him. I felt his warmth, and the sheets surrounded me.
“I smell coffee,” I whispered, knowing it had to be Hazel in the kitchen.
“And I smell you,” he purred as he tugged me closer. My eyes widened as I felt something pressing against me.
“Are you… Westley, do you have a hard-on?”
“Maybe.” He kissed my cheek as he snuggled his face into my neck. “Is that a problem?”
I was tempted because sex with him was always amazing. But we didn’t have time. He had a meeting with the guys, and Hazel was up. I didn’t see her a lot since her kidnapping. She’s become distant, and any change I had with her I took.
“Yes, that is. You have a meeting, and Hazel is in the kitchen.”
He frowned. “Are you telling me you don’t want sex? That’s a first.”
I lightly punched him in the chest. “Shut up.”
He kissed my cheek. “I was kidding.”
He pulled himself up and stretched before he headed for the bathroom.
“Do you want a coffee?” I asked as I peeled myself out of bed—our bed.
Since everything that happened, the bedroom had transformed into a new room. We redecorated it to fit both of us. The room was a deep green with dark brown woods. And the bed had become our favorite spot. At the end of the night, we would lie in bed together and chat about our day. No secrets.
We told Hazel about everything, feeling the need to at least let her know that we were together for real now. But we tried to keep things clean around the house while she was home. The last thing I wanted was her to find us banging in the kitchen.
“Yeah, can you put it in a to-go cup? I’m going to shower and head straight out.”
I gave him a nod as I slipped out of the room. The smell of coffee was stronger, but I could smell eggs and bacon as I headed for the kitchen.
Hazel stood over the stove with her hair pulled back. She was wearing sweatpants and a baggy shirt. She had lost some weight since everything, almost becoming a shell of a person. It worried me.
“Morning, Hazel.”
She looked up from the stove toward me. She offered a smile that didn’t reach her eyes. It switched my heart up.
“I made breakfast.”
“I see, it smells amazing.” I headed for the coffee, making mine and Westley’s. I watched as she flipped the bacon while I screwed on the top of Westley’s mug.
“How are you feeling today?”
Hazel’s hands paused. “I’m fine.”
I placed my hands on the counter. “Hazel…”
“Don’t,” she said, grabbing a couple of plates and starting to place the bacon onto them. “I’m fine.”
“I can’t tell you’re not.”
“And how would you feel if you found out you’ve been unconscious for two weeks while someone was living your life?” Hazel stopped, turning back to the stove. “I know she made a mess of things with Lucia. I know she made a mess of things in my life.”
She grabbed the other pan and started to scoop eggs onto it. I heard footsteps coming down the hallway and spotted Westley. He was dressed already, with his hair combed back.
“Well, I’m heading out. I should be back in a couple of hours. While I’m out, does anything need anything?”
I shook my head.
Westley kissed the top of my head as he grabbed his coffee. He turned on his heels, giving Hazel a wave.
I leaned against the frame and watched Hazel for a moment. She sat at the table, flipping through something on her phone. The light in her eyes was gone, though.
“Hazel, talk to me.”
“I’ve told you I’m fine.”
“You obviously aren’t. It’s been a month, and I’ve given you space to calm down and figure things out. But I’m done doing that. I can’t keep acting like you’re okay when you’re clearly not.”
“How am I supposed to be okay?” she asked, giving me an angry look. “Everything is different!”
“How?” I asked as I moved forward, grabbing at one of the chairs. “Tell me, how is it different? What has changed?”
She fell silent.
I sat down. “Hazel, out of everyone in this world, I thought I could be the one person you could tell anything to. I will tell you everything. I told you about Westley and me. I’ve told you about my fears and…”
“You didn’t tell me about your magic,” she said, cutting me off.
I frowned. “I didn’t right away, but that was because I was scared. Not because I didn’t trust you. You have spoken so little about what happened. And I just wish you would lean on me, or tell me what you’re feeling.”
“I feel like I let this happen!” she snapped.
She threw her hands up. “I got kidnapped, Gabriella. Someone acted in my place, and no one noticed the difference. I’m angry!
I’m angry at the world, and I’m angry at myself.
I feel guilty! I feel so many things that I don’t know what I’m supposed to feel. ”
I frowned. “You know it’s not your fault this happened.”
“I know that,” she said, nodding her head. “But I also know that this could have been prevented. You guys are talking about putting up a barrier now so that magic like that can’t be brought into town. Everyone looks at me like I’m a criminal.”
She looked down at her hands. “I thought I finally found a place for myself here. I made friends with the witches, and I enjoyed what I did. And now… It’s all messed up.” She wiped her eyes. “I just feel like my insides were twisted up.”
I could tell she wasn’t telling me everything, but I wasn’t going to push it. She was at least talking, and that was what mattered.
The pack itself was having a rough time. People weren’t as trusting as before. Everyone seemed to be in a sour mood, and it was hard to deny. Hazel being kidnapped and impersonated flipped everything upside down. I knew that everything was coming to a head and something had to give.
Hazel and I stayed in and watched movies all night.
We ate popcorn, and I tried to be the person she needed.
It felt almost normal by the third movie.
Hazel looked like herself, wrapped up in a blanket with a pillow underneath her head.
I could see the bags, knowing she wasn’t sleeping well.
I wanted to take her pain away like I was so used to, but I knew there was nothing I could do.
I heard the door open and close as Westley stepped inside. He looked tired, and I could smell him from the couch, which told me he had been out for a run. I gave him a wave, and he smiled, taking us in. “You both look comfortable.”
“We’re doing a movie marathon.”
He walked across the living room, sliding into the recliner with me. He pulled me close, smelling like pine and sweat. “That sounds lovely.”
I leaned against him, enjoying the warmth that surrounded us. The movie kept playing, but I wasn’t watching it. I found myself sinking into his scent and falling asleep.
I jerked awake to find it dark outside. Another movie was playing, and Hazel’s spot was empty now.
“Shit, I fell asleep.”
Westley chuckled, still having his arms wrapped around me. “You did. You needed it, though. You’ve been working hard with the others to get that spell up and working.”
I sighed, pressing my cheek against his chest. “I know, but still. I was spending time with Hazel.”
“She actually fell asleep a few minutes after you did. She only woke up about half an hour ago and said she was moving to her bedroom.”
I looked up at him. “Do you think she’s sleeping enough? I’m worried she’s not doing well.”
He brushed some of my hair back. “She does look tired, but I’m sure she’s just still adjusting. Are you concerned?”
I nodded. “A little. But I think she’s hiding something she isn’t telling me.”
“Well, give her time. I’m sure she will come around. I can’t imagine what happened. Waking up and finding out someone was acting as you for almost two weeks?”
I understood his point. But she was my sister, and I knew there was more.
“How about we head to bed? It’s almost ten.”
“I slept all afternoon?”
He nodded as he moved to get himself out of the chair. “If you’re not tired, you did say you wanted to get online for a few hours. You could work.”
He hoisted me up, throwing me over his shoulder. I smiled, leaning against him, having something else in mind. “Or, we could continue what you started this morning.” I ran my finger over his ear, and he twirled us, his eyes darkening as he looked at me. “Oh?”
“I mean, I am well rested, and I’m sure Hazel is in a deep sleep right about now.”
He carried us down the hallway, kicking the bedroom door shut as he got inside. He placed me down on the ground, his hand grabbing at my shirt, tugging me toward him. “I thought I loved you for a reason.”
He kissed me softly, and I pressed my hands against his chest, leaning into him. He always felt at home. Each kiss sent tingles down my body like fireworks.
“Now to the bed.” Westley grabbed me, twirling us, and tossed me onto the bed. I laughed as he landed on me, his hands grabbing mine and caging them above me. I watched his eyes look down at me like I was a five-course meal, and my stomach stirred.
He kissed me roughly, his tongue sliding over mine. I moaned as he pinned me down onto the bed, feeling electricity running through my entire body. We had sex just the other night, but I found myself wanting more of him every day. I never seemed to have enough.
I felt his hands sliding up my legs, his touch hot against my skin. I felt my back arch as he leaned closer, laying his weight on me. His tongue ran over my neck as he groaned. “You are so bloody hot, Ella.”
I felt my face grow hot as I inhaled his scent.
I felt him tug at the shorts I was wearing, while I slid my hands up his shirt, running my fingers over his abs.
He grabbed my underwear, sliding them slowly down next.
I pulled at his shirt from inside, yanking him back to me for a kiss.
It was hot and messy. I moaned against his mouth as he grabbed my hips, pressing me into the bed.