Haylie POV
After JC carried me, quite literally, back home, he placed me down on the kitchen chair as if I were nothing more than a bag he'd hauled. I watched him disappear from the kitchen, his footsteps fading into the quiet house.
Moments later, he returned, a soft, warm blanket draped over his arm. Without a word, he wrapped it gently around my shoulders.
"Here, you need to stay warm," he said, his voice low but steady.
"Thank you," I murmured, clutching the blanket and pulling it tighter around myself. My eyes followed him as he moved about the old wooden kitchen. He filled the kettle with water and set it to boil, then retrieved two mugs from a cabinet, spooning in coffee and sugar with practiced ease.
"Why me?" I dared to ask, my voice barely louder than the hum of the kettle. He didn't look at me, his focus now on the fridge as he retrieved the milk.
"What my mother did was already unforgivable," I pressed, my words more firm this time. "So why would you want to save me?"
This time, he turned to me, his piercing gaze locking onto mine. "Because you don't deserve this," he said, his voice warm yet resolute. "And because I don't want to lose you."
His words hit me harder than I expected. My heart skipped, then leapt, but I forced myself to swallow the feeling, pulling the blanket tighter around me as if it could shield me from the emotions threatening to surface.
The kettle's whistle pierced the air, breaking the tension. JC turned back to the counter, pouring the steaming water into the mugs before adding milk. With two steaming mugs in hand, he walked over and set one down in front of me before taking the seat across the round wooden table.
The aroma of freshly brewed coffee filled the room, stirring memories of home. If only I could be home.
"We could have stayed," I said aloud, surprising even myself. "Liam would've protected me."
His name left my lips, and it was like a knife twisting in my chest. The mention of Liam brought an ache so sharp it nearly shattered me. I miss him.
JC's expression hardened. "Haylie," he began, his tone firm yet tinged with something softer, something protective, "if you had stayed, you, your aunt, and everyone else would've been killed by my brothers."
His words hung heavy in the air, the truth in them undeniable. And yet, the weight of Liam's absence was just as crushing.
Tears pricked my eyes as I stared at my hands, my fingers tracing over the grey bracelet still wrapped around my wrist. It was meant to be a symbol of my love for Liam, a promise we made to each other. But now? It felt like a cruel reminder of everything I'd lost. This bracelet was all I had left of him—of us.
JC's voice broke through my spiraling thoughts, quiet but firm. "I know this is going to sound crazy, but... Melody thought it'd be better if she took your place. She's pretending to be you."
I froze. The weight of his words hit me like a freight train. My head shot up, disbelief and anger already clawing at my chest. "You said what?" I demanded, my voice trembling, unsure if I had even heard him right.
JC shifted uncomfortably but held his ground. "Don't be mad, Haylie, but Melody used a spell to look like you."
I shot to my feet so fast the chair scraped loudly against the wooden floor. "Please tell me you're joking," I said, my voice breaking as tears spilled freely down my cheeks.
He didn't flinch. "Haylie, it's for the best," he replied, as though his words could somehow soothe the storm brewing inside me.
"For the best?" I echoed, my voice rising with every syllable. My chest heaved, my hands balled into fists at my sides as the dam holding back my anger shattered. "Are you freaking joking right now? How the hell is it 'for the best' for someone to take my life, to be me, while I'm stuck here—trapped in the middle of freaking nowhere?"
JC stood too, his expression conflicted, but I didn't give him a chance to respond.
"That's my life she's living!" I burst out, my voice cracking under the weight of my emotions. "My boyfriend—the man I love—is back home, and you let someone else take my place? How could you?"
The room felt suffocating, the air thick with tension and my tears blurring everything around me.
JC opened his mouth to speak, but I didn't want to hear it. Nothing he could say would make this betrayal okay.
I stormed out of the room, not caring about anything else he had to say. The walls seemed to close in on me as I moved through the house, each step feeling heavier than the last. I wasn't entirely sure how I ended up in front of the fireplace, but there I was.
My legs pulled up tightly to my chest as I sank to the wooden floor. The blanket around my shoulders felt like it offered no warmth, just a heavy reminder of how cold everything had become.
My whole life was in ruins. Just when I thought things were finally falling into place, they shattered into pieces. It had been the perfect birthday yesterday. But everything chance when I wake up this morning.
Now it felt like a cruel joke. I had been kidnapped, ripped away from everything, and replaced by someone else.
Someone else was living my life.
The thought gnawed at me, tearing at my already broken heart. No one would even look for me now because they wouldn't realize I was gone. The fake me was out there, smiling, laughing, and fooling everyone I loved.
Tears streamed down my cheeks, hot and unrelenting. I tried to stifle the sobs, but they came anyway, echoing in the emptiness of the room. My heart ached, shattered beyond repair.
I didn't notice JC's presence until he lowered himself to sit beside me. His weight shifted the floorboards slightly, but I couldn't bring myself to look at him. Turning my head away, I hastily wiped at the tears on my cheeks with trembling hands.
"I didn't want to tell you about Melody like this," JC said softly. His voice was steady but tinged with regret. "But I don't want there to be any secrets between us."
I let out a shaky breath, my hands still trembling as I tried to dry my face. "It's a little too late for that," I said, my voice barely above a whisper.
The words stung as they left my lips because they were true.
Everything was already out in the open—everything. Melody wasn't just someone else. She was living my life. And worst of all? She was doing it with the man I loved.
Tears ran silently down my cheeks, mirroring the fragments of my shattered heart.
"You can be mad at me. I'd understand," JC said softly, his voice heavy with guilt.
For the first time, I turned to face him. My eyes met his, and his expression was etched with something that almost looked like pain.
"But when all of this is over," he continued, his tone firm yet gentle, "I want you to know I did this for you. So, you could live. So, you could grow old and have a normal life when it's done."
I licked my lips, tasting the salty tears that clung to them. My voice was barely steady as I spoke. "It's not fair, JC." My gaze searched his piercing blue eyes, desperate for answers I knew he couldn't give. "I haven't done anything wrong. All I wanted was to be happy, and the moment I find it, everything is ripped away from me again."
I could hear my voice falter, trembling under the weight of my pain.
JC's hand reached out, his touch landing gently on my shoulder. It burned—not with pain, but with an intensity that seemed to cut through the cold around me.
"You deserve to be happy," he said, his voice close, steady, almost a whisper. "I know it feels like everything is falling apart right now, but it won't be forever, Haylie. I promise."
I looked deeply into his blue eyes, searching for the comfort that Liam used to provide. But he was not Liam, and he was far from the man I loved. I turned my gaze to the fire, watching the flames dance in the fireplace.
"If you'd like, I had bring your coffee with me ," I heard JC say beside me.
I turned to see him holding out my mug—the one I had left on the kitchen table when I stormed out. I took the mug in my hand and was surprised to find it still warm.
Bringing it to my lips, I took a sip. The taste of the coffee was refreshing, and for a moment, I felt a little more at ease. Yet, tears still burned in my eyes as I missed home and longed for Liam.
Melody POV
As we finished our coffee and made our way to school, my mind raced with thoughts. I needed Liam to trust me completely, to believe in me. After all, I was already Haylie—the perfect replica of the woman he loved.
Convincing him shouldn't be too hard, especially since he seemed more at ease after I reassured him that JC wasn't a threat. Still, the reminder to check in with my brother to see how the real Haylie was doing nagged at the back of my mind.
The bike came to a halt in the school parking lot. I climbed off, loosening the straps of the helmet before slipping it off. Liam followed suit, holding his helmet by his side as his gaze settled on me. I seized the moment, stepping in front of him and wrapping my arms around his neck. His lips curved into a warm smile that melted away the tension lingering inside me.
"I wanted to thank you for giving me the best birthday ever," I said, my voice soft as I locked my eyes with his.
Rising onto my toes, I leaned in and pressed my lips to his. His kiss was everything—warm, tender, and intoxicating. The way his mouth tasted, like heaven itself, made me lose myself in the moment.
Liam's arms wrapped around my waist, pulling me closer as the kiss deepened. It was a blissful escape, a connection that made me forget everything else.
But the spell was broken by the sound of someone clearing their throat. Startled, I pulled away and turned to see a young woman standing nearby, a mischievous grin on her face.
"Okay, you two lovebirds," she teased, her tone light but teasingly firm.
I took a step back, studying her carefully. She looked to be about my age, with brown hair and eyes that sparkled with amusement.
Something about her felt familiar, though I couldn't place it—until I used my magic. Silent whispers of energy flowed through me, and flashes of information revealed her identity. She was Claudine, Haylie's long-lost friend and a wolf from the Crescent Moon Pack.
"Claudine," I said, the name rolling off my tongue as if it had always been there.
Her eyes rolled dramatically, but her grin didn't falter. She stepped closer, grabbed my shoulder, and linked her arm with mine. "Well, it's time you spent some quality time with your bestie. You can have Liam all to yourself after school," she said with a playful smirk.
I couldn't help but chuckle at her energy. Claudine was bold and lively, and something about her presence felt refreshing.
As she started dragging me toward the school, I followed her lead, amused by her antics. Maybe pretending to be Haylie wouldn't be as isolating as I thought—especially with someone like Claudine around.
I follow Claudine's lead, trying to act as casual as Haylie would.
We step into the bustling school hallway, alive with the chatter and movement of students on this early morning. Being back in school and pretending to be someone else feels like an adventure to me—exciting yet nerve-wracking.
We stop in front of the lockers, and I guess mine must be next to Claudine's since the two of them are best friends. Waiting for the perfect moment, I discreetly use a bit of magic to unlock the locker when Claudine isn't looking.
With a soft click, the door opens, revealing an organized space crammed with school books neatly stacked on one side, a skateboard tucked into the corner, and a pair of sneakers placed carefully on top.
Before I can take in any more details, Claudine's voice breaks through my wandering thoughts.
"So, how was the weekend with Liam?" she asks, her tone eager, pulling my attention back to her.
I muster a bright smile and respond, "It was amazing." I don't know the details of what happened, but I do remember noticing balloons and flowers in Haylie's room earlier.
Leaning into the role, I add, "My room was filled with decorations, and he surprised me with a bouquet of my favorite flowers—daisies!" I let out a small squeal, trying to sound as giddy and genuine as possible.
Claudine's face lights up, her smile widening. "That's so sweet! And did you and Liam…" Her voice trails off suggestively, leaving me to fill in the blanks.
I feel a flicker of confusion but quickly catch on as she continues, "I heard he took you to Paris for your birthday. A romantic day out, just the two of you!"
Relieved to have something to latch onto, I flash a bigger smile. "Yeah, he did," I say, adding a touch of dreamy excitement to my voice. "I even got to wear this stunning black dress—it was breathtaking."
Paris, I thought, a spark of envy flaring in my chest. Wow, Liam must really love her to take her to Paris.
I couldn't help but imagine what it would be like to spend a day in the City of Lights, soaking in its beauty and charm. The thought was mesmerizing, but I quickly pushed it aside, returning my gaze to the locker.
Haylie's meticulous organization struck me—her books were neatly stacked, everything in its place. She must be an A student, I thought, shaking my head slightly at how different we were.
"So," Claudine's voice broke through my thoughts again, drawing me back to reality. "Did anything romantic happen between the two of you?"
Her tone was teasing, with a hint of curiosity that laced her words. I frowned, unsure of what she meant, and glanced over at her. "What do you mean?" I asked, genuinely confused.
Claudine leaned in closer, lowering her voice to a conspiratorial whisper. "Well, you know… what?" she pressed, her eyes glinting mischievously.
A wave of confusion rolled over me. What is she getting at? I stared at her, puzzled, until she finally spelled it out. "The big love thing. You know, have you two been intimate?"
Her words caught me completely off guard, and before I could stop myself, I burst into laughter. "You mean sex?" I asked, struggling to suppress my giggles. "The way you said it—it's hilarious!"
Claudine's expression faltered, her brow furrowing as she looked at me with confusion of her own. "So… you did?" she asked, her tone shifting to something more serious.
Realizing I might have overplayed the moment, I quickly tried to compose myself. "Why do you want to know?" I asked, my voice more controlled as I grabbed my books and slipped them into my school bag.
"Because it's special to you," Claudine said, her voice softer now. "You never like to talk about stuff like this."
Her words hit me, and I bit my lip, the reality of the situation dawning on me. Haylie was still a virgin. Innocent, untainted, and certainly not someone who would laugh off a conversation about sex. I had to recover quickly.
I shut the locker door and turned to Claudine, trying my best to channel Haylie's demeanor. "I'm still waiting," I said, my voice steady and sincere. "For the right time."
Claudine nodded, seemingly satisfied, her playful smile returning.
But as I turned away, guilt washed over me. I wasn't innocent. I wasn't waiting for the right time, not anymore. I could only hope Liam wouldn't find out about that part of me—at least not yet.
Haylie's world and mine couldn't be more different. She was innocent, untouched by experiences I had already faced.
I had done things she hadn't even considered yet, and I was far from being a virgin. The thought made me uneasy. I could only hope no one would ever find out—not as long as I was in her life, in her reflection.
The shrill sound of the school bell jolted me from my thoughts, and for once, it felt like a rescue. Finally. I needed to get through this day, to focus on blending in and being like Haylie.
Maybe if I buried myself in schoolwork, I could disappear into her life more seamlessly, keeping anyone from noticing anything out of the ordinary.
Adjusting my bag on my shoulder, I followed the crowd to my first class, determined to stay under the radar. One day at a time, I told myself. One day at a time.