Page 41 of His Arranged Plus-Size Mate

I sniffled, allowing myself to take in his warmth. I felt his arm rubbing my back, and his chin rested on my head. I stared at the wall. “I just want to feel normal again.”

His arms tightened. “I’m sorry. I’m sorry I didn’t notice your pain sooner.”

I chewed on my cheek. “Are you going to tell Brandon?”

“We have to. Have you told anyone? The witches? Your sister?”

I shook my head. “No. I haven’t told anyone.”

He nodded. “Okay. I’m going to call Brandon. You try to get some sleep. We will meet with them right away in the morning.”

I nodded, suddenly missing him as he slipped out of my bed. I watched as he walked out. I clung to my sheet, not sure if I could fall asleep again. My mind was racing.

I pulled the sheet up and stared at the door. I could hear Asher talking softly in the hallway. His footsteps went up and down the wood, making the same sound. After a couple of minutes, he appeared back in the doorway.

“We will have a meeting in the morning around eight.”

I slowly nodded, my finger tightening around the sheets. What if everything changed? What if they weren’t as calm as Asher was? What if they wanted to lock me up?

Asher moved closer. “Hazel, are you okay?”

I shook my head. “Can you stay?” I bite my cheek. “Please?”

Asher offered me a small smile and nodded. He moved closer, pulling the sheets up, and slid underneath them. Hepulled me close, and I rested against his chest. I inhaled his scent, allowing myself to relax in his arms.

“Everything is going to be okay,” he whispered as he pressed his face into my hair. “I promise.”

“You can’t promise that,” I whispered back.

“I can.” I felt him kiss the top of my head. “And I do.”

I don’t know when I fell asleep, but I did. I slept peacefully and had no dreams. I just slept, and for the first time in a long time, I felt normal.

I woke up to Asher asleep. He was still holding me against his chest, his head propped up on his other arm. He looked calm and relaxed. A part of me wondered if he’d slept peacefully with me.

But I shook the thought away. I knew we had a meeting, and my stomach dipped at the thought of it. I didn’t know what was going to happen.

Asher moved, and his eyes opened. He stared at me and softly smiled. “Hey, how did you sleep?”

“I slept well.” I was afraid to move, not wanting to break this warmth and safe space between us.

“Are you ready to get up?”

I shook my head. “Five more minutes?”

His hand brushed my hair. “Just tell me when.”

Twenty minutes later, we left for the meeting. I felt my heart was racing as we walked the halls to the meeting room. I had expected the guys, but I wasn’t expecting my sister and the other witches.

Gabriella swung out of her chair as soon as she saw me, her eyes growing wide. “Hazel!” She ran across the room, quicklypulling me into her arms. “What’s going on? What happened? You look terrible.”

I couldn’t speak, let alone find words. I stammered, and she looked at Asher, pissed. “You told me you were going to protect her! What the hell, Asher! I trusted you!”

“He didn’t do anything,” I snapped at her. “If anything, he’s the only one who’s cared!”

Gabriella looked stunned as her eyes turned back to me. She looked hurt, unable to form a word. “What the hell does that mean? All I’ve done is care about you!”

I suddenly felt angry. I knew it was wrong because Gabriella had constantly asked if I was okay. Every morning, she was right there, reaching out to help, but I’d refused. A part of me didn’t know if she would understand. I was afraid she would look at me differently.