Page 13

The sunlight filters through the thin curtains of my bedroom, casting soft, warm patterns on the walls. Raj's steady breathing beside me is a comfort I didn't know I needed. My heart races and calms in an uneven rhythm as I study his peaceful face. The night before feels like a dream, one where a weretiger steps in to save me from my worst nightmare and stays to show me what real tenderness looks like.

I trace a finger along Raj's jawline, feeling the roughness of his stubble. It's surreal, this sense of security and connection. Yet, just beneath that surface lurks the ghost of Nathan. His voice still echoes in my mind, reminding me of the darkness I've known too well.

Raj shifts slightly, his eyes fluttering open. "Morning," he murmurs, voice husky with sleep.

"Morning," I reply, pulling my hand back quickly as if burned. The warmth of his skin lingers on my fingertips.

I try to shake off the lingering shadows of my past, focusing instead on the here and now. He stretches, a hintof his animalistic grace evident even in this simple movement. There's something primal and reassuring about the way he moves, a reminder that he's more than just a man.

"Did you sleep well?" he asks, his voice pulling me back from my thoughts.

"Yeah," I say, trying to infuse my voice with more confidence than I feel. "Better than I have in a long time."

His eyes soften, and he reaches out to brush a strand of hair away from my face. "Good. You deserve to feel safe."

His words strike a chord deep within me. It's not just about feeling safe, though. It's about feeling seen, understood. And Raj, with his easy charm and hidden depths, seems to get that.

"What's on your mind?" His warm brown eyes search mine, and I can tell he senses my turmoil.

I sit up, pulling the sheet around me. "Everything’s happening so fast," I admit, looking away from him. "I'm not used to feeling... safe."

He props himself up on one elbow, concern etching lines into his handsome face. "I get it. You've been through hell."

"And you... you're so different," I continue, struggling to find the right words. "But I'm scared, Raj. What if?—"

He cuts me off gently. "I'm not Nathan." There's a fierceness in his voice that reassures me more than any tender promise could.

"I know," I whisper, glancing back at him. His sincerity hits me like a wave, eroding the walls I've built around my heart.

Raj reaches out, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear. His touch is tender, yet there's an underlying strength that reminds me of his dual nature. "I'm not going anywhere."

I swallow hard, fear and hope churning in my stomach. "I want to believe that," I admit, my voice barely above a whisper.

"You can," he says firmly, his warm brown eyes locking onto mine. "We’ll take it one day at a time. No rush. Just us." His words are a lifeline, pulling me from the depths of my anxiety.

The weight of his words sinks in, grounding me. It's crazy how sure I feel about him despite everything I've been through. But that fear—the fear of getting hurt again—is a stubborn shadow that won't let go easily.

"I want to trust this," I confess, my voice barely above a whisper.

"Then trust it," he replies firmly, his warm brown eyes locking onto mine. "Trust us. We'll figure it out together."

His confidence is intoxicating. It's like he's giving me permission to believe in something good for once. I lean into his touch, letting myself feel the warmth and solidity of him beside me. The steady rhythm of his heartbeat soothes the anxious fluttering in my chest.

"Okay," I say finally, feeling a small spark of hope ignite within me. It's a fragile thing, but it's there, flickering against the shadows of my past.

Raj pulls me closer, his arms a protective cocoon around me.

As I rest my head against his chest, I can't help but marvel at the strange twist of fate that brought us together. His weretiger instincts, his fierce protectiveness, promise a safety I’ve never known.

The steady rise and fall of his breathing lulls me into a sense of peace I’ve long forgotten. In his arms, the world feels less daunting, less filled with shadows. And maybe, just maybe, this is the beginning of something beautiful. A future where love triumphs over fear, where I can finallybreathe.

The decision feels like a weight lifting off my shoulders, even as the gravity of it settles in my chest. I take a deep breath and look Raj in the eyes. Those warm brown eyes that have seen me at my most vulnerable, and still, here he is. Steady. Unwavering.

His gaze holds a promise, one that whispers of protection and unwavering support. It’s as if his weretiger instincts sense my hesitation, urging me to trust, to believe in this bond that’s forming between us. I can almost hear the silent pledge in his eyes: he won’t let anything harm me.

"Raj," I start, feeling the tremor in my voice but pushing through it. "I don't want to run anymore."

His gaze locks onto mine, intense and focused. "What do you mean?" he asks, his voice low and steady, almost a growl. My instinct is to flinch, but I stand my ground.