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The simplicity of his offer makes my heart swell, a glimmer of hope piercing through my doubts. "You make it sound so easy."

"It can be," he replies with a small smile, his confidence unwavering. "If we’re together."

"I want that," I say before I can second-guess myself, my voice carrying an honesty that surprises even me. The thought of having someone to share my burdens with is both terrifying and exhilarating.

Raj's smile widens, and he brings my hand to his lips, pressing a tender kiss to my knuckles. "Then it's settled."

I laugh softly at his certainty, a warm, unfamiliar feeling blossoming in my chest. "You’resomething else."

"And you're everything," he counters smoothly, his eyes twinkling with affection. The intensity of his gaze makes my pulse quicken, and for once, I allow myself to believe that maybe, just maybe, I don’t have to be scared alone anymore.

"I’ll always love you," he promises, his voice low and filled with an emotion that wraps around me like a warm blanket on a cold night. The sincerity in his words seeps into my very soul, making me feel cherished in a way I never thought possible. His warm breath fans across my skin, and I close my eyes, letting the moment wash over me, savoring the rare sense of peace his presence brings.

"I believe you," I whisper back, my voice barely audible as I squeeze his hand tightly, anchoring myself to this moment. It's like I'm grounding myself in the reality of his words, letting the fear and doubt slip away.

For once in my life, believing feels easy, almost natural. As I look into his warm brown eyes, I see a future that doesn't scare me. Instead, it fills me with hope and a sense of security I've never known.

CHAPTER TWELVE

Raj

Waking up with Felicity in my arms feels surreal. Her soft breath against my chest, the steady rise and fall of her body. It’s a peace I haven’t known in years. My life before her was a string of nights filled with laughter, but always ending alone. Now, there's warmth and connection that I didn’t realize I craved.

Felicity has changed everything. Her presence has carved out a new part of me, one that’s raw and unguarded. I used to think my charm and humor were enough to keep people at a safe distance, to keep me from getting hurt. But she saw through all that, saw the man beneath the jokes.

She’s brought out a protectiveness in me I didn’t know was so fierce. When her ex showed up again, my instincts flared like never before. It wasn’t just about defending her because it was about protecting something precious to me. Shifting in front of her should’ve terrified me. She accepted every part of me without hesitation.

Her trust, her bravery is humbling. And it’s made me want to be better, to be the man she deserves. Before Felicity,my world was black and white while performing at the club, laughing with strangers, keeping everyone at arm’s length. Now, it’s full of color and possibility because she’s shown me what it means to really connect with someone.

I glance down at her sleeping face, peaceful and beautiful. She’s been through hell but still found the strength to open up to me. She taught me that real strength isn’t just about physical power or shifting into a weretiger to fend off threats. It’s about vulnerability, about letting someone in even when it scares you.

I think back to our late-night dinner conversations where we peeled back the layers of our pasts like old paint on a wall. She trusted me with her story, and in return, I shared mine with my fears, my loneliness masked by humor. Each revelation pulled us closer together until our hearts beat as one.

Her love has done something incredible. It’s made me feel human again in a way that no amount of applause or laughter ever could. She’s given me a reason to fight for more than just survival or the next big joke on stage. It's something primal, almost raw, like the instinctual drive that makes me shift under a full moon, but this time, it's tethered to her.

Felicity stirs slightly in my arms, murmuring softly before settling back into sleep. At this moment, I realize how much she's become my anchor. With her, the gnawing loneliness that has haunted me for years is finally at bay. And as long as she's by my side, I know I’ll never have to face another dark night alone again.

The sound of her soft breathing fills the room, and I can’t help but marvel at how much my life has transformed. For the first time, I’m not just surviving—I’m living. The memories of countless performances, the faceless crowds, and the temporary highs all fade into the background.

They pale to the vibrant reality she’s brought into my life. Every laugh we share, every touch, every whispered confession in the dead of night. It all feels so much more real, more meaningful.

I think about the animal inside me, the weretiger that’s always been a part of who I am. It used to be something I kept hidden, something I only let loose when I needed to protect myself. But with Felicity, it’s different. She’s shown me I don’t have to hide any part of myself, that I can be both the man and the beast, and she’ll love me all the same.

As the first light of dawn filters through the curtains, I tighten my hold on her, feeling a profound sense of gratitude. She's given me a gift I never thought I'd find acceptance. And with that acceptance comes a deeper understanding of what it means to be truly alive. Her presence grounds me, makes me feel like I can conquer anything.

I know there will be challenges ahead. Her ex won’t disappear overnight, and my own past still lingers like a shadow, always threatening to resurface. But for the first time, I feel ready to face whatever comes our way. Together, we’re stronger than anything that tries to tear us apart. I’ll protect her with everything I have, both as a man and as the beast within.

She stirs slightly, her hazel eyes fluttering open, and she looks up at me with a sleepy smile. “Morning,” she murmurs, her voice soft and husky.

“Morning, beautiful,” I reply, brushing a strand of hair from her face. “Sleep well?”

“Better than I have in a long time,” she says, snuggling closer. “With you, I feel safe.”

Her words touch something deep inside me, awakening a primal urge to protect her. I tighten my armaround her, feeling the beast within me stir. "I'll always keep you safe," I promise, my voice low and earnest.

She sighs contentedly, tracing a finger along my collarbone. “I know you will,” she whispers, trust shining in her eyes.

I’m realizing just how much she means to me. The challenges ahead, her ex, my own secrets. They don’t seem as daunting when I think about facing them together. I nuzzle her hair, inhaling her scent. “We’ve got this, Felicity. Together, we’re unstoppable.”