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“I’m sorry about all that,” I whisper, feeling a wave of embarrassment over the scene Nathan caused. My cheeks flush as I glance around, hoping no one else is paying attention.

Raj shakes his head dismissively, a small smile playing on his lips. “Don’t be sorry.” He leans in closer, his eyes warm and reassuring, their depth pulling me in. “You’re safe now.” His words are like a balm to my frayed nerves, and I can feel the sincerity in his voice.

And for the first time in a long while, I believe it might be true. Raj's presence, his unwavering support, and the way he looks at me with such protective intensity make my heart flutter. Maybe, just maybe, I can finally stop running from my past.

CHAPTER FOUR

Raj

I catch up with Felicity just outside the club. She’s trembling, her eyes darting around like a trapped animal. I can practically smell her fear. “Hey,” I call out softly, trying not to startle her. “Let me walk you home.”

She glances at me, gratitude and wariness in her hazel eyes. “I’ll be fine,” she murmurs, but the quiver in her voice betrays her. It's clear she doesn't believe her own words.

“No way.” I step closer, my tone leaving no room for argument. My protective instincts are kicking in, and there's no way I'm letting her walk alone. “That guy could still be lurking around. It’s not safe.”

Her shoulders slump in defeat, and she nods. “Alright, thanks.” She sounds exhausted, as if every bit of fight has just drained out of her.

I fall into step beside her, scanning the shadows for any sign of danger. My weretiger senses are on high alert, and I can't shake the feeling that something's off. As we walk, I keep my voice low and soothing. “You don’t have to be scared, Felicity. I’ve got you.”

We walk down the dimly lit street. The night air is cool, and every sound feels amplified in the silence between us. I fight the urge to reach out and hold her hand, to offer more comfort than my presence alone can give.

“So,” I say, trying to break the tension, “you from around here?”

She shakes her head, her dark hair catching the faint streetlight. “No. Moved here a few months ago.” Her voice is small but steady, a fragile strength underlying her words.

I sense she doesn’t want to delve into her past, so I switch gears. “You did great tonight, handling all those orders on your first night. Not easy, especially with a crowd like that.”

A faint smile tugs at her lips, a flicker of warmth in her hazel eyes. “Thanks. It’s been a while since I felt useful.”

“Hey,” I stop and turn to face her, looking into those haunted eyes that seem to carry the weight of her past. “You’re more than just useful. You’re strong.”

She blinks up at me, confusion clouding her features. “Strong?”

“Yeah,” I say, continuing to walk beside her, my voice dropping to a gentler tone. “Most people would have crumbled back there with that jerk causing a scene. You stood your ground, didn’t let him push you around.”

A moment of silence follows, the night air wrapping around us like a shroud, before she whispers, “I didn’t feel strong.”

“Well, you are.” The tiger inside me growls in agreement, my instincts roaring to protect this fragile yet fierce woman by my side. I reach out, my hand hovering just above her back, offering support without crowding her. “And I’ll be here to remind you of that whenever you forget.”

As we walk on, my senses are on high alert for any signof trouble. Her ex isn’t going to get another chance to scare her tonight. The moonlight casts a silver sheen on the pavement, and every rustling leaf or distant car engine makes my muscles tense, ready to shift if necessary.

“Raj,” she says softly after a while, breaking the silence that had settled between us like a comforting blanket.

“Yeah?” I respond, my voice gentle but firm.

“Why are you being so nice to me?” Her eyes search mine, filled with vulnerability and confusion, seeking answers I’m not sure I can fully articulate. I can see the walls she’s built, the scars left by her past. My tiger growls softly within, sensing her need for protection and understanding.

I take a deep breath, battling the primal urge inside me that roars to claim and protect her as mine. The weretiger in me is restless, demanding I make her feel safe. “Because everyone deserves someone who’s got their back,” I say, my tone carrying the weight of an unspoken promise.

She looks away as her gaze drifts to the ground, but she doesn’t pull back when our shoulders brush against each other. The contact is small but significant, a silent acceptance of the support I’m offering. My heart pounds in my chest, the beast inside me calming slightly at this small connection. I want to reach out, to hold her, to reassure her she’s not alone anymore, but I know I need to go slow.

"Felicity," I murmur, my voice a soft growl, "you deserve to feel safe, to be happy." Her eyes flicker back to mine, and in that moment, I see a glimmer of hope. It’s fragile, like a delicate flame in the wind, but it’s there.

I can't fully explain the depth of my need to protect her, to be the one she can rely on. Maybe it’s the weretiger instincts roaring inside me, or maybe it’s just the way she looks at me with those bright hazel eyes that make me feel like I can be her shield. All I know is that I’mnot letting her go. The beast within me growls in agreement, a primal vow to keep her safe, to let no harm come her way again.

The walk to her apartment fills with a calm silence now that some of the tension has melted away. I can sense her relaxing beside me, the tightness in her shoulders easing with every step. We don't need to fill the space with words; the quiet between us is comforting, almost as if we've known each other far longer than we actually have. When we finally reach her building, she stops at the entrance and turns to face me, her hazel eyes catching the soft glow of the streetlights.

I can see the vulnerability mixed with something else. Curiosity, maybe? Her eyes search mine, as if looking for answers she’s not sure she wants to find.