Chapter 10

CHAPTER TEN

R aj

Planning this date feels like prepping for a performance, but this time, it's not just about getting laughs. It's about showing Felicity how much she means to me. My heart pounds, the weretiger in me restless and insistent. She's my mate; every instinct screams it.

I walk through the park, scoping out the perfect spot. It has to be special. I find a secluded area near a small pond, surrounded by cherry blossom trees. The petals fall gently, creating a soft pink carpet. It's serene, intimate—perfect for us.

Back at my apartment, I gather supplies. A blanket, a basket of her favorite snacks I've noticed she likes at the diner, and a small speaker for some background music. The weretiger part of me demands perfection, an innate drive to ensure every detail speaks volumes about my feelings. I toss in a couple of candles for good measure, hoping to add that extra touch of romance.

As I double-check everything, my thoughts drift to Felicity. Her laughter, her guarded hazel eyes, the way she tucks a strand of dark hair behind her ear when she's nervous. She deserves this and she deserves to feel cherished and safe.

I can't wait to see her reaction.

When I pick her up from her place, her eyes widen at the sight of me holding the basket and blanket, a flicker of astonishment dancing in her hazel eyes. The surprise on her face is exactly what I hoped for, and it sends a thrill through me. Her guarded expression softens, just for a moment, and I can see the curiosity and tentative excitement beneath it.

"What's all this?" she asks, her voice tinged with wonder and hesitation. I grin, feeling my weretiger instincts purr with satisfaction.

"You'll see," I say, a playful tone in my voice. "Just trust me." My weretiger instincts buzz with anticipation, eager to see her reaction when she realizes how much thought I've put into this.

We walk hand in hand through the park, the warmth of her touch sending a thrill through me. The setting sun casts a golden hue over everything, making her hair look like it's glowing. My weretiger senses heighten as I lead her to our spot, eager to ensure everything is perfect. I spread out the blanket, arranging the basket and food meticulously, hoping she'll notice the effort.

She sits down and looks around, her eyes wide with wonder, taking in the serene beauty of the park. "This is beautiful," she says softly, her voice filled with genuine awe.

I settle beside her, my heart racing as I watch her. "You deserve beautiful things," I reply, my voice firm yet tender.

She blushes and looks down at her hands, her vulnerability touching something deep within me. "No one's ever done something like this for me," she admits, her voice barely above a whisper .

I reach out and gently lift her chin so she meets my gaze, my thumb brushing against her soft skin. "Get used to it," I say, my eyes locking onto hers, filled with a promise I intend to keep.

We share a meal under the stars, our laughter blending with the symphony of nature around us. Felicity opens up more than ever before, her voice animated as she recounts childhood dreams and favorite books. I can't help but be mesmerized by her, the way her eyes light up with every story she shares.

After we finish eating, we lie back on the blanket, gazing up at the night sky dotted with countless stars. The cool night air wraps around us, but her warmth against my side is all I feel. An overwhelming urge to protect her always surges through me, a primal instinct I can't ignore. My weretiger side purrs in contentment, resonating with the peace I find in her presence, as she nestles closer to me. Her head rests on my chest, and I can feel the steady rhythm of her breathing, matching the beat of my heart.

"Raj," she whispers softly, turning to face me, her hazel eyes gleaming in the starlight.

"Yeah?" I murmur, my voice barely louder than the night breeze.

"I'm glad I met you." Her words are simple but filled with so much emotion, it makes my heart ache.

I smile, leaning in to kiss her forehead gently. "Me too."

At that moment, I know for sure that she's my mate. The bond is undeniable, and I'll do everything in my power to keep her safe and happy. As she nestles closer, I wrap my arm around her, pulling her tighter against me, vowing silently that nothing will ever hurt her again.

As we walk back to my place, the night air cool against our skin, there's an electricity between us that's impossible to ignore. Felicity's hand fits perfectly in mine, like it was meant to be there. The moonlight casts a gentle glow, making everything feel surreal.

Once inside my apartment, I close the door behind us and turn to her. She looks up at me, her eyes filled with desire and something deeper. Love. I see it clearly now.

I pull her into my arms, our lips meeting in a searing kiss. The world fades away as I lift her effortlessly, carrying her to my bedroom. Every step feels heavy with anticipation, the weretiger in me purring with approval. Her fingers tangle in my hair, and I can feel the rapid beat of her heart matching my own.

The scent of her, intoxicating and uniquely hers, fills my senses. My animal instincts sharpen, urging me to protect, to claim, to cherish. As I lay her gently on the bed, the moonlight streaming through the window casts a silver glow over her, making her look ethereal. I pause for a moment, just to take in the sight of her, my mate, my everything. With a soft growl of satisfaction, I lean down, capturing her lips once more, knowing that this is just the beginning of our forever.

Her lips part as she whispers my name, "Raj." The sound is a soft plea, her voice trembling with a need that mirrors my own. The desire in her eyes, the way they seem to beg for my touch, it's intoxicating. It stokes the fire within me, the animalistic instincts that have been awakened by her presence.

I flash a reassuring grin, gently sweeping a loose strand of hair from her delicate face. Her hazel eyes lock onto mine, vulnerability flashing there that makes my heart swell. "I'm here, Felicity," I murmur, my voice barely above a whisper. My fingers linger on her cheek, feeling the warmth of her skin, and I can't help but add, "I'll always be here."

In a frenzy of longing, our clothes disappear, discarded in our haste. Our bodies entwine, driven by a primal hunger that's somehow both urgent and tender. I take my time exploring her, tracing the curves and valleys of her body with a slow, deliberate touch. My fingers dance across her skin, reveling in the goosebumps that rise in their wake, the way she quivers under my touch stoking the weretiger's fire within me.

Her fingernails bite into my back, a silent demand for more as her breaths come in short, desperate gasps. I tower above her, my body a harmonious blend of dominating power and tender strokes. Every muscle in my body is coiled, ready to pounce, yet I restrain myself, savoring each moment. My hand trails down her side, igniting a trail of fire in its wake, as I guide us both towards a fate that feels as though it's been etched into the cosmos.

Our bodies move in perfect harmony, as if we've done this a thousand times before. Every touch, each kiss, ignites a blaze that threatens to consume us. Her soft moans blend with my deep, guttural growls of satisfaction, as we find our rhythm in this primal dance of love. The weretiger within me stirs, reveling in the intimacy, the connection, the sheer intensity of our passion.

Her form sways in time with mine as I delve deeper, claiming her with a sense of ownership that's intertwined with tenderness. She mirrors my tempo, our tie fortifying with every fleeting moment. The weretiger within me rumbles its approval, acknowledging the link that's taking shape between us.

At the peak of our connection, it feels like a volcano of unfiltered emotions detonates inside us, merging ecstasy and fervor in a way neither of us can fully restrain. We cling to each other, our bodies trembling in flawless unison as waves of delight cascade over us, leaving us gasping and fulfilled. Every shudder and moan from Felicity intensifies the moment, making it impossible to tell where I end, and she begins.

In the aftermath, we lay entwined on the bed, our chests heaving as we struggle to regain our composure. I pull her closer, my arms encircling her petite frame as an overwhelming sense of rightness envelops me, a feeling that I've never experienced before. Her warmth seeps into me, calming the beast within, the weretiger purring in satisfaction. Felicity is mine, and I am hers—there's no denying it now.

"You belong with me," I growl softly into her dark tresses, my voice gravelly with emotion. "And I'm not letting you slip away, not now, not ever."

Felicity lifts her head, her radiant hazel eyes meeting mine, a tender smile gracing her lips. "Always," she murmurs, her voice brimming with a tranquil conviction that sinks deep into my core, binding us together in a promise that transcends time.

In that moment, I know without a doubt—my instincts were right. She's truly my mate, the one I've been searching for all this time. My weretiger senses hum with the truth of it, a primal recognition that goes beyond words. The bond we share is undeniable, a connection that roots itself deep within my soul. I'll spend the rest of my life loving and protecting her, cherishing every moment we share. No force on earth could make me abandon this promise.