Chapter 11

CHAPTER ELEVEN

F elicity

Waking up in Raj's arms, I feel warmth and security wrapping around me like a soft blanket. His steady breath against my neck soothes me, each exhale chasing away remnants of my past fears. It's as if his presence is melting away the scars and leaving behind a peace I never thought I'd find. The comfort in his embrace is almost surreal, considering how guarded I've always been.

I snuggle closer, feeling the hard planes of his chest beneath my cheek. His heartbeat is a steady drum, syncing with mine. Early morning light filtering through the curtains, casting a gentle glow on our entwined bodies. The soft rays highlight his features, making him look almost ethereal, yet undeniably strong.

For a moment, I close my eyes and just breathe him in, the subtle scent of his skin mixed with a hint of something wild, something untamed. It reminds me of his secret, the part of him that's both terrifying and thrilling. I never imagined I'd feel this safe with someone, especially someone with such a dangerous edge .

But here I am, nestled against him, feeling more at home than I ever have.

Raj stirs, his arms tightening around me, pulling me closer. "Morning," he murmurs, his voice rough with sleep.

"Morning," I reply, my fingers tracing lazy patterns on his skin, feeling the warmth and strength beneath my touch. The intimacy of this moment is almost surreal. Never did I imagine waking up next to someone could feel so right, so safe, like I finally found a place where I belong.

He shifts slightly to look at me, his warm brown eyes filled with an emotion that makes my heart skip a beat. "You okay?" he asks, his voice gentle yet carrying an undercurrent of concern.

"I am," I whisper, a soft smile playing on my lips. "For the first time in a long time, I really am." The truth of my words sinks in, bringing a sense of peace I hadn't felt in years.

His lips curl into a smile that sends a rush of warmth through me. "Good. You deserve it," he says, his tone firm, almost possessive, like he's making a vow.

"I do," I say, realizing the truth of those words as they leave my mouth. For years, I've let fear dictate my life, but lying here with Raj, that fear feels like a distant memory. His protective presence, his strength, and the wild, untamed part of him that he keeps hidden – it all makes me feel like I can finally breathe, like I can finally stop running.

Raj's fingers trail down my arm, sending tiny electric shocks across my skin. "You hungry?" he asks, his voice a low rumble that makes my heart flutter.

"A little," I admit, laughing softly at how normal this feels. It's almost surreal, like we've been doing this forever, sharing these quiet, intimate moments.

"Let's make breakfast," he suggests, his eyes sparkling with warmth. He presses a tender kiss to my forehead before reluctantly getting out of bed. The absence of his warmth makes me miss him instantly, but watching him move, so sure and graceful, I can't help but smile.

I watch him move around the room with a powerful grace that's distinctly him. My weretiger protector, always so confident and sure of himself. The thought brings a smile to my face as I get up, the cool air brushing against my skin. I pull on one of his shirts that hangs loosely on me, enveloping me in his scent and warmth. It's comforting, like a shield against the world.

Watching him, I feel a sense of peace I haven't felt in years. He's all confidence and power, effortlessly owning the space. As he starts gathering ingredients for breakfast, I can't help but admire the easy way he moves, like he's always ready to shift into his weretiger form at a moment's notice.

In the kitchen, we move together seamlessly with him chopping vegetables while I whisk eggs. It's domestic and simple, but there's an undercurrent of something deeper, almost primal, between us. The way he handles the knife, each precise cut, the flex of his muscles, reminds me of his weretiger nature.

As we sit down to eat, Raj reaches across the table and takes my hand in his. "Felicity," he begins, his eyes locking onto mine with an intensity that makes my heart flutter. His grip is firm yet tender, a perfect balance that makes me feel cherished and safe.

"Yeah?" I respond, my voice softer than I intended, almost a whisper.

"I'm really glad you're here," he says, his thumb gently stroking the back of my hand. I nearly melt at the warmth of his touch, and I can't help but notice the way his eyes soften, revealing a vulnerability he rarely shows.

I squeeze his hand gently, feeling the weight and warmth of his words settle in my heart. "Me too," I reply, a smile tugging at my lips. The simplicity of the moment, the honesty in his gaze, it all makes me feel like maybe, just maybe, I can let my guard down with him.

Raj's eyes bore into mine, and I can feel the weight of what he's about to say pressing down on my chest. He squeezes my hand, his grip firm yet gentle, and the warmth of his skin seeps into mine. "I know we haven't known each other long," he starts, his voice steady but tinged with a hint of vulnerability that makes my heart skip a beat, "but I can't ignore how I feel about you." His words hang in the air, heavy with unspoken promises and emotions that make my breath catch.

My heart skips a beat. "Raj…"

"No, let me finish," he insists, his thumb brushing over my knuckles. "I want you to know that I'll always protect you. No matter what comes our way."

His words wrap around me like a protective cloak, but I can't help the sliver of doubt that creeps in. "Raj, you've already done so much for me. But what if... what if I'm too much trouble?"

He leans forward, his eyes never leaving mine. "Felicity, you're not trouble. You're worth every bit of effort." His tone is so sincere it almost breaks my heart. "I've faced worse, trust me." There's a flicker of the weretiger in his gaze, a reminder of his dual nature, of the strength and ferocity beneath his calm exterior.

"But I'm scared," I admit, my voice trembling. "What if my past catches up with me?"

"You're not alone anymore. I've got your back, always." He lifts my hand to his lips and places a tender kiss on my knuckles, making my breath hitch.

I can't help but smile. The warmth of his words and the promise in his eyes melting away some of my fears. "Thank you, Raj. I... I think I'm starting to believe that."

He gives me a small, reassuring smile. "Good. Because I'm not going anywhere."

He shakes his head, eyes never leaving mine. "You're not trouble, Felicity. You're worth every risk." His voice is full of conviction, leaving no room for doubt.

"You really mean that?" I ask, searching his face for any sign of hesitation.

"With everything in me," he vows, his tone unyielding. "I've spent years keeping people at arm's length because of what I am. But with you it's different." His eyes flash with a hint of his animalistic nature, a reminder of the weretiger lurking beneath his charming exterior.

I take a deep breath, letting his words sink in, feeling a sense of relief just admitting it out loud. "I've been running for so long," I confess, the weight of my past lifting slightly with each word.

"Then stop running," Raj says simply, like it's the easiest thing in the world. "Stay with me."

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're something 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.