Chapter 4

CHAPTER FOUR

R aj

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 sign of 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'm not 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.

"Raj," she starts, her voice soft, almost hesitant. There's a fragility to it that makes me want to reach out and hold her, to promise her safety with more than just words.

"Yeah?" I keep my tone light, not wanting to spook her. My tiger instincts stir, urging me to protect her, but I hold them back, knowing she needs to feel in control.

She steps closer, so close I can feel the warmth radiating from her like a gentle fire. Her hand reaches out, brushing against my arm. The contact sends a jolt through me, my weretiger instincts roaring to life, muscles tensing with the urge to protect and claim. I can almost hear the primal part of me growling in approval, urging me to lean into her touch, to let her know she's safe with me.

"Thank you," she whispers, her voice soft and fragile, like she's afraid it might shatter. "For everything tonight." Her words hang in the air between us, and I can feel the weight of all the unspoken fears and hopes she carries.

It's not just gratitude; it's a small crack in the wall she's built around herself. I want to reassure her, to tell her I've got her back .

It takes all my self-control not to close the gap between us, to not pull her into my arms and promise that I'll always be there for her. My weretiger instincts are thrumming, urging me to claim and protect her, but I hold back, knowing it's not the right time.

"Anytime," I manage to say, my voice coming out rougher than I intend, betraying the intensity of my feelings. I clear my throat, trying to regain my composure, but ?she affects me more than I care to admit.

She smiles then, a small but genuine smile that lights up her face and makes my heart skip a beat. It's the smile that could melt the iciest of hearts, and mine's already a puddle at her feet.

"Goodnight, Raj," she whispers, her voice carrying a note of vulnerability that tugs at my heartstrings, making me want to wrap her in my arms and never let go.

"Goodnight, Felicity," I reply, stepping back reluctantly, fighting the urge to follow her inside and ensure she's truly safe. My instincts roar within me, demanding I stay close to her, but I force myself to turn away, knowing she needs her space. As I walk away, I can still feel the warmth of her smile lingering in the cool night air. A promise of something more.

She lingers for a moment longer, her eyes locking with mine in a silent exchange that speaks volumes. There's something raw and unspoken between us, a connection that neither of us fully understands yet. After what feels like an eternity, she turns and unlocks her door. The sight of her slipping inside, the door closing with a soft click, leaves me standing there, trying to process the whirlwind of emotions.

The night air feels cooler without her warmth, an emptiness settling in as I miss her presence already. The beast within me paces restlessly, its primal instincts demanding I stay close to my mate. But for now, it's content knowing she's safe behind that door. It's a small victory, enough to keep my animal side in check.

I turn away reluctantly, heading to my place. Each step feels heavier, as if the distance between us is a physical weight pressing down on me. My mind swirls with thoughts of Felicity, her bright hazel eyes and the gentle curve of her smile haunting my every thought.

The scent of her lingers in the air, a tantalizing reminder of what could be mingling with the cool night breeze. It's almost enough to make me turn back to pound on her door and beg for just a few more moments in her presence. But for now, I have to be content with the memory of her warmth and the hope that this night is just the beginning.