Chapter 9

CHAPTER NINE

F elicity

The sunlight filters through the thin curtains of my bedroom, casting soft, warm patterns on the walls. Raj's steady breathing beside me is a comfort I didn't know I needed. My heart races and calms in an uneven rhythm as I study his peaceful face. The night before feels like a dream, one where a weretiger steps in to save me from my worst nightmare and stays to show me what real tenderness looks like.

I trace a finger along Raj's jawline, feeling the roughness of his stubble. It's surreal, this sense of security and connection. Yet, just beneath that surface lurks the ghost of Nathan. His voice still echoes in my mind, reminding me of the darkness I've known too well.

Raj shifts slightly, his eyes fluttering open. "Morning," he murmurs, voice husky with sleep.

"Morning," I reply, pulling my hand back quickly as if burned. The warmth of his skin lingers on my fingertips.

I try to shake off the lingering shadows of my past, focusing instead on the here and now. He stretches, a hint of his animalistic grace evident even in this simple movement. There's something primal and reassuring about the way he moves, a reminder that he's more than just a man.

"Did you sleep well?" he asks, his voice pulling me back from my thoughts.

"Yeah," I say, trying to infuse my voice with more confidence than I feel. "Better than I have in a long time."

His eyes soften, and he reaches out to brush a strand of hair away from my face. "Good. You deserve to feel safe."

His words strike a chord deep within me. It's not just about feeling safe, though. It's about feeling seen, understood. And Raj, with his easy charm and hidden depths, seems to get that.

"What's on your mind?" His warm brown eyes search mine, and I can tell he senses my turmoil.

I sit up, pulling the sheet around me. "Everything's happening so fast," I admit, looking away from him. "I'm not used to feeling... safe."

He props himself up on one elbow, concern etching lines into his handsome face. "I get it. You've been through hell."

"And you... you're so different," I continue, struggling to find the right words. "But I'm scared, Raj. What if?—"

He cuts me off gently. "I'm not Nathan." There's a fierceness in his voice that reassures me more than any tender promise could.

"I know," I whisper, glancing back at him. His sincerity hits me like a wave, eroding the walls I've built around my heart.

Raj reaches out, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear. His touch is tender, yet there's an underlying strength that reminds me of his dual nature. "I'm not going anywhere."

I swallow hard, fear and hope churning in my stomach. " I want to believe that," I admit, my voice barely above a whisper.

"You can," he says firmly, his warm brown eyes locking onto mine. "We'll take it one day at a time. No rush. Just us." His words are a lifeline, pulling me from the depths of my anxiety.

The weight of his words sinks in, grounding me. It's crazy how sure I feel about him despite everything I've been through. But that fear—the fear of getting hurt again—is a stubborn shadow that won't let go easily.

"I want to trust this," I confess, my voice barely above a whisper.

"Then trust it," he replies firmly, his warm brown eyes locking onto mine. "Trust us. We'll figure it out together."

His confidence is intoxicating. It's like he's giving me permission to believe in something good for once. I lean into his touch, letting myself feel the warmth and solidity of him beside me. The steady rhythm of his heartbeat soothes the anxious fluttering in my chest.

"Okay," I say finally, feeling a small spark of hope ignite within me. It's a fragile thing, but it's there, flickering against the shadows of my past.

Raj pulls me closer, his arms a protective cocoon around me.

As I rest my head against his chest, I can't help but marvel at the strange twist of fate that brought us together. His weretiger instincts, his fierce protectiveness, promise a safety I've never known.

The steady rise and fall of his breathing lulls me into a sense of peace I've long forgotten. In his arms, the world feels less daunting, less filled with shadows. And maybe, just maybe, this is the beginning of something beautiful. A future where love triumphs over fear, where I can finally breathe.

The decision feels like a weight lifting off my shoulders, even as the gravity of it settles in my chest. I take a deep breath and look Raj in the eyes. Those warm brown eyes that have seen me at my most vulnerable, and still, here he is. Steady. Unwavering.

His gaze holds a promise, one that whispers of protection and unwavering support. It's as if his weretiger instincts sense my hesitation, urging me to trust, to believe in this bond that's forming between us. I can almost hear the silent pledge in his eyes: he won't let anything harm me.

"Raj," I start, feeling the tremor in my voice but pushing through it. "I don't want to run anymore."

His gaze locks onto mine, intense and focused. "What do you mean?" he asks, his voice low and steady, almost a growl. My instinct is to flinch, but I stand my ground.

"I mean I'm tired of looking over my shoulder. Of being afraid. I want to face whatever comes, but I want a real chance with you," I say, my words gaining strength as I speak them. His eyes narrow slightly, and I can see the weretiger within him stirring, protective instincts flaring to life.

Raj's face softens, a small smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. "Are you sure?" His voice carries a gentle caution, but underneath it, I sense a surge of hope, a longing that matches my own.

"More sure than I've ever been about anything," I say, and to my surprise, it's true. The safety he gives me isn't just about physical protection—it's a balm for my heart, a shield for my spirit. For the first time in ages, I feel like I can breathe without the weight of my past crushing me.

Raj pulls me closer, his touch both gentle and firm, like he's afraid I'll slip away if he's not careful. "You don't know how much I've wanted to hear that," he murmurs, his voice a low rumble. His warm brown eyes search mine, and I see the vulnerability he's kept hidden behind his humor and confidence. It's like he's baring a piece of his soul to me, and I can't help but feel the same.

I lean into him, feeling the warmth of his body and the steady rhythm of his heartbeat. It's like finding a safe harbor after a stormy sea. "I know it's not going to be easy," I admit, my voice barely above a whisper. "But I think we can make it work. Together."

His fingers brush through my hair, and I can sense the feral intensity just beneath the surface, his weretiger instincts always ready to protect me. "We'll face it all," he assures me, his voice a low, comforting rumble that wraps around me like a blanket. "I'll always be here for you, no matter what."

The sincerity in his words wraps around me like a promise, and for the first time, the future doesn't seem so daunting. It feels like something worth fighting for, something we can conquer together.

It's like finding the missing piece of a puzzle I've been struggling with for too long. "I do," I whisper back, my voice trembling with the weight of our shared hope.

For the first time in what feels like forever, I allow myself to fully relax. Being with Raj feels like coming home to a place I've never known but always needed. The warmth of his embrace seeps into every corner of my being, pushing out the cold shadows of my past. His scent, a mix of spice and something uniquely him, envelops me, grounding me in this moment.

I close my eyes, surrendering to the safety of his presence. "Thank you," I murmur, barely audible. "For everything." The words seem inadequate, but they are all I have to express the depth of my gratitude.

Raj pulls me even closer, his fingers tracing soothing patterns on my back. "We'll face it all," he repeats, his voice a low, comforting rumble that vibrates through me. "And we'll come out stronger."

In his arms, I feel a burgeoning strength, a resilience I never knew I had.

"I want this," I tell him again, my voice trembling slightly as I try to convey the depth of my feelings. "I want us."

Raj tilts my chin up, forcing our eyes to meet once more. His gaze is unwavering, filled with a fierce determination. "Then we'll make it work," he says, his voice low but carrying an intensity that leaves no room for doubt. His words are a promise, solid and unbreakable, and for the first time in a long while, I feel a glimmer of hope blossoming within me.

A sense of peace washes over me—a peace I haven't felt in years. It's not just about escaping Nathan; it's about building something new with Raj. Something real and tangible, something that fills the void I didn't even know was there.

We sit there in silence for a while, just holding each other. The world outside fades away, leaving only the promise of what we can be together. His warmth seeps into me, grounding me in a way that feels both foreign and incredibly right.

For the first time in a long time, I'm not afraid of tomorrow. Instead, I find myself looking forward to it, excited about the endless possibilities that lie ahead with Raj by my side.