Chapter Twenty-Five: A New Beginning

Charlie slowly stirred awake, her mind still thick with the fog of sleep as warmth enveloped her. She nestled deeper into the comfort, feeling the steady rise and fall of the chest pressed against her back. The familiar safety of being held washed over her, and for a brief moment, she assumed it was Liam, as it had been the night before. But as her senses sharpened and sleep began to fade, something felt different.

The arms wrapped around her were larger, stronger, and there was an unfamiliar roughness to the way they held her. Her heart stuttered in her chest as realization struck—this wasn’t Liam.

It was Luther.

Her breath caught in her throat as her eyes fluttered open, her mind racing as she processed the fact that Luther, the man she had feared was pulling away from her, was here, holding her so close. His sleeping form was pressed against her, his strong arm draped protectively around her waist, his warmth seeping into her skin.

He came back.

The thought sent a rush of relief and confusion through her all at once. Just last night, she had been plagued with worry that Luther would want nothing to do with her—that he would pull away after walking out on her. But here he was, his body pressed firmly against hers, his hold gentle but secure, as if he never wanted to let go.

Charlie’s heart pounded in her chest as she turned slightly, careful not to disturb him. The morning light filtered softly into the room, casting a warm glow over his face. He looked so peaceful, his expression relaxed in sleep, the tension that so often lined his features completely gone.

For a moment, she just watched him, her gaze drinking in the sight of his handsome face. His strong jawline, the faint stubble that shadowed his chin, and the way his full lips parted slightly as he breathed deeply in sleep. His dark lashes fanned out across his cheekbones, and she couldn’t help but admire the way his muscled chest rose and fell with each steady breath.

He was beautiful.

Feeling a sudden surge of boldness, Charlie slowly reached up, her fingers trembling as they hovered over his face. She had never been this close to him before, never had the chance to study him so intimately. Her heart raced as she inched her hand toward him, wanting to trace the lines of his jaw, to feel the roughness of his stubble against her skin.

But just as her fingers hovered inches from his face, Luther’s eyes popped open.

Charlie froze, her hand still suspended in the air between them, her breath catching in her throat as their gazes locked. His golden eyes, so full of warmth and intensity, stared at her with an expression she couldn’t quite read. For a moment, neither of them moved, the air between them charged with a quiet anticipation.

Then, slowly, Luther reached out and gently wrapped his fingers around her wrist, guiding her hand the rest of the way to his face. His eyes fluttered closed at the contact, and he let out a soft, contented sigh as her fingers brushed along the rough line of his jaw.

Charlie’s heart skipped a beat, her nerves quickly melting away at the soft sound of his pleasure. She swallowed hard, her fingers trembling slightly as they traced the stubble along his chin. The warmth of his skin beneath her fingertips sent shivers through her, and despite her initial hesitation, a surge of confidence began to rise within her.

Luther’s eyes remained closed as he leaned into her touch, his breath deepening as he pressed his face more firmly into her hand. The gesture was so intimate, so vulnerable, that it made her chest ache.

“I’m sorry,” Luther whispered, his voice low and rough with sleep. His eyes opened slightly, glancing at her with a mixture of guilt and longing. “For walking out on you. I didn’t want to leave without a word, but… Rex—my wolf—can be rough. I didn’t want to scare you or accidentally hurt you.”

Charlie’s heart softened at his words, understanding dawning on her. He hadn’t left because he didn’t want her; he had left because he had been trying to protect her. The realization made the tight knot of worry in her chest begin to unravel. His apology, filled with sincerity and regret, made her see him in a new light—one that was gentler, more cautious than she had ever expected.

“I was worried,” Charlie admitted, her voice barely a whisper as she continued to caress his face. “I thought maybe… you didn’t want me.”

Luther’s eyes snapped open fully at that, a look of disbelief and almost pain crossing his face. “Not want you?” he repeated, his voice thick with emotion. “Charlie, I’ve wanted you since the moment I laid eyes on you. But I’m afraid of hurting you. You’re so delicate, and Rex... he can be a little wild.”

Charlie swallowed, the fear that had once gnawed at her suddenly replaced by something else—something stronger, more primal. She realized, with a jolt of surprise, that she wasn’t afraid of Luther’s wolf. She wasn’t afraid of his strength, or the passion he kept tightly controlled.

“I trust you,” she whispered, her voice firmer now. “I’m not scared of you, Luther. I want you.”

Her words hung in the air between them, and for a moment, Luther looked stunned. His hand tightened slightly on her wrist, as if grounding himself, his eyes darkening with a raw intensity that made Charlie’s pulse quicken.

Before she knew what she was doing, Charlie leaned in, her lips brushing lightly against his. The kiss was soft at first, tentative, but when Luther didn’t pull away, the surge of confidence inside her grew. Her lips pressed more firmly against his, her heart racing as the warmth of his mouth ignited something deep within her.

Luther’s initial shock quickly faded, and with a low, rumbling growl that vibrated in his chest, he responded. His lips moved against hers with a hunger that sent shivers down her spine, his hand slipping around her waist to pull her closer. The kiss deepened, their breath mingling as the spark between them flared into a fire.

Charlie’s fingers tangled in his hair, pulling him closer as their bodies pressed together, the heat between them rising with each passing second. All the uncertainty, the worry, the fear—it all melted away as she gave herself over to the moment, to the intensity of their connection.