What lies in the shadow : From university to unexpected love.

Morning sunlight filters softly through the windows, casting a pale golden glow across the room. I blink my eyes open but don't move right away. The quiet hum of the house feels almost peaceful, a sharp contrast to the chaos that had filled my mind last night.

And then I realize something, I can't move.

Not because I'm restrained or stuck, but because David's arm is wrapped firmly around my waist, holding me close. My back is pressed against his chest, his body heat radiating into mine. I can feel his steady breathing, the rise and fall of his chest, and the quiet warmth of his presence. For a moment, I let myself simply enjoy it, the closeness, the safety, the unspoken connection we have during this hug.

I stay still, eyes closed, savoring it, until the sharp buzz of his phone cuts through the silence. His arm shifts slightly, and I immediately feel the loss of contact. He groans softly, reaching over me for the phone on the nightstand. His fingers brush along my side, sending a tickling sensation through my ribs.

"Hello?" His voice is rough with sleep, and something about hearing him like this, unguarded and raw, makes my heart skip.

I stay still, pretending to sleep, even though the moment suddenly feels so... intimate. Mundane in fact, like a normal couple waking up together.

"Cole," he says, sitting up slightly, pulling the covers around his waist. "Any news on the pack?"

Ok, now I am confused. The pack? My mind leaps to weird places. What is the pack ? We don't currently work with an animal pack. A package of food ? Of beer ? His voice drops, lower, more serious. I can't hear much, just the tone. Focused. Clipped. Like whatever he's discussing is important. He's quiet for a moment, listening, his expression tightening while I observe him discreetly.

"I see," he says finally, sighing. "Keep me updated. I need to know as soon as you hear anything."

He hangs up without another word and sits back on the bed, rubbing a hand across his face. He looks exhausted, lost in thought. I shift slightly, unsure if I should say something. When he turns toward me and sees I'm awake, his expression softens.

"Sorry about that," he murmurs, offering a half-smile. "That was Cole, my best friend. He's helping me with something and clearly doesn't know what time of the day is appropriate for a phone call."

I nod slowly, trying to process what I just overheard. "Anything important?"

He hesitates. I can see him debating what to tell me. Then he just shakes his head. "Not really. Just a bit of business I'm working on with him. I'm sure it's nothing."

Curiosity flickers inside me, but I don't push. If he doesn't want to talk about it, I'm not going to pry. Not now. Maybe not ever. Instead, I carefully slip out of the blankets, feeling the absence of warmth immediately. I sit up and stretch, trying to shake off the grogginess. The day is already moving forward, and whatever last night was… it's already starting to feel like an old memory.

I don't know where any of this is going. But for now, at least, I feel safe.