The weekend drifted by in quiet laughter and soft moments shared between Lorelei and Ledger. Their connection deepened with every conversation, every look that lingered too long. For the first time in a long while, Lorelei felt safe—safe enough to let her guard down, even if just a little.
When Monday arrived and the rhythm of lectures returned, she found herself slowly retreating again. The warmth she had felt with him now frightened her. What if this love turned into another heartbreak?
By mid-week, Ledger noticed her distance. One evening, he decided to go to her room.
"Hi," he said softly when she opened the door.
"Hey," she replied, her voice calm but guarded.
"How are you doing?"
"I'm good," she answered, avoiding his eyes.
He smiled gently. "Can I ask you something?"
"You just did," she said, teasing lightly, and that made him laugh.
Then, more seriously, he added, "Lorelei, you've been drifting away ever since last weekend. Did I do something wrong?"
She sighed, looking down at her hands. "No, you didn't. It's just… I'm scared, Ledger. Every time someone gets close, I end up hurt. And I don't think I can survive that again."
His expression softened. He stepped closer, lifting her chin slightly so she would meet his eyes. "I know you've been hurt before," he said. "But I'm not him, Lorelei. I won't hurt you. I don't care how broken you feel—I'll be here, every day, until you believe that."
His voice was steady, the kind that carried truth rather than promises. Her chest ached with a mixture of relief and fear.
"Why are you so good to me?" she whispered.
"Because you deserve someone who doesn't give up on you," he replied simply.
That was enough. She leaned in and hugged him, holding on a little longer than she meant to.
As night settled around them, Lorelei put on a movie. They sat together, her head resting against his chest, listening to the steady rhythm of his heartbeat beneath her ear. Every time she shifted, he would pull her a little closer, as though reassuring her without words that he wasn't going anywhere.
They laughed at the movie, teased each other, and when silence filled the room, it wasn't uncomfortable—it was peaceful. A kind of peace Lorelei hadn't felt in a long time.
At one point, she looked up at him and said softly, "You know, Ledger… I wolf you."
He blinked, surprised. "You what?"
She laughed quietly. "It means I love you. But in my own special way."
He smiled, his eyes warm. "Then in that case," he said, pulling her closer, "I wolf you too."
The rest of the night was spent in whispers, laughter, and quiet promises that needed no words. And though Lorelei's fear hadn't disappeared completely, she knew one thing for sure—this time, love felt different.
It felt real.