Bound in the Shadows / TVD N.M

🦋~° 23 °~🦋

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Liora

As I made my way downstairs, every sense was heightened, picking up on the smallest details—the faint aroma of freshly brewed coffee, the sweet, comforting scent of waffles, and the warm sunlight pouring through the windows. It felt like stepping into a dream. The world seemed brighter, clearer, as if I'd crossed over into a realm I could finally touch and feel, after all those years spent wandering as a ghost and then as a wolf.

When I reached the kitchen, there was Nik, casually perched on a high chair at the kitchen island. He looked so at ease, a steaming mug in hand and a towering stack of golden waffles on a plate near the seat he'd obviously saved just for me. His eyes sparkled with that familiar, mischievous glint, and he gave a small nod as I entered.

"Hello, love," he greeted me, a grin tugging at the corners of his mouth.

I couldn't help but grin back, my eyes fixated on the waffles. They looked incredible, almost magical, and the thought of actually tasting them made my stomach growl. "Are the waffles for me?" I asked, eyeing the plate with a gleeful curiosity that even I found a little embarrassing.

Nik chuckled, waving his hand toward the seat next to him. "All yours. I thought you might need something grounding after... well, everything."

Sliding into the seat, I glanced at the stack of waffles as though they were the most beautiful thing I'd ever seen. And, in a way, they were. I picked up the fork he'd set out, feeling the cool, solid weight of it in my hand, and took a tentative bite. The taste was rich, the warmth buttery and sweet, and it melted on my tongue in a way that made me moan, savoring the texture. It was heavenly.

The joy was real. Nik had fed me the occasional treat when I was in wolf form—usually practical, dog-friendly meals, like that night he received the news of another doppelgänger. But now, finally, I could experience the entire spectrum of flavors I'd only ever dreamed of. The waffles were rich and sweet, and I devoured the first few bites in complete bliss, barely noticing anything around me.

When I glanced up, I saw Nik watching me, his gaze warm yet intense, his eyes fixed on mine as if he were drinking in every detail of my reactions. Feeling a bit flustered, I blurted out, "Do I... have something on my face?"

His smirk widened, a teasing glint in his eyes. "No, love. Only the beauty that shines from you."

I rolled my eyes, feeling a blush creep up my cheeks despite myself. His simple comment sent butterflies fluttering through my stomach, that familiar yet new feeling stirring inside me. "How long was I... well, out?"

Nik's smirk softened, his face becoming more serious as he replied, "About twenty-four hours. Not too much to miss, but we've got time to catch up." His voice held a reassuring tone, but there was something deeper in his eyes, as if he'd been holding onto some worry in those hours I'd been gone.

I took a moment to look around the kitchen and take in our surroundings. This wasn't just any house—it was a mansion. The kitchen was sleek and modern, with high-end appliances and luxurious, glossy counters. The walls were painted a warm cream, and light bounced off the stainless steel surfaces, giving the entire room a soft, inviting glow. Everything looked pristine, with an elegance that matched Nik's old-world charm, but there was a comforting vibe too.

"Where is everyone else?" I asked, suddenly curious about the pack—Molly, Jackson, Daisy, and all the others I'd come to think of as my family. "Are they here too?"

Nik leaned back slightly, his expression softening. "Some of them are camping in the woods again," he said with a chuckle, "They seem to have a strange fondness for it. And some are staying nearby, at a hotel in the next town over." His eyes met mine, reassuring. "They're all safe. Even after Mikael's compulsion, they were unharmed. Once he... left us, the commands on them were lifted. No more threats. They're free."