Chapter 17

SEVENTEEN

T he soft glow of Ellie's computer screen illuminated her face in the otherwise darkened office. The clock on her desk blinked 11:23 p.m., a silent reminder of another late night at Madden Gaming. Ellie rubbed her eyes, the lines of code blurring together after hours of intense focus.

"Just one more bug to squash," she muttered to herself, fingers flying across the keyboard. The quiet hum of the air conditioning and the muted sounds of New York nightlife filtering through the windows were her only companions.

As if on cue, her phone buzzed, startling her in the silence. A text from Zy lit up the screen:

Still burning the midnight oil? Want a ride home?

Ellie's heart flopped, smiling despite her exhaustion. She typed back quickly:

My hero. Give me 15 minutes to wrap up.

His response came almost instantly: Take your time. I'll come up and grab you when I get there.

Ellie set her phone down, warmth spreading through her. It was silly, really, how much she looked forward to these little moments with Zy. A car ride home shouldn't make her pulse quicken, and yet...

She shook her head, forcing her attention back to the screen. "Focus, Madden. Debug now, daydream about your shifter boyfriend later."

Just as she was about to dive back in, her phone rang again. This time, her mother's smiling face appeared on the caller ID. Ellie sighed, knowing she couldn't ignore it without facing a barrage of worried texts later.

"Hi, Mom," she answered, leaning back in her chair.

"Elliot Marie Madden," her mother's voice crackled through the speaker, a mix of concern and exasperation. "Do you have any idea what time it is? Please tell me you're not still at the office."

Ellie winced. "I'm... just wrapping up?"

Her mother's sigh was audible. "Honey, you work too hard. When are you coming over for dinner? Your father's starting to think you've forgotten where we live."

"Soon, I promise," Ellie said, guilt gnawing at her. "Things have just been crazy with the new game launch and?—"

"And that's wonderful, sweetheart, but you need to take care of yourself too," her mother interrupted. "Which reminds me... any progress on the dating front? You know your cousin Sam's best friend is single now. He's always had a thing for you, and?—"

"Mom," Ellie groaned, cutting her off. "Please, no more setups. Actually, I'm... kind of seeing someone."

The excited squeal that erupted from the phone had Ellie holding it away from her ear. "Elliot! Why didn't you tell me? Who is he? What does he do? Is he handsome? When can we meet him?"

"Whoa, slow down." Ellie laughed, a blush creeping up her cheeks. "It's still new, okay? I don't want to jinx anything. But... his name is Zy…Zyan, actually. He's in the gaming industry too."

"Ooh, a fellow nerd," her mother teased. "Good, you need someone who can keep up with that big brain of yours. Is he cute? Please tell me he's cute."

Ellie's mind flashed to Zy's chiseled jaw, his intense golden-flecked eyes, the way his tailored suits hugged his broad shoulders. "He's... not bad to look at," she admitted, her voice a touch breathier than she intended.

Her mother's knowing chuckle made Ellie's blush deepen. "Well, well. Sounds like my baby girl is finally getting some action. It's about time. Just make sure he's worthy of you, okay? I won't have anyone breaking my little genius's heart."

"Mom!" Ellie exclaimed, mortified. "We're not... I mean, we haven't... Can we please change the subject?"

Her mother laughed again. "Fine. But I expect details soon, young lady. And bring this Zy around for dinner. Your father and I need to give him the third degree."

"Yes, Mom," Ellie said, rolling her eyes fondly. "I've got to go, okay? I'll call you tomorrow."

After exchanging I love yous and hanging up, Ellie sat back in her chair, a mix of emotions swirling in her chest. The warmth of her mother's enthusiasm clashed with the nervousness of making things with Zy "official" enough to meet the family. It was all happening so fast, and yet...

The sound of shattering glass jolted Ellie out of her reverie. She spun in her chair, heart pounding, to see a terrifyingly familiar figure climbing through the now-broken window.

"Surprise, sweetheart," Grant's voice dripped with malice as he straightened, flanked by three burly men. "Miss me?"

Ellie's blood ran cold. She scrambled for her phone, but Grant was faster, snatching it off the desk and tossing it across the room.

"Uh-uh," he tutted. "No calling for help. This is between us."

"Grant," Ellie said, fighting to keep her voice steady as she slowly stood. "What are you doing here? How did you get past security?"

Grant's smile was all teeth, no warmth. "Oh, you'd be surprised what a little cash can buy. Now, let's talk business, shall we? You owe me, Ellie. Big time."

"I don't owe you anything," Ellie spat, anger overtaking fear. "You stole my work, dragged my name through the mud. If anyone owes anyone?—"

Her words were cut off as Grant surged forward, grabbing her arm roughly. "Listen here, you frigid bitch. That game was as much mine as it was yours. And now you're raking in millions with this new one? I want my cut."

Ellie tried to wrench her arm away, but Grant's grip was like iron. "Let go of me," she hissed. "You're not getting a cent. Now get out before I call security."

Grant's laugh was cold and humorless. "Oh, I don't think so. See, my friends here?" He gestured to the three men who had spread out, blocking any escape routes. "They're going to help me make sure you understand just how serious I am."

One of the men hefted a baseball bat, swinging it experimentally. Ellie's eyes widened as she realized the gravity of the situation.

"You see," Grant continued, his voice deceptively casual, "two of these fine gentlemen are shifters. Pumas, to be exact. Very agile, very... hungry. So here's how this is going to go. You're going to transfer a very large sum of money into an account I'll provide. If you don't... well, let's just say there won't be much left of your precious office. Or you."

As if to emphasize his point, the man with the bat swung, connecting with a row of monitors. The crash of breaking electronics filled the air, and Ellie couldn't suppress a scream.

"Stop it!" she yelled, struggling against Grant's grip. "You can't do this!"

"Oh, but I can," Grant sneered. "And I will. Unless you want to cooperate?"

Ellie's mind raced. She needed to stall, to find a way out. Where was security? Where was?—

The office door burst open, and Ellie's heart leaped as she saw Zy silhouetted in the doorway. Relief flooded her system, quickly followed by terror.

"Zy, run!" she screamed. "Get out of here! They're shifters!"

But Zy didn't run. His eyes, glowing with an otherworldly light, took in the scene in an instant. A low, inhuman growl rumbled from his chest.

"Let. Her. Go." Each word was punctuated with barely contained rage.

Grant's grip on Ellie's arm tightened painfully. "Well, well. If it isn't the competition. Come to play hero?"

What happened next would be forever seared into Ellie's memory. In a blur of motion almost too fast to follow, Zy's form rippled and expanded. Where a man had stood moments before, a massive tiger at least eight feet long crouched, muscles coiled and ready to spring.

Ellie had known Zy was a shifter, but seeing his tiger form in action was something else entirely. He was massive. The raw power emanating from him was both terrifying and awe-inspiring.

Grant's shock was evident on his face, but he recovered quickly. "Take him down!" he barked to his companions.

The two shifters transformed in an instant, sleek puma bodies replacing human forms. They launched themselves at Zy, a whirlwind of claws and fangs.

Ellie watched in horror and awe as Zy met their attack head-on. His tiger form was poetry in motion, power and grace combined. He batted one puma away with a massive paw, sending it crashing into a desk. The other latched onto his back, but Zy rolled, crushing it beneath his weight.

The room was chaos – fur flying, desks overturned, the snarls and yowls of battling felines drowning out all other sound. Ellie barely registered Grant's grip loosening as he backed away, eyes wide with fear.

In her peripheral vision, Ellie saw the human attacker swing his bat wildly, connecting with more equipment. The crash jolted her into action. She wrenched free from Grant's slackened grip and made a dash for the door.

But Grant wasn't done. With a snarl of rage, he lunged after her. Ellie felt his hands on her back, shoving hard. She stumbled, her leg catching on a broken monitor. Pain lanced through her as she fell, glass slicing into her skin.

A roar that shook the very foundations of the building filled the air. Ellie looked up to see Zy, his tiger form splattered with blood, stalking toward Grant as he ran to the door. The fury in his golden eyes was terrifying to behold.

Grant, all bravado gone, ran. His remaining human companion was already long gone. The two pumas lay motionless on the floor.

As quickly as it had begun, the fight was over. Zy's form shimmered, and suddenly he was human again, kneeling beside Ellie.

"Are you all right?" he asked, his voice rough with concern. His hands hovered over her, as if afraid to touch her.

Ellie nodded, wincing as the movement sent a fresh wave of pain through her leg. "I think so. Just... a little cut up." She frowned at him. "Zy, your clothes."

Zy's expression darkened as he surveyed the damage. "We need to get you to a doctor. And I need to call Adonis for cleanup. I've got clothes in my car."

He found his phone on the floor and dialed quickly. "Adonis, we have a situation at Madden Gaming. Two dead pumas, major property damage. Bring the cleanup crew and alert the clinic. We'll need medical attention for a human."

As Zy spoke, Ellie couldn't help but marvel at the efficiency with which he handled the situation. This was a side of him she hadn't seen– the powerful CEO, the alpha shifter taking charge.

Zy ended the call and turned his attention back to Ellie. "Can you stand?" he asked gently.

Ellie tried to push herself up, but her injured leg buckled beneath her. Zy caught her before she could fall, scooping her into his arms as if she weighed nothing.

"I've got you," he murmured, his voice a soothing rumble against her ear. "You're safe now."

As he carried her out of the destroyed office, Ellie couldn't help but burrow closer into his chest, seeking comfort in his warmth and strength. Despite the chaos and pain of the night, she felt safer than ever.

Zy slid on sweats in his car and drove her to the clinic. As Zy carried Ellie into the private shifter clinic, the stark contrast between the chaos they'd left behind and the calm, sterile environment was jarring. The air smelled of antiseptic and something else, something almost... wild. Ellie supposed that made sense in a place that catered to shifters.

A nurse with glowing purple eyes - clearly a shifter herself - rushed to meet them, her eyes widening as she took in Ellie's bloodied state and Zy's disheveled appearance.

"Mr. Ashford," she said, her voice calm but urgent. "This way, please."

Zy followed her to a private room, gently laying Ellie on the bed. He hesitated, clearly reluctant to leave her side.

"I'm okay," Ellie assured him, reaching out to squeeze his hand. "You should go clean up your face."

Zy shook his head, his golden eyes intense. "I'm not leaving you."

Before Ellie could argue, a doctor entered. The woman's gaze flickered between Ellie and Zy, a knowing look in her eyes.

"Mr. Ashford, I assure you, your mate is in good hands," she said softly. "Why don't you use the adjoining bathroom to freshen up while I examine her?"

Ellie's breath caught at the word mate . She and Zy hadn't discussed that aspect of their relationship since he'd first revealed it to her. The weight of it hung in the air between them now, charged with unspoken meaning.

Zy hesitated for a moment longer, then nodded. He pressed a gentle kiss to Ellie's forehead before disappearing into the bathroom.

As the doctor began cleaning and examining Ellie's wounds, Ellie's mind whirled with everything that had happened. The attack, Zy's transformation, the revelation of his true strength and power...

"You're very lucky," the doctor's voice broke through her thoughts. "These cuts are deep but not life-threatening. No major damage, though you'll be sore for a few days."

Ellie nodded absently, her gaze fixed on the bathroom door. "Is he... will he be okay?"

The doctor followed her gaze, a small smile playing on her lips. "Mr. Ashford? He's fine. Shifters heal quickly, especially alphas like him. I'm more concerned about you. How are you feeling? And I don't just mean physically."

Ellie considered the question. How was she feeling? Shocked. Grateful. Terrified. Exhilarated. Safe. "I'm... processing," she settled on.

The doctor nodded understandingly. "That's normal. Finding out you're a shifter's mate can be overwhelming, especially when it comes with such... dramatic circumstances."

Ellie's eyes widened. "How did you?—"

"The way he looks at you," the doctor said simply. "The way he refused to leave your side."

Before Ellie could respond, the bathroom door opened and Zy emerged. He'd washed the blood from his hands and face. His eyes immediately sought out Ellie, relief washing over his features when he saw her sitting up.

"How is she?" he asked the doctor, moving to Ellie's side.

"She'll be fine," the doctor assured him. "The cuts are deep but didn't do any major damage. I've given her some stitches which will dissolve with time. I've also cleaned and bandaged the others. She should rest for a few days, but there won't be any lasting impairment. Maybe a small scar. I've given her something for the pain so she'll probably sleep for a while. Let her rest if she does. She's going to be really sore when she wakes up but the painkillers will take the brunt of it."

Zy nodded, his hand finding Ellie's and squeezing gently. "Thank you, Doctor."

As the doctor left, promising to return with discharge papers in the morning, a heavy silence fell between them. Ellie looked up at Zy, really looked at him. Despite his cleaned-up appearance, she could see the strain in his eyes and the tension in his shoulders.

"Are you okay?" she asked softly.

Zy let out a shaky breath. "Am I okay? Ellie, you're the one who was attacked. I should be asking you that."

"I'm fine," Ellie insisted lying back into the pillows. "Thanks to you. Zy... what you did back there... it was incredible."

A shadow passed over Zy's face. "It was necessary. If anything had happened to you?—"

"But it didn't." Ellie cut him off. She tugged on his hand, pulling him closer until he was perched on the edge of the bed next to her. "You saved me. You protected me."

Zy's free hand came up to cup her cheek, his touch infinitely gentle. "I will always protect you, Ellie. No matter what."

The intensity in his eyes took Ellie's breath away. She leaned into his touch, her heart racing. "I know," she whispered. "I trust you, Zy. Completely."

Something in Zy's expression shifted, a vulnerability she'd never seen before shining through. "Ellie, I... there's something I need to tell you. Something I should have said earlier."

Ellie's heart skipped a beat. "What is it?"

Zy took a deep breath, his gaze never leaving hers. "Do you remember when I explained about shifters at the river? I didn't really elaborate on mates."

Ellie nodded, realization dawning. "I've heard about mates. Like a soul mate, right?"

"Something like that…deeper. Stronger. I should have told you at the river, but I didn't want to throw too much at you at once."

"You mean..."

"You're my mate, Ellie," Zy said softly. "I've known since the moment I met you. My tiger recognized you instantly."

"And how does one mate?"

He cleared his throat. "During sex. I would mark you. Once mated, you'd be protected with some of my healing properties and there would be a link between us. One nobody could ever break."

"All that from a mark?"

"Yes."

"And I'm your mate?"

He nodded. "Only you."

Despite having suspected this, hearing Zy say the words out loud sent a thrill through Ellie. "But... what does that mean? For us?"

"It means that you're perfect for me in every way," Zy explained, his thumb tracing gentle circles on her cheek. "That my very soul recognizes yours as its other half. But Ellie, I need you to understand – this doesn't obligate you to anything. Just because my tiger recognizes you as my mate doesn't mean you have to?—"

Ellie cut him off by pressing her lips to his. The kiss was soft, tender, full of promise. When she pulled back, Zy's eyes were wide with wonder.

"I don't know much about mate bonds or shifter stuff," Ellie said softly. "But I do know what I feel for you... it's unlike anything I've ever experienced. And after tonight, seeing you risk everything to protect me... Zy, I want this. I want you."

The smile that broke across Zy's face was radiant. He pulled her closer, mindful of her injuries, and kissed her again. This kiss was deeper, more passionate, filled with all the emotions they'd been holding back.

When they finally parted, both slightly breathless, Ellie couldn't help but laugh. "You know," she said, a teasing glint in her eye, "I imagined when I told you that I love you, it wouldn't involve hospital gowns and the smell of antiseptic."

"Do you?"

She sighed and leaned into his arms. "I'm scared, Zy. So scared. Not of you. Of how deep and how fast I fell for you. It's unlike anything I've ever experienced. And yes, I love you. And I am scared but I wouldn't change it for anything in the world."

Zy kissed her and she almost cried at the way he held her. So much care and concern. So sweet. "I love you too, Ellie. More than I ever thought possible."

Ellie closed her eyes, the pain meds finally taking hold.