Page 36 of Claws and Controllers

Zy came around to join her, standing close enough that she could feel his body heat. “I found this place years ago. It’sbecome a sort of sanctuary for me. I’ve never brought anyone here.”

The weight of his admission hung in the air between them. Ellie turned to face him, her heart pounding. “Thank you for sharing it with me.”

Their eyes locked, and for a moment, Ellie thought he might kiss her again. Instead, Zy smiled softly and said, “Come on, there’s a great spot for skipping stones over there.”

As they stood by the crystal-clear lake, Zy’s expression grew serious. “Ellie, there’s something I need to tell you. Something important about me.”

Ellie’s heart skipped a beat, her mind racing. “Oh god, you’re not married, are you? Or have a secret family stashed away somewhere?”

Zy blinked, taken aback. “What? No, nothing like that. I’m... well, there’s no easy way to say this. So I’m going to spit it out…I’m a shifter. A tiger shifter, to be exact.”

Ellie stared at him for a long moment, then burst out laughing. “Oh, thank god. I thought you were going to tell me you had a girlfriend or something.”

It was Zy’s turn to look confused. “You’re... not freaked out?”

Ellie shrugged. “Honestly, after everything I’ve been through, finding out you can turn into a giant cat is practically a relief. Although...” She narrowed her eyes playfully. “This better not be your way of telling me you cough up hairballs on my carpet.”

Zy chuckled, visibly relaxing. “I promise, no hairballs. Though I can’t guarantee I won’t purr if you scratch behind my ears.”

“Noted,” Ellie grinned. “So, do you like, shed everywhere? Should I invest in a really big lint roller?”

Zy rolled his eyes but couldn’t hide his smile. “Very funny. I’ll have you know I’m very well-groomed in both forms.”

“Ooh, both forms,” Ellie wiggled her eyebrows. “So that’s how you were so good with the shifter characters in my game. Insider knowledge, huh?”

“Guilty as charged,” Zy admitted. “Though I have to say, your interpretation of shifter psychology is impressively accurate. You sure you’re not hiding some fur and whiskers yourself?”

Ellie struck a dramatic pose. “Alas, I’m boringly human. Though I did go through a cat-girl phase in high school. Does that count?”

Zy laughed, pulling her close. “Close enough. So, you’re really okay with this? With me being... different?”

Ellie looked up at him, her expression softening. “Zy, you’re smart, funny, kind, and apparently can turn into a majestic jungle cat. If anything, I’m starting to think I’m getting the better end of this deal.”

“Oh really?” Zy’s eyes twinkled. “Even if I tell you I sometimes like to chase laser pointers?”

Ellie gasped in mock horror. “Deal breaker! Next thing you’ll tell me is you prefer dogs.”

“Never,” Zy declared solemnly. “Cats rule, dogs drool. It’s a scientific fact.”

As they bantered back and forth, Ellie marveled at how easy this felt. How natural it was to accept this extraordinary revelation about Zy. It should have been earth-shattering, but instead, it just felt like one more fascinating layer to the man she was quickly falling for.

“So,” she said, a wicked grin spreading across her face, “does this mean I get to make cat puns now? Because I have to say, that sounds purr-fect to me.”

Zy groaned, but his eyes sparkled with amusement. “I’m starting to regret this already. But I suppose I’ll just have to grin and bear it. Or should I say... grin and tiger it?”

Their laughter echoed across the lake, a joyful sound full of promise and newfound understanding. As they made their way back to the car, hand in hand, Ellie couldn’t help but think that maybe, just maybe, she’d found someone truly special. Someone who could match her wit, challenge her mind, and apparently turn into a giant cat.

Life had a way of messing with her. She still couldn’t wrap her mind around being out there, spending the day with Zy and his obvious desire to want to get to know her.

“You look like you’re thinking too hard,” he said, his gaze locked on hers.

“I’m just still surprised that you want me. I’m not really the kind of woman guys like you go for.”

“Guys like me?”

“You know, tall, muscular, and super hunky.”

He chuckled. “Thanks for the compliment, but you’re absolutely everything I want.”

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