Page 44 of Claws and Controllers

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.”

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