Page 64 of Claws and Controllers

Ellie smiled warmly. “It’s a partnership agreement. We want you to be an equal partner in our new venture.Infinite Unionis as much yours as it is ours.”

The room erupted in cheers and applause as Adonis, usually so composed, found himself at a loss for words. He pulled both Zy and Ellie into a tight embrace, the three of them sharing a moment of profound gratitude and friendship.

As the celebration continued into the night, Ellie found herself taking a moment to observe the room from a quiet corner. She watched as Zy charmed a group of investors, his natural charisma on full display. Her eyes drifted to where Noa was regaling some of Zy’s shifter relatives with animated stories, no doubt angling for an introduction to an eligible bachelor. Frankie and Adonis were still deep in conversation, their heads bent close together as they laughed over some shared joke.

“Quite a party, isn’t it?” a familiar voice said beside her.

Ellie turned to see her grandmother, Elena, joining her in her quiet observation. “It really is, Abuela. I still can’t quite believe it’s all real.”

Elena patted her hand affectionately. “Oh, it’s real,mi niña. And it’s only the beginning.” She cast an appreciative glance inZy’s direction. “You’ve chosen well, Elliot. A man who sees your worth, matches your passion, and isn’t afraid to stand beside you as an equal – that’s a rare find indeed.”

“He really is amazing, isn’t he? I never thought I’d find someone who could keep up with me, let alone challenge me to be better.”

“And those shoulders,” Elena added with a mischievous wink. “As I said before, your babies are going to be stunning – and probably tech geniuses to boot.”

“Abuela!” Ellie gasped, feeling her cheeks flush. But she couldn’t help the smile that spread across her face at the thought of a future family with Zy.

As if summoned by their conversation, Zy appeared at Ellie’s side, bowing slightly to Elena. “May I steal my bride for a dance?” he asked.

Laughing, Ellie allowed Zy to lead her onto the dance floor. As they swayed to the music, she rested her head on his chest, listening to the strong, steady beat of his heart.

“What are you thinking about?” Zy murmured, his hand tracing soothing patterns on her back.

Ellie tilted her head up to meet his gaze. “The future,” she replied honestly. “Our future. The game, the company, our life together... all of it.”

Zy’s eyes softened with affection. “And how does that future look to you?”

“Bright,” Ellie said without hesitation. “Challenging, exciting, probably a little scary at times... but so, so bright.”

In response, Zy dipped her low, capturing her lips in a kiss that left her breathless and sent the guests into a round of cheers and wolf-whistles.

As the night wound down and the last of the guests began to depart, Ellie and Zy found themselves back on the stage, this time to make their final announcement of the evening.

“Ladies and gentlemen,” Zy began, his voice carrying easily over the crowd, “we can’t thank you enough for sharing this incredible day with us. But before you go, we have one last surprise.”

Ellie picked up where he left off, her excitement palpable. “As you leave tonight, you’ll each be receiving a special limited edition copy ofInfinite Union. We hope you’ll enjoy playing it as much as we enjoyed creating it.”

The announcement was met with enthusiastic applause and excited chatter.

“But that’s not all,” Zy continued, a hint of pride in his voice. “We’re also proud to announce that a portion of all proceeds from the game will be going to a new foundation we’ve established – the Ashford-Madden Fund for Tech Education. Our goal is to provide opportunities for underprivileged youth to explore and excel in the fields of technology and game development.”

The room erupted in cheers once more, and Ellie felt her heart swell with pride and love. This was everything she’d ever dreamed of and more – a partner who shared her values, a career she was passionate about, and the ability to make a real difference in the world.

As the reception came to a close and they prepared to leave for their honeymoon, Ellie took one last look around the room. Her eyes met Zy’s, and in that moment, she knew with absolute certainty that this was just the beginning of an incredible journey.

“Ready to start our next great adventure?” Zy asked, offering her his arm.

Ellie slipped her hand into the crook of his elbow, her smile radiant. “With you? Always.”

EPILOGUE

Gerri Wilder sashayed through Letty Madden’s opulent Central Park South penthouse, a vibrant vision in her navy blue cocktail dress that complemented her silver bob. The scent of cilantro and lime mingled with the rich aroma of slow-cooked barbacoa, transporting her senses straight to the heart of Mexico City.

Her gaze swept across the room, taking in the elegant fusion of Mexican tradition and New York sophistication. Hand-paintedtalaveratiles adorned the bar where a mixologist crafted smoky mezcal cocktails with expert precision. In the corner, a mariachi band in elaborate charro suits strummed their guitars, their harmonies weaving through the chatter of excited guests.

“Gerri! There you are,” Mara Ashford’s melodic voice cut through the festive atmosphere. The statuesque shifter matriarch glided toward her, two flutes of champagne in hand. “We’ve been looking for you everywhere.”

Gerri accepted the proffered glass with a wink. “You know me, always on the prowl for the next perfect match.”

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