Perhaps this is a mistake. It is most likely a mistake. But I cannot stay away from Isa. I've tried.

The car stops at the curb. "Arrived at destination," the mechanical voice purrs.

I look out the window, only to find Isa up against a wall and a man doubled over in pain not very far in front of her. No male could mistake the reason for that position. And from where Isa is standing, it's clear she was the one to land the blow. What was that man doing that pushed her to react violently?

My beast stirs at the thought.

"Thank you, Nina. Please wait here."

"Yes, sir," the car responds in a pleasant, programmed contralto.

I step out and close the door behind myself, taking in the other men arranged a little behind the one just straightening. For some reason, they are all dressed in shirts that are too snug and jeans with the ridiculous plastic fibers so popular these days. There's no accounting for taste.

I close the distance between us swiftly and silently. "Isa," I call out as I near. "Is there a problem here?" I keep one eye on the men, particularly the one nearest her.

"Adir? You came for me?" Isa asks, her voice both hopeful and surprised.

I turn to her, the hope in her voice making my own rise a bit more. Her face is soft and welcoming. Could she be happy to see me? "Yes."

Before I can figure out what to say next, the library door opens and Isa's father emerges, his eyes narrowed as he surveys the scene.

"What's going on out here?" he demands. "Isa?"

"Gideon was just leaving," Isa says, her eyes going back to the injured man.

Gideon's eyes narrow. He doesn't like the dismissal in her tone. Not at all. Too bad. His eyes turn to me, the rage in them clear. I understand rage, though his is a pale comparison to the swelling emotion I fight to keep contained. Cute.

"What are you doing here?" he demands. "Leave! Isa is mine now! You have no claim!" he screams, his face red, his hands clenched into fists at his sides. "Stick to your own kind you Singarti asshole!"

My beast, already so close to the surface, starts to slip. "This is not a good idea. You will lose," I warn in a low voice as he takes a step closer to me. "Leave." He does not know what he is playing with.

"She's mine," he shouts. And then he launches himself at me, his face twisted with rage. He's a flurry of punches as he reaches me, but I hardly notice them. This male says Isa is his. I must show him that he's wrong. I punch him, hard enough that his head snaps back and he stumbles. "Isa is mine," I growl, taking a step toward him.

I take his shoulder in hand and land another punch in his stomach, doubling him over. He lands another blow to my side, but I shake it off.

"You need to leave. Now," I try again.

But before I can drive the point home, the other men hanging back decide it's their turn to try their luck. Perhaps the whole group of them are mentally deficient. Snarling, I throw off the one that launches himself at my back, using him to bowl another one over. I catch another one's fist as he throws it at me and watch as his eyes widen.

"Yes. This was a mistake," I confirm, "but perhaps a good learning experience."

I crush his hand and shove him back as he screams. The others fight me for a few more moments, but they're no match for my beast's possessiveness, its raging desire to stake a claim on Isa. Gideon tries one more time, coming up from behind with an illegal baton. I snap a hand up to stop his swing and rip it out of his hands. He finally looks afraid as he moves back instead of following through with his attack. Good. He's learning.

"Go!" I bark out to him.

His eyes slide over to Isa. I move towards him threateningly and that's it. He turns and runs, his weak group taking their cue and following suit. I'm breathing hard as I watch, making sure they don't turn back around. The ensuing silence is almost harsh after the brief intensity of the violence. I slowly come back to myself, my beast winding down now that the threat is gone and the man comes back for what really matters.

I turn to Isa, where she and her father are standing, and walk over. She’s back in her old clothing with smears of dirt on her face and hands, her hair falling out of her messy ponytail. Beautiful. She's perfect. Real. When I'm in front of her, I drop down to one knee, reaching into my pocket to pull out a ring box. I open it. When I saw the silver band with diamonds arranged in a delicate flower, I knew it was perfect for Isa.

Her eyes widen. "Adir..." she whispers.

I take her hand in mine. "Isa," I start, my heart beating even faster than when I faced her enemies. This is more important. This has the power to break me, fully and completely. "I love you," I say simply. "I want to marry you."

Her eyes widen, her hand gripping mine tightly.

Yes.

Say yes.

Everything inside me waits with bated breath, the chasm of refusal yawning to one side. And the light of possibility on the other. I watch her eyes as she searches my face, her surprise slowly softening.

Please.

"I...yes," she says, smiling tentatively.

"Yes?" I repeat.

She chuckles, the sound a little wet as tears gather in her eyes. "Yes. Yes, I love you. I want to marry you."

Yes. I can't stop the smile that stretches from ear to ear. Yes. She said yes.

I slide the ring onto her finger and stand, pulling her in against me, needing her close.

She said yes.

My beast's feral edge eases. The man, who I am apart from the beast, rises up. Strengthens. This is more than I ever expected. I didn't know what she would say. I almost don't know what to do with the complete acceptance, I was so on the edge, prepared for rejection. But even as I come to grips with the fact that I have what I want most, that Isa said yes, I remember I can't forget the other Stone.

I turn to her father. His mouth is hanging open as he stares, completely stunned at the turn of events.

"Mr. Stone, I would like to ask your permission to marry your daughter," I say solemnly. His refusal won't stop me, but I want Isa to be happy and she loves her father. "I'll forgive all the library's debts and protect it in the future if you agree to give your blessing to our union."

I'll do that even he doesn't give his blessing but I'm not above using whatever perceived leverage I have. Not when it means Isa's happiness.

He turns to Isa as she pulls back to look at him. "This is what you want?" he asks.

She nods, looking up at me with love shining in her eyes. Love for me. My heart clenches.

"Yes," she says. "This is what I want."

He nods, a rueful smile crossing his face. Then he turns to me, holding out his hand. "Then I give my blessing. I don't know exactly how things twisted around to end up here but I want Isa to be happy. And if you promise to make her happy, keep her safe, I give my blessing."

I nod, taking the proffered hand in mine. "I promise," I say seriously. "You will have no need to worry."

He nods. "I'll be watching," he warns.

"Father!" Isa gasps.

"I understand." And I do.

I want to take her home immediately. But I have one more obligation today. I turn back to Isa. "I need to attend a cotillion tonight. I would be honored if you would join me as my fiancee."

Isa smiles, cupping the back of my neck and going on her tip toes. I lean down so she can kiss my cheek. "Yes." Then she frowns as she goes back down flat on her feet. "But I don't know if I have anything to wear for a cotillion."

"I've already taken care of it," I reassure her.

"You have, have you?" she says with an arched brow. "You were pretty confident of my answer then."

"I was hopeful," I counter. "Maybe verging on delusional," I add. She chuckles, shaking her head. "In any case, I have a dress for you in the car. I think you'll like it."

"I'm hoping it isn't short," she warns.

I smile. "It isn't. I'll get it for you."

As Isa goes inside to get ready, her father turns to me with narrowed eyes. "If you hurt her, I will come after you," he warns now that Isa is out of hearing. "I don't care if you're a Singarti."

I nod. "Of course."

He smiles slightly and slaps me on the back. "Just so we're clear."

Then he wanders inside, ostensibly to get some work done. Alright. That went much better than expected.

I go to the car, pulling out the dress I had made for Isa. In truth, I commissioned it as soon as she came to me. I wanted to take her with me even before I really knew her. Before I loved her. I carry it inside and find her bedroom, steam coming from the open bathroom door. I wait, trying not to dwell on the fact that she's naked just through that thin curtain. Naked and wet. When she comes out in just a towel, all I want to do is throw her down and take her but we don't have time. And I want to make a public claim at the cotillion.

She stops when she sees me waiting. I take the dress out of the packaging.

"Oh, Adir..." she says softly, taking in the shimmering champagne fabric, the full skirt, the off the shoulder cut of the bodice. "It's wonderful."

I smile, pleased she likes it. "Let me help you put it on," I say.

She drops the towel and I almost swallow my tongue, my blood rushing to one very interested place.

"Let me get some underwear," she says, walking away with a knowing sway of her hips.

I growl, but hold myself back. There's no time. I force myself to just watch the temptation of her. She pulls on panties without any fuss, though it's still the sexiest thing I've ever seen. Then she turns back to me and I help her step into the dress, smoothing it up her torso. Cupping her breasts and squeezing.

"Just making sure it fits," I say a little hoarsely as I let go and zip her up.

"Of course," she says with a smile and a look over her shoulder.

I return her smile then step back and take her in. "Perfect," I breathe. She looks amazing. The shimmer of the dress brings out her eyes and the deep brown of her hair.

"Thank you. But I need a little time for my hair and makeup."

I nod, sitting down.

"Are you going to watch?" she asks, going to her dresser.

"Yes."

And I do, fascinated by the delicate touch of cosmetics and the way she adjusts her hair just so. When she's finally satisfied, she slips in to matching shoes.

"Ready?"

"Yes," she says taking my arm with a smile. "Let's go."

Her father walks us out to the car and then we're making the drive to Herne's cotillion, Isa's hand held in mine. Herne's holding it in the ballroom at one of his high-rises, the line of cars stretching down the block as people arrive. Invitations are coveted. Herne knows how to throw an event. When we reach the front, I help Isa out of the car, telling Nina to park until I call for her. We take the elevator up to the correct floor.

"Wow," Isa says as we walk into the ballroom, her eyes taking in the grand space.

And it is grand. The ceilings are high, the chandeliers twinkling, the windows open up to a city view that rivals my own. The elite of society and their daughters are here, dressed in their finest. But None can hold a candle to Isa.

"Adir!"

I turn as Herne walks towards us, his eyes taking in Isa and lighting with appreciation. My beast stirs, but I keep it in check. Isa is mine. There’s no doubt about that.

I greet him. "This is Isabelle Stone. My fiancee."

The shock that washes over his faces is quite a sight. It's more than a little satisfying to surprise him so thoroughly. But he recovers quickly.

"It is in an honor to meet you," Herne says, bowing over Isa's hand.

She smiles. "It's nice to meet you too."

We chat for a bit, but then I lead Isa over to the dance floor, wanting an excuse to hold her close.

"I love you," I say, my eyes on hers as I lead us in the dance, her hand in mine, my arm around her waist.

"I love you too," she says warmly, the sincere response filling me with emotion.

I don't know if I'll ever grow tired of hearing it. We simply hold each other and dance. I have all I want. I have all I need in Isa. Everything else I've ever wanted pales in comparison and I have absolutely no desire to stay the whole night. We've made an appearance, I've staked my claim. Now I want her alone. Where I can stake my private claim.

When I judge we've stayed long enough, I lead her outside.

"I know there was supposed to be dessert," she giggles as we walk.

"You will be dessert," I counter, sweeping her up into my arms so she doesn't have to walk in the delicate heels.

Her eyes darken and she wraps her hands around my neck as I carry her to the car. "I'd like that," she whispers.

I cannot wait to have her again. I don't know if I will ever be fully satiated. My hold on her tightens. We cannot get home fast enough. Even my inner beast fades at the utter wash of rightness, of contentment. I don't know how she could love me, but she does. She's all mine.

Body, heart, and mind.

Mine.

I don't know if I deserve it, but I know I will do everything in my power to make her happy. And I also know I will love every moment of it. I lean down to rest my head against her silky hair, breathing in her scent. I've found home, found my true sanctuary, and it's better than I could have ever imagined.