Zander checked the address Candice gave him and inhaled. Izzy was here for sure. According to the wretched woman, the place belonged to Isabel’s friend, Tessa. Based on the warm familiar scents surrounding the house, this was someone Isabel loved and visited often.

Taking a quick breath, he knocked on the door.

“Just a minute. I’m coming,” a voice called from the opposite side. A moment later, a pixie-like woman with purple hair opened the door. “Yes, may I help you?”

“I certainly hope so. I’m Zander Petrov, and I’m looking for—”

A grin spread across the woman’s elven features and she held up one hand. “Isabel. You’re looking for Isabel Lassiter, right?”

He matched her grin with one of his own. “Yes, thank you.”

She moved aside and waved him in. “I’m Tessa Martin. Izzy’s friend. I’m really glad you’re here, Zander. Iz showed up last night. In all the years I’ve known her, I never saw her that shaken up. She was naked and afraid, and I don’t mean the television series. Between you and me, she told me some of what happened, and between us, she was pretty freaked out, so I hope you brought more than just your shifter charm with you.”

Zander nodded. He liked Izzy’s friend already. “Last night was a lot for any shifter to handle, let alone one completely unprepared for the experience.”

“C’mon. I’ll take you inside. I think she was hoping you’d show up.” Tessa angled her head. “My gut was right about you. You didn’t stand her up.”

He smiled, shaking his head. “Nope. And even if I wanted to, my wolf wouldn’t let me. She’s the one, Tessa.” He winkled. “If you know what I mean. One in a million.”

“So, my Cinderella is getting her fairytale then?”

He shrugged. “That’s up to her.”

Tessa led the way and then politely excused herself. “I think you need to talk, alone. I’m taking your keys, Izzy.” She jangled the set, trying to get her attention. “I’ll crash at the studio tonight, if you need me.”

Neither Izzy nor Zander said a word or even acknowledged her leaving. Their eyes met and held.

He slipped onto the coffee table in front of the couch. They were knee to knee, and he rubbed her thighs through her leggings. She looked beautiful, even though she’d been crying.

“Why did you run?” he asked. “There was no reason. I was there.”

Her breath hitched in her throat. “I don’t know, Zander. I was scared.”

“Of what? Me?”

She sat up straighter and covered his hands on her thighs with her own. “No, of course not. I was afraid of myself. I didn’t know how to get back to being…well, me.”

He laughed out loud and then lifted her fingers to his lips, kissing her knuckles. “It’s simple, Iz. You just have to picture yourself in your human form, and poof. You shift. It’s the same way the other way ‘round, too. I told you it might take something profound to spark your first shift. From what you said, you were too young when your mom died. I’m surprised it didn’t happen when your dad passed.”

“I told you, we weren’t close.”

He nodded. “I’m just sorry I wasn’t there to help when it was happening.”

“I was so angry.” Her voice was low and her chin dropped to her chest.

He lifted her face so she had to look at him. “There is no reason for you to be upset with yourself. You had every reason to be angry, and you know what? You had the last laugh. That chick Alison? She duped Candice Gordon for the last five years. She showed up claiming to be the long-lost daughter she gave up for adoption, and it was a scam. You were the one she should have banked on. Not that impostor.”

Isabel’s mouth dropped open. “Holy shit! Poor Candice.”

He kissed her fingers again. “I was right, you are too nice.” He fished in his pocket for his phone. “I have something to show you.” Clicking on his screen, he scrolled to the last picture taken. “It’s your paw print.” He handed her the phone and watched as she stared at the image.

“At first I couldn’t figure out why it seemed so familiar, but after I left the party it hit me. Your pack is the same as my mom’s.”

“My pack?” Isabel’s eyes jerked up from the pic.

He nodded. “Yes. I told you your scent told me you were wolf, and I was right.”

“So, I’m the same pack as your mother?”

He nodded again.

“Ugh, please tell me we’re not related. I don’t think I could survive if you tell me I just slept with my cousin.”

He laughed. “We’re not related, Izzy. Not by blood, anyway. You just belong to the same pack as my mom. It’s huge. Very old and very strong. Why your father never let you know your family is beyond me. They’re good people.”

She glanced at the pic again. “I always assumed they didn’t want anything to do with me for the same reason they never accepted him as my mother’s husband.” She shrugged. “Human blood.”

Zander frowned. “That is the only reason that would hold water. But things have changed. The mark on you paw belongs to a single branch of the West Russian River pack, and if my nose is correct, I know your grandmother. I used to visit her when I was a child.”

Izzy balked. “My grandmother?”

He nodded. “Maybe one day you’ll let me take you to meet her. She’s strong and sassy, and I guarantee they would welcome you with open arms. Especially since you’re my mate.”

Her eyes found his and held. “Am I your mate?”

“As far as I’m concerned, yes, but I told you, you have to accept me, first.” He moved from the coffee table and slid onto the couch beside her.

Isabel barely waited for him to get his butt on the cushion before she straddled his lap. She snaked her arms around his neck and kissed him. “Take me, Zander. Mate me, bite me. Make me yours forever.”

He growled against her lips, the hard bar of his cock pressing between her legs. “Ready for the ride of your life?” he asked.

She nodded. “Ready and willing. Let the magic swirl.”