Her Dryad Dom (Beastly Falls)

Chapter 3 Aspen

I awoke in Dom's eco-house, feeling unbelievably refreshed despite the bizarre events of the previous day. The house captivated me with its handcrafted furniture, walls that seemed to grow out of the wood itself, and windows that framed the forest as if it were alive. I slid from the bed, my bare feet sinking into the plush moss carpet as I explored the space.

"Wow," I whispered, running my hand along a carved wooden bannister. The house felt like an extension of the forest... and Dom himself. Perfect. As I admired the craftsmanship of the house, my thoughts unavoidably drifted back to my grumpy yet undeniably intriguing host.

"Get your head out of the gutter, Aspen," I muttered to myself, attempting to clear my mind of any inappropriate thoughts involving Dom's strong, possessive hold he'd had on me yesterday. My cheeks flushed as I continued my exploration, unable to shake the image of his stern face softened by a rare smile.

I ventured further into the house, each room revealing more of Dom's connection to the natural world. It was clear he was deeply intertwined with this place, both physically and emotionally. And as much as his grumpiness frustrated me, I couldn't help but admire his skill.

"Maybe we're not so different after all," I mused. I, too, had once been driven by a passion for defending the environment. But as the years went by and my career in corporate law consumed me, that fire within me had dwindled.

"Maybe Beastly Falls is exactly what I need," I murmured, feeling a renewed sense of purpose.

I considered how the town might offer a chance at redemption, not just for my case but also for myself. If I could uncover the truth behind Beastly Falls and protect it from those who sought to exploit it, perhaps I could realign with my original passion for protecting nature. The thought of fighting for something meaningful again, of making a genuine difference in the world, sent a shiver down my spine.

"First, I need to understand what's really going on here," I said to myself, my resolve hardening. "And that means getting Dom and the townspeople to trust me. Beastly Falls might be my second chance, but it won't come without a fight."

The challenge before me was daunting, but determination coursed through my veins like wildfire. I knew that earning their trust wouldn't be easy, but I was willing to face whatever obstacles lay ahead.

Every daunting task was a bit easier with a full belly. I found myself in the heart of Dom's eco-house, a sudden urge to cook breakfast washing over me.

"Let's see what we have here," I murmured, rummaging through the cabinets. Simplicity reigned in this kitchen... I discovered eggs, fresh vegetables, and some herbs. Perfect for a delicious omelette.

As I cracked the eggs into a bowl, my thoughts drifted to Dom. His grumpy demeanor was both frustrating and intriguing. There was a quiet strength and care hidden beneath his bark-like exterior. I couldn't help but smile as I muttered under my breath, "Hot, all bark, and probably the best kind of bite."

I shook my head at myself, feeling foolish for entertaining such thoughts. But the truth was, I felt drawn to him despite our differences. I whisked the eggs, trying to shift my thoughts back to the task at hand. Chopping vegetables with precision, I became aware of the silence that enveloped the house. Despite the soft forest noises outside, it didn't keep me from feeling Dom's absence. Even though I'd just met him and barely knew him, I wondered where he was and what he was doing.

The aroma of sizzling vegetables and eggs filled the kitchen, a comforting warmth that had begun to relax the tense muscles in my shoulders. As I plated the two omelettes, my thoughts were interrupted by the sound of the door slamming open with enough force to rattle the windows.

Dom stormed in, his face dark as a thundercloud, clutching my backpack in one hand. In a swift motion, he tossed it onto the counter, scattering my legal documents like fallen leaves on the forest floor. My breath hitched in my throat as I froze, unsure what was coming next.

"Thought you could just waltz into Beastly Falls and steal the town from under our noses?" His voice was low and accusatory, gesturing at the papers littering the countertop.

I felt a surge of indignation rising within me, fueled by the injustice of his accusation. Once I'd set both plates on the table, I turned on him. "I came here to figure out why the town hasn't responded to legal notices," I shot back, my voice steady despite my racing heart. "I have no intention of harming anyone."

"Is that so?" Dom's eyes narrowed, scrutinizing me with an intensity that made me feel like I was back in a courtroom, defending myself against a ruthless prosecutor. But there was something else behind those piercing eyes... a flicker of vulnerability that I couldn't quite place.

"Look, I understand your concerns," I said, trying to appeal to whatever shred of trust might exist between us. "But I'm not here to take away your home. If anything, I'm trying to protect it."

Dom stared at me, his chest heaving with the weight of unspoken emotions. The air between us crackled with tension. As his gaze met mine, I felt a shiver of excitement mixed with fear. I knew I was walking a dangerous line, but there was something magnetic about Dom's intensity that drew me in like a moth to a flame.

"Trust me," I whispered, hoping he could see the sincerity in my eyes. "I'm on your side."

"Explain this, then," Dom growled, jabbing his finger at the acquisition paperwork. His bark-like skin seemed even more pronounced now, as though fueled by his anger. "This doesn't look like the work of a protector."

I faced Dom head-on, refusing to back down. My heart slammed in my chest, but I wouldn't back down. "That's because it isn't," I said firmly. "It's the work of my client. I could have rubber-stamped everything from my office and washed my hands of it. But instead, I chose to come here, to Beastly Falls, to get to the bottom of things myself."

As I spoke, I saw Dom's scowl soften slightly, though not enough to erase the lines of mistrust etched across his face. It was clear that he cared deeply about this town and its inhabitants... A loyalty I couldn't help but admire, even if it was currently misdirected.

"Look, Dominik," I continued, my voice softer but no less resolute. "I'm not the enemy here. Preventing shit like this was exactly why I became a lawyer. I wanted to understand why the town hadn't responded to the legal notices. So I came here to uncover the truth, whatever it may be."

For a moment, we stood there in silence, locked in a battle of wills that was as charged as the air before a storm. Finally, Dom sighed, his grumbling voice betraying his lingering uncertainty. "Alright. I'll accept your explanation... for now. But your presence here disrupts the delicate balance of our town."

His words stung, but I knew that beneath them lay a fierce desire to protect what was dear to him. And as much as I wanted to gain his trust, I couldn't deny that my own motives were driven by a similar passion.

"Then help me," I urged, my eyes searching his for any sign of acquiescence. "Help me understand what's at stake here. Help me find a way to protect Beastly Falls without causing harm. Because if we can't send some kind of objection... you'll lose everything."

Dom regarded me with an inscrutable expression, the weight of his decision hanging heavy in the air between us. "Fine," he finally muttered, breaking the silence. "But if you're lying, I won't hesitate to make you regret it."

"Tell me more about the curse. If I can understand it, maybe we can reverse it so I can send the objections to the land seizure." I pressed, my curiosity piqued by the town's mysterious affliction. I needed to understand the root of his protectiveness and how it played into the larger picture. Plus, I just wanted to learn more about this alluring dryad that seemed to be sweeping me off my feet, one grumpy line at a time.

"None of your business," he snapped, his eyes narrowing as his gruff exterior returned in full force. "It's not my place to reveal the town's secrets. Besides, I'm not sure your client can even take the land if they can't pass the barrier."

"Fine," I said, trying to hide my disappointment. "Then who can tell me? If I'm going to help Beastly Falls, I need to know everything I can about this curse."

"I'll take you to the mayor. She can deal with you." Dom said, clearly irritated.

"Okay," I agreed hesitantly. I was determined to uncover the truth, no matter the obstacles in my path. My eyes flicked over to the breakfast I had prepared earlier, and I couldn't help but feel a small sense of satisfaction when I saw Dom's gaze linger on the plate.

He must have sensed my attention, because his own eyes met mine for a moment. There was an unspoken understanding between us, a brief truce in our verbal sparring. Without uttering a word, he grabbed the plate I set out for him.

"Thanks," he muttered quietly, his demeanor softening ever so slightly as he took a bite of the breakfast. It was a small victory, but it felt like progress. "Don't do it again."

Well, so much for progress.