Her Dryad Dom (Beastly Falls)

Chapter 8 Dom

I snatched the phone off the stand and answered more abruptly than I'd intended. "What?"

"Dom, something strange is happening." Mayor Sylvia's insistent tone grabbed my attention. Her voice was laced with concern, which was unusual for the normally bubbly siren.

"Like what?" But now that she mentioned it, I felt the shifting energy around Beastly Falls.

"Only mated couples seem to be able to communicate with the outside world or leave town. Something has changed."

I frowned, considering the implications of her words. "Let me check something," I said, concentrating my energy into the nature connection that all dryads shared. The barrier felt different... more fluid than it had ever been before. And then I felt it... a monster passing through one of the bramble barriers. They'd made it through the town's barrier.

"Shit," I muttered under my breath. My branches quivered with agitation, my leaves rustling loudly in response to the discovery.

"The barrier has changed, and a monster has made it through. Does this mean what I think it means?"

"I think so," Sylvia confirmed, her concern fading as quickly as it had appeared. "Could the curse finally be over? Or at least for some of us?"

"I don't know, maybe?"

Aspen tilted her head as she watched my conversation with the mayor.

"Try your phone," I suggested to Aspen. "Now that we're mated, you might be able to communicate with the outside world."

Aspen pulled out her phone and her eyes widened as she saw the signal bars. "You're right! I have a connection!" She rushed to her computer and began gathering documents to send in an email. Her laptop screen flashed with various documents as her fingers flew over the keyboard. My heart pounded in my chest with a mix of excitement and apprehension. We finally had a chance to protect Beastly Falls from the encroaching threat.

"Dom, tell Mayor Sylvia she'll need to sign some papers," Aspen instructed, her fingers flying over the keyboard. I could see the determination in her eyes.

"Mayor Sylvia, Aspen says you'll need to sign some documents," I relayed the message through the phone.

"Unfortunately, I can't use any technology since I don't have a mate," Sylvia admitted, her usual bubbly demeanor tinged with regret. "I'll appoint you as my deputy mayor, Dom. You can act on my behalf."

"Alright, I accept," I agreed without hesitation. I relayed what had happened to Aspen. The weight of responsibility settled onto my shoulders, but I welcomed it. Protecting this town and its inhabitants was now my duty, and I would not falter.

"Congratulations, Deputy Mayor," Aspen teased, a playful glint in her blue eyes. "Now, let's get these documents signed and save our town."

"Of course," I replied, extending one of my branches to sign the necessary papers. With each stroke of the weird inkless pen she handed me on the screen of her laptop, I felt more connected to the town and my newfound role. Beastly Falls was in our hands, and I would do everything in our power to ensure its safety.

As Aspen sent off the email, her face lit up with triumph. "We did it, Dom. We've taken the first step in protecting Beastly Falls."

"Thank you, Aspen," I said sincerely, wrapping her in my branches and pulling her close. "I couldn't have done this without you."

"Same goes for you," she murmured against my bark-covered chest. "We're in this together, Deputy Mayor."

"Damn right we are," I agreed.

Aspen turned back to me, her eyes serious. "There's more to do, Dom." Her voice held the weight of responsibility, one she willingly shared with me. "Here's a list of things you'll need to do as deputy mayor to help validate things with the county and state."

"Anything for our town," I replied, accepting the list with a nod. My mind raced as I reviewed the tasks, feeling both overwhelmed and determined. Aspen sensed my unease, reaching out to place a comforting hand on my arm.

"Dom, we've done enough for tonight," she reassured me, her touch igniting a fire deep within me, taming the swirling chaos in my mind.

I relayed everything to the mayor, and Sylvia's happy voice responded with so much excitement I could barely follow her words.

"Are you ready to call it a night?" Aspen asked softly, her eyes heavy with exhaustion and a hint of something more carnal. I nodded, the prospect of rest, and the promise of intimacy, pulling us toward the bedroom.

"Let's call it a night," I agreed, the words barely leaving my lips before Aspen was in my arms, her body pressed against mine.

"Before you get too comfortable," Sylvia chimed in through the phone I'd forgotten I was still holding to my ear, her bubbly voice contrasting with the weight of her words. "I wanted to invite you both to town tomorrow to celebrate the partial reversal of the curse."

"Of course, we'll be there," I assured her, feeling Aspen's curiosity pique at the mention of celebration. She must be close enough to overhear the mayor's voice through the phone.

"Thank you, Mayor Sylvia," Aspen called out, her eyes alight with anticipation. "I'm looking forward to meeting you in person."

"Likewise, dear," Sylvia replied, her laughter ringing like bells. "Goodnight and sleep well."

As the connection ended, I wrapped my arms around Aspen, drawing her close and pressing soft kisses across her face. Her breath caught at the tender affection, and I reveled in the simple pleasure of holding her.

Suddenly, something shifted inside me. My body tensed, freezing mid-kiss as an unfamiliar sensation washed over me.

"Dom? What's wrong?" Aspen asked, her brows furrowing with concern.

"I... I can feel my family," I whispered, my voice shaking with disbelief. "There's no block this time. I can reach out to them again."

"Can they hear you?" she queried, her own excitement rising alongside mine.

"Only one way to find out." Closing my eyes, I sent a tentative message through the nature network that connected all dryads. The response came almost instantly... a chorus of relief and joy from my family, their voices melding together in harmony.

"I've missed you so much," I said aloud, forgetting that I didn't need to since it had been so long since I'd been about to use the connection. "I hope to see you all soon... and I want you to meet my mate."

"Your mate?" Aspen repeated, her eyes widening with wonder. "Does that mean you accept me as your mate?"

"Of course I do," I admitted, the words heavy with both love and resignation. "How could I not? It was irrational for me to ever think I could turn you away."

Aspen looked up at me with hopeful eyes. "Are you sure?"

"Without question," I replied, my tone firm and resolute. How could I ever have doubted the bond between us, the overwhelming love that drew me to her?

"Good," she breathed, her smile radiant as she pressed her body against mine. "Because I can't imagine my life without you, Dom."

"Neither can I," I admitted, brushing a lingering kiss across her lips.

As I carried my mate to our bed, I knew that together, we would face whatever challenges awaited us in the days to come. And no matter how daunting the obstacles or how fierce the storms, our love would endure, unyielding and eternal.