Chapter 8 Damon
EIGHT
DAMON
For the first time in a century, he wanted something more than mere survival.
Ten miles of punishing sand and salt spray had finally quieted the relentless demands echoing through Damon’s skull.
His dragon, which had been clawing at his ribs like a caged beast since the moment he’d touched Isla’s hand, had settled into a grudging silence.
The rhythmic pounding of his feet against the shoreline and the burn in his lungs had provided exactly the kind of brutal clarity he needed.
Control, he reminded himself as he climbed the steps to his beach house, sweat cooling against his skin in the evening breeze.
The familiar mantra that had carried him through a century of isolation felt solid again, dependable. He’d almost convinced himself that the afternoon’s encounter had been nothing more than a momentary lapse in judgment—a brief stumble that he could recover from.
Then his phone rang.
Evelina’s name flashed across the screen, and Damon’s hard-won peace evaporated. His aunt never called unless something required his immediate attention, and given the timing, he already knew exactly what—or rather who—this conversation would concern.
“I assume you aren’t happy about my behavior?” His greeting held no pretense.
“Good evening to you too, nephew.” Evelina’s voice held that particular edge that meant she was prepared to go to war. “I trust you’ve finished running away from your problems?”
Damon’s jaw clenched so hard he heard his teeth grind. “I wasn’t running away from anything.”
“Really? Because from where I stood, it looked remarkably like a grown man fleeing from a perfectly lovely woman who’d done nothing more threatening than smile at him.”
The accusation hit its mark with surgical precision. Damon prowled toward his kitchen. “I don’t owe explanations to anyone.”
“Actually, you do.” Steel crept into Evelina’s tone.
“You owe an explanation to Isla, who spent the rest of the afternoon wondering what she’d done wrong.
You owe an explanation to me, since I vouched for your character when I arranged this meeting.
And most importantly, you owe an explanation to your clan, who are watching their Alpha act like a spooked child for far too long. ”
Each word landed like a dagger. Damon gripped the marble countertop, fighting the surge of shame that threatened to crack his carefully maintained composure. The last thing he wanted was for Isla to feel unwanted, but the alternative—letting her get close enough to be hurt—was unthinkable.
“You don’t understand what you’re asking of me.” The admission scraped his throat raw.
“What I’m asking for right now is for you to have dinner with a woman who traveled across the country today.
” His aunt’s voice softened just enough to reveal the concern beneath her frustration.
“But Damon, I’ve given you a century to deal with your guilt and trauma.
A century to hide behind duty and isolation while your clan grows more restless by the day. ”
“My isolation protects them—”
“Your isolation is destroying them.” The sharp interruption cut through his protest like a blade. “Half the dragons are questioning whether their Alpha even knows them. The other half are starting to wonder if maybe it’s time for new leadership entirely.”
The words hit him like a slap. Damon had suspected his distance was creating problems, but hearing it stated so bluntly sent ice through his veins. His dragon roared with sudden fury—not at Evelina, but at the impossible situation that had no clean solutions.
“And you think forcing me into proximity with my fated mate is going to solve that?” He couldn’t keep the bitter edge from his voice. “You think putting her in danger is worth the political convenience?”
“I think,” Evelina said with quiet authority, “that Isla could be exactly what you need to finally move past this fear that’s been eating you alive.”
Fear.
The word hung in the air like an accusation. Damon wanted to deny it, to claim that his caution was wisdom and his isolation was strength. But standing alone in his pristine sanctuary, surrounded by a century’s worth of careful control, he couldn’t quite force the lie past his lips.
“It’s too much, too fast.” The confession felt like admitting weakness. “I’m not ready for this.”
“You’re never going to be ready,” Evelina replied with devastating gentleness. “That’s the point. Love doesn’t wait for perfect timing or complete emotional healing. It shows up when you need it the most, and then you have to decide whether you’re brave enough to reach for it.”
The word ‘love’ sent heat spiking through his chest with uncomfortable intensity. Even thinking about the possibility of loving Isla—of caring about someone enough to risk losing them—made his hands shake with more than just adrenaline.
“I can’t go to the main territory again today.” His voice came out rougher than intended. “Being around the clan, having everyone watching us... my nerves are already shot from this afternoon.”
“Good.” His aunt’s satisfaction was audible. “Then you’ll be pleased to know I’ve already arranged for her to meet you at your beach house tonight for dinner.”
Damon’s blood turned to ice. “You did what?”
“Your turf, your rules, no audience.” Evelina’s tone suggested the decision was final.
“Just you and Isla, getting to know each other like civilized adults. And you’re going to apologize for this afternoon’s rudeness.
Plus, you’re going to assure her that you’ll help make her stay here as comfortable as possible. ”
“Evelina—” He started to protest, but she cut him off with ruthless efficiency.
“This isn’t a request, Damon. This is me telling you what’s going to happen. Isla will arrive at seven o’clock, and you will be a gracious host who shows her the respect she deserves.”
The line went dead before he could voice any of the dozen objections crowding his throat.
Damon stared at his phone for a long moment, his mind reeling with the implications of what his aunt had just arranged. Having Isla in his sanctuary while his dragon was already demanding he claim her felt like the worst possible idea.
She’s going to be here, he realized with growing panic. In my space. Where I can’t escape.
His dragon, however, was practically purring with satisfaction.