Chapter 21 Isla
TWENTY-ONE
ISLA
Dawn crept through the large windows of the guest suite, painting golden streaks across the rumpled sheets.
Isla stirred in the bed and discovered her body was deliciously sore in places that instantly reminded her of what she’d done with Damon last night.
Damon’s arm lay heavy across her waist, his chest pressing against her back and his breathing still deep and even.
They were both completely naked, skin against skin, and the intimate reality of it sent a flutter through her chest.
The memories rushed back unbidden. Dinner.
His vulnerability when he’d told her about the raid, about his parents, about carrying a century of guilt.
The way he’d gazed at her like she was salvation.
Then her impulsive decision to climb into his lap and kiss him, to surrender to the magnetic pull between them.
The sex had been... extraordinary. Earth-shattering even. Like stepping into one of her beloved romance novels where passion swept away all logic and consequence. But lying here in the aftermath, reality was a cold splash of water.
He was a two-hundred-year-old dragon shifter. An Alpha who commanded a clan of dangerous, powerful beings. A man so traumatized by loss that he’d isolated himself for a century, and despite yesterday’s breakthrough, could he really overcome that? Could anyone?
And she was... what? A bookstore owner from Cape Cod who worried about inventory and whether customers would like her latest display. Her major concerns back home were the weather affecting foot traffic and meeting a decent enough man, not rival clans and dragon politics that could get her killed.
This shifter world is so far beyond anything I know.
Yesterday’s attack replayed in her mind—the terror of watching Evelina battle two dragons, the sight of Damon’s massive black form swooping from the sky like an avenging angel.
The blood, the violence, the very real threat of death.
Was that her life now? Constant danger, high stakes, intensity that never let up?
But then something deeper tugged at her.
Damon was everything she’d never dared hope for in a man.
The way he looked at her like she was something precious.
The reverent way he’d touched her like she was something to be worshipped.
Sleeping in his arms had felt like coming home to a place she’d been searching for her whole life.
God, he makes everything else just... disappear.
She moved just enough, and Damon’s arm tightened around her instinctively. The protective gesture made her heart skip. Whatever else was complicated about this situation, the connection between them was undeniable.
But was believing in destiny enough? Was the universe’s supposed plan worth the complexity and danger that came with it?
One day at a time, she reminded herself. That’s what I told him.
Damon stirred behind her, his body coming awake in increments. She felt the exact moment awareness returned—his breathing changed, his muscles tensed slightly, and then his lips were pressing a soft kiss to her shoulder.
“Good morning beautiful,” he murmured, his voice rough with sleep.
She turned in his arms to face him, and her resolve to think rationally nearly crumbled. His dark hair was tousled, and his green eyes were soft and unguarded in a way she’d never seen before. The sight of him like this—relaxed, content, almost vulnerable—was devastating.
“Hi,” she whispered back, unable to keep from smiling.
His answering smile was radiant, transforming his entire face. For a fleeting moment, he looked younger, unburdened by the weight of leadership and loss. It was a glimpse of who he might have been in another life, and it made her chest ache with possibility.
“How did you sleep?” His thumb traced her cheekbone, the touch gentle and reverent.
“Better than I have in months.” The admission slipped out.
Something heated and possessive flashed in his eyes. “Good. I was hoping—”
A sharp knock at the door cut him off. Damon’s expression instantly shifted, the Alpha mask sliding back into place with efficiency.
“Alpha?” Kaelith’s voice carried through the heavy wood. “Sorry to disturb you, but we need to discuss security. Immediately.”
The spell was broken. Isla watched Damon’s jaw tighten as reality crashed back in. He pressed a quick kiss to her forehead before sitting up, already reaching for his clothes.
“I’ll be right there,” he called back, then looked down at her with what might have been regret. “I’m sorry. I hoped we could have breakfast together, maybe visit the bookstore, see how the renovations are progressing.”
She sat up too, clutching the sheet to her chest. “It’s fine. I understand.”
But he was already moving, pulling on his khaki pants and black shirt from the night before. The transformation from lover to leader was swift and complete, leaving her feeling oddly bereft.
“I guess I need to handle Alpha duties today,” he said, buckling his belt. “Security logistics, patrol rotations, the whole works. After yesterday’s incident, everything needs to be reviewed and reinforced.”
“Of course.” She tried to keep her voice neutral, understanding but not quite hiding her disappointment.
He paused, studying her face. “It’s very important that you don’t leave the estate today, Isla. I need you to stay here where it’s secure.”
The words hit her like a slap. “Excuse me?”
“It’s not safe for you to move around the island alone right now.” His tone had gone firm. “We have to assume Veyrik knows about you.”
Heat flared in her chest—part anger, part humiliation. “I’m not a child, Damon. I’m a grown woman who’s been taking care of herself for thirty-two years.”
“This isn’t about your capability.” His voice carried that edge of command that probably made his clan snap to attention. “It’s about reality. You’re human in a world of predators.”
“So what, I’m just supposed to sit here like a caged bird while you run off to do important Alpha things?”
Something flickered across his face—frustration, maybe guilt. “It’s temporary. Just until we assess the threat level and put proper protections in place.”
“What about the bookstore? Will you have time to help me with that at some point?”
“I don’t know. There are more pressing matters.” He was already moving toward the door, his attention clearly shifting to Alpha mode.
Isla pulled the sheet higher, feeling exposed in more ways than one. “Right. More pressing than the project I came here for.”
He stopped with his hand on the door handle, finally looking back at her fully. “Isla—”
“Go.” She waved him off. “Your clan needs their Alpha.”