Chapter 32 - Damon
THIRTY-TWO
DAMON
Guilt twisted in Damon’s chest. He could see how his withdrawal would breed that kind of frustration, how a loyal enforcer might eventually crack under the pressure.
“I’ve already talked to him,” Kaelith continued. “He’s getting me a list of all the dragons he’s been working with. Why don’t you and Isla just work on the bookstore today? Keep recovering. There’s nothing pressing.”
“Nothing pressing?” Damon’s voice carried a dangerous edge. “They tried to kill me and Isla the other day.”
“It’s all under control now,” Kaelith assured him with that confidence Damon had always trusted. “No immediate danger.”
Something felt off, though Damon couldn’t pinpoint exactly what. Maybe it was the aftereffects of the attack, or his century of isolation making him paranoid about reintegrating into active leadership. Kaelith had been handling clan business competently for decades.
“Fine,” Damon said finally. “Go do what you need to do. Isla and I will lay low today.”
“Perfect. I’ll touch base with you tomorrow.” Kaelith headed for the door, then paused. “And Damon? Congratulations on completing the bond. She’s good for you.”
After Kaelith left, Damon found himself staring at the closed door, that nagging feeling intensifying.
Something in his second-in-command’s demeanor had felt.
.. strange. But Kaelith had been his most trusted friend for decades.
Surely he was just overthinking things with all the chaos surrounding him this week.
“Ready to check on the bookstore?” Isla’s hand slipped into his, warm and reassuring.
Damon squeezed her fingers, pushing his unease aside. “More than ready.”
The walk to the bookstore should have been peaceful.
Morning sunlight filtered through the palm fronds overhead, casting dancing shadows across the stone pathway, and the distant sound of waves provided a soothing backdrop.
Yet with each step, Damon felt the subtle shift in Isla’s mood through their completed bond—a restless undercurrent that hadn’t been there when they’d left the estate.
Her fingers remained intertwined with his, but her grip had grown tighter, almost anxious. The warmth of her emotions, which had been radiating contentment and joy just hours ago, now carried an edge of unease that made his dragon stir with protective instincts.
When they reached the renovated building that would house the new bookstore, Isla stopped abruptly. Her hazel eyes swept the exterior with an expression that didn’t match the excitement he’d expected. Instead, she looked almost wary.
“What’s wrong?” The question emerged rougher than intended, his Alpha instincts immediately alert.
Through their bond, he could feel her emotional turbulence—confusion mixed with something that felt almost like suspicion.
Isla’s gaze flicked to his, then away again.
“Nothing’s wrong, exactly. It’s just...” She paused.
“Something feels off about this whole clan situation. Maybe it’s because I’m still learning about your world and your people, but after the attack and your injuries, I can’t shake this feeling that we’re missing something important. ”
The vulnerability in her voice made his chest tighten. She was trying so hard to fit into his world, to understand the complexities of dragon politics and clan dynamics. Of course she’d feel unsettled after everything that had happened.
“It’s probably just stress,” he said, bringing their joined hands up to brush a kiss across her knuckles. “The excitement of completing the bond, the attack, everything that’s happened in such a short time—it would put anyone on edge. Kaelith has things under control with the investigation.”
Even as he spoke the words, that nagging feeling from earlier resurged. Something about Kaelith’s eagerness to handle everything alone, his dismissal of Evelina’s help... No. Kaelith had been his best friend for decades. If anyone could be relied upon, it was him.
“You’re probably right.” Isla’s smile didn’t quite reach her eyes, but she squeezed his hand. “Why don’t we go inside? I can show you what I’m envisioning for the space.”
The moment they stepped through the doorway, everything else faded into background noise.
The interior was magnificent—a large, open space with soaring ceilings and massive windows that flooded the room with natural light.
The renovation crew had done exceptional work, creating clean lines and warm wood accents that would complement any design Isla chose.
But it wasn’t the space itself that captivated him.
It was watching Isla’s face transform as she took it all in.
Her earlier unease melted away, replaced by something that made his dragon purr with satisfaction. Her hazel eyes lit up with genuine excitement as she began moving through the space, her free hand gesturing animatedly as she spoke.
“We could put the main desk here, near the entrance,” she said, her voice gaining energy with each word. “And these windows are perfect for a reading nook—maybe some comfortable chairs and small tables where people can sit with their coffee and books.”
She dropped his hand to spin in a slow circle, her blue dress flowing around her legs as she took in every corner of the room.
“The children’s section could go over there, with lower shelving and bright colors. And this back area...” She trailed off, clearly seeing something in her mind that he couldn’t yet picture.
Damon found himself completely mesmerized. This was his mate in her element, her passion and expertise shining through every gesture and word. Through their bond, he could feel her joy radiating outward—pure, uncomplicated happiness that chased away the shadows of doubt and fear he’d been carrying.
For once, he felt genuinely excited about the future. Not just hopeful or determined, but actually eager for what was to come. The thought of watching Isla bring this space to life, of seeing her become an integral part of his clan’s daily existence, filled him with pure warmth.
“What?” Isla had stopped her exploration to stare at him, her expression soft with wonder.
“Nothing.” He moved toward her, unable to resist the magnetic pull of her presence. “I’m just happy to see you happy.”
Isla’s smile was radiant as she closed the distance between them, wrapping her arms around his neck. “I am happy.”
Their kiss that followed was different from their passionate claiming the night before. This was softer, deeper somehow. When they broke apart, he could feel her happiness through the bond like a warm embrace.
“Would you like to move in with me?” The question emerged before he’d fully formed the thought. “To the beach house. We could situate everything after we finish up here.”
“I would love that.” Her response was immediate, no hesitation or doubt clouding her features.
As he kissed her again, tasting the future on her lips, Damon felt something click into place that had been missing for far too long.
He had his mate. He was hopeful. And soon he would exile the traitors working against him, stabilize his clan, and build the kind of future he’d never dared to imagine.
After a century of darkness, there was finally light.