Page 10 of Her Dryad Dom

"What?" I blinked, certain I'd misheard him. "Fated mates?"

"In the paranormal world, specifically shifters, but also some other creatures, including monsters, have a predestined soul mate," he grumbled, crossing his arms over his broad chest. "You have seven days to decide if you want to be my mate forever and stay in this town, or leave for good and never see me again."

My mind raced, caught amidst a whirlwind of confusion and disbelief. Was he serious? How had monsters been revealed to the world for so long but I'd never heard of this? I'd even represented a case where a troll had staked his claim on a bridge that belonged to the city and was requiring anyone crossing it topay him unsanctioned tolls. But fated mates? Never even heard a whisper of that.

"Dom," I began, my voice shaky. "I don't—"

"Here," he interrupted, releasing his hold on me and setting a cup of tea and a plate of snacks on the table beside me. "Just think about it, alright? You don't have to decide now."

"Thanks," I muttered, taking a sip of the steaming tea. As much as I appreciated the gesture, I couldn't think clearly. I needed to pace to work out my thoughts. And when I started to rise from the chair, Dom's gaze snapped to me, narrowed in warning.

"Sit down, Aspen," he growled. "Or I'll make sure you can't get up at all."

"What? Oh," I relented, sinking back into the chair. It seemed Dom was dead serious about his overprotectiveness.

As I nibbled on a snack, my thoughts swirled around the ultimatum he'd presented me. Seven days to decide my fate... and his. Was this really what I wanted? To be tied to a grumpy, overbearing tree spirit for the rest of my life?

But even as I questioned the idea, a small part of me couldn't help but wonder... was Dom's gruff exterior merely a shield, protecting something deeper and more vulnerable than I'd ever imagined?

"Wait... it's six days now. I got here yesterday."

Dom nodded.

Six days.

Six days to decide the course of the rest of my life.

Six days to give up everything I'd ever known and take a chance on a fated mate... or give up the chance and go back to a life I'd grown to hate.

When my legs flexed to get up and get water, Dom growled at me. Like a fucking animal. It was kinda hot actually. "I could really use some ice water."

"Fine," Dom grumbled, his branches shifting as he walked over to the kitchen. The sound of ice clinking against glass filled the air, and he returned with a cold drink for me. I gratefully took a sip, feeling the chill help my spinning thoughts.

As Dom busied himself with other tasks, my thoughts raced, fueled by the high stakes ultimatum that hung in the air. A part of me longed to explore the enigma that was Dominik, but another part feared relinquishing control to him. It was clear he would be the dominant personality of the two of us, which would probably result in some intense fights... and hopefully make up sex. Wait... how did one have sex with a dryad?

This was too much. I needed somewhere to pace and think. Determined to carve out a moment alone, I seized the opportunity and stealthily slipped away.

But before I could make it far, I felt Dom's arms—no, branches—wrap around me, trapping me in his grasp. "Thought you could sneak off, did you?" he asked, a hint of amusement in his voice.

"Can't blame a girl for trying," I replied, feigning nonchalance while my heart pounded in my chest. When he held me like this, I could feel every inch of him. Which I expected to be harder and scratchy since his skin looked like bark, but it wasn't.

"Do I have to punish you for you to listen to me?" Dom's voice held an edge, his tone darker than before.

"Punishment?" I half asked and half chuckled. What was he going to do, bend me over his knee and spank me? Dammit Aspen, why did I put that thought into my mind?

"The best kind. Though, it might hurt a bit." He paused, considering my question. "I won't stop until your mind and body are sated and too weak to disobey me."

"Alright," I breathed, feeling a strange mix of trepidation and excitement. The idea of turning my mind off for once and letting someone take control had always been appealing.

"Good," Dom said, his voice low and dangerous. "Because I can already tell you're going to need lots of punishment."

His words sent a shiver down my spine, igniting conflicting emotions within me. As Dom led me deeper into the unknown, I steeled myself for whatever lay ahead, unsure of what the future held, but certain that I had never felt so alive.

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