Page 16 of Her Dryad Dom

"You shouldn't be out of bed and exerting yourself," he chastised as he gently deposited me onto the bed.

"Dom, trust me," I implored, reaching out to touch his arm. "I need to do this, not just for us, but for everyone trapped here."

He frowned, considering my words before finally nodding reluctantly. I cuddled in closer, hoping I'd figure out the solution tomorrow.

Just as I was about to drift off to sleep, the landline phone suddenly rang, breaking the tension in the room. I glanced over at Dom, seeing him bristle at the unexpected sound.

"What now?" he grumbled, getting up to answer it. I sat up and watched him, my heart pounding with anticipation. This could be the answer we were waiting for, or it could be another obstacle in our path.

Chapter 8: Dom

Isnatched 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."

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