The Luna's Second Chance

Chapter 7: A Fractured Balance

**Damian’s POV **

The drive back to my house was silent, save for the low hum of the engine. Isla lay still in the passenger seat, her face pale, her breathing shallow but steady. I glanced at her every few moments, unable to shake the unease crawling under my skin. Her powers had surfaced—raw and untamed—and the surge of energy had left her drained, unconscious in my arms.

I wasn’t sure what to make of it.

As the headlights of my car cut through the darkness, my house came into view. The two-story building stood tall and imposing against the night sky, its sleek modern design a stark contrast to the forested surroundings. A massive garage lined one side, filled with cars I rarely drove anymore—luxury vehicles that had once been my escape. But now, nothing offered me the same distraction.

A few fields beyond my house lay the pack house, where the wolves in my pack lived, scattered across several smaller homes. Their loyalty kept them close, always within reach, ready to defend the territory if needed. But tonight, I needed solitude.

I pulled into the driveway, the garage doors sliding open to reveal the rows of expensive cars gleaming under the overhead lights. I ignored them, shutting off the engine and stepping out of the car. My focus was on Isla as I moved to her side, carefully lifting her out of the seat and into my arms again.

Her head lolled against my chest, her body limp, and for a moment, I hesitated. A part of me—a small, irrational part—wanted to take her to my room. The place where I slept. But I couldn’t. Not that room.

That room was Lyra’s.

I shook off the thought and carried Isla up the stairs, pushing the door to the guest bedroom open with my shoulder. The room was simple but comfortable, the bed made with fresh linens, the walls adorned with soft lighting that cast a warm glow. I laid her down gently, brushing a strand of hair away from her face.

She didn’t stir. Her breathing was soft, steady. For now, she was resting.

But I had no idea what kind of toll her powers had taken on her, and that gnawed at me.

I stepped back, watching her for a moment longer before I turned and left the room, closing the door behind me. I needed to clear my head, to think. But first, I reached out across the mind-link, my thoughts sharp and clear as I called to Selene, Isla’s aunt.

“Selene. Isla’s with me. Something’s happened to her.”

There was a brief pause, followed by the familiar rush of her presence across the link.

“What happened?”Selene’s voice was tight with concern.

“She... her powers surfaced. She collapsed afterward. I don’t know how bad it is, but I thought you should know.”

“I’m on my way,” Selene replied, her voice steady but laced with worry.

I cut the link and exhaled, the weight of everything pressing down on me. It wasn’t just the rogues, or Isla’s sudden power surge. It was the undeniable fact that I had no control over what was happening anymore. My pack was vulnerable. Isla was vulnerable. And I hated it.

I moved through the house, heading downstairs and stepping out onto the back patio. From here, I could see the fields stretching out toward the pack house, the moon casting a pale light over the land. The weight of leadership settled heavily on my shoulders.

A few minutes later, I heard the sound of tires on gravel, and Selene’s car pulled up beside mine. She stepped out, her face pale under the moonlight as she rushed toward the front door. I opened it before she could knock, and she met my gaze with a mix of fear and determination.