The Luna's Second Chance

Chapter 10: Hidden Desires

**Isla’s POV **

The morning light filtered through the windows, casting a soft glow over the bedroom. I stood in front of the mirror, smoothing down the short, fitted dress I had chosen for class. It was a deep shade of navy, complementing my skin, and it hugged my curves in a way that was both comfortable and—if I was being honest—flattering. I felt a little more confident in it, despite everything swirling in my head about the bond with Damian and my sudden immersion into pack life.

I turned, catching sight of the time. I was going to be late if I didn’t leave soon. Just as I grabbed my bag and made my way toward the door, I heard a light knock. Damian stood in the hallway, his eyes meeting mine as I opened the door.

“I’ll drive you to class,” he said, his voice low, his usual commanding tone softened.

I blinked in surprise, but nodded. “Uh, sure. Thanks.”

As I stepped past him, I felt his gaze linger on me, and when I glanced up, I caught the faintest flicker of something dark in his eyes. He quickly averted his gaze, but not before I saw the way his jaw tightened, his hands flexing slightly at his sides.

We walked down the stairs in silence, and as I reached the bottom, I noticed him still standing behind me, watching me with an intensity that made my skin prickle.

“Ready?” I asked, trying to shake off the heat rising in my chest.

Damian cleared his throat, nodding once. “Yeah.”

He led me to the garage, where rows of sleek, expensive cars lined the space. My eyes widened as I took in the sight—luxury vehicles, all gleaming under the soft lights, each more extravagant than the last.

Damian chose one of the sleekest, a jet-black sports car that looked like it belonged in a movie. He opened the passenger door for me, and I slipped inside, the leather seats cool against my skin. As he climbed into the driver’s seat, the air between us felt charged, almost too thick to breathe.

When he started the engine, the car roared to life, the power of it vibrating through the seats. I glanced at him, trying to make small talk to break the tension, but when I caught the way his gaze flicked down toward my legs, my breath hitched.

Damian’s eyes lingered a little too long on the hem of my dress, which rode up slightly as I shifted in my seat. His lips parted, and I could almost see the way his thoughts drifted as his gaze traveled from my legs upward, tracing the curve of my hips to the swell of my chest. He quickly looked away, his jaw tightening again, but I didn’t miss the way his tongue darted out to lick his lips.

My heart skipped a beat.

As we pulled out of the driveway, the silence between us was almost deafening. Damian gripped the steering wheel a little too tightly, his knuckles white. I tried to focus on the road ahead, but I couldn’t shake the feeling of his eyes on me, even when he wasn’t looking.

Halfway through the ride, I shifted in my seat, reaching for the air vent to adjust the airflow. Damian’s hand moved at the same time, brushing lightly against my thigh. The touch was brief, almost accidental, but the spark that shot through me was anything but.

We both froze.

For a split second, neither of us moved. My breath caught in my throat, and I could feel the heat rising in my chest, spreading outward. Damian’s hand lingered for just a moment too long before he pulled it away, his eyes fixed firmly on the road, but I could see the tension in his jaw, the way his shoulders tightened.

“Sorry,” he muttered, his voice rough.

I swallowed hard, my heart racing. “It’s fine.”

The rest of the drive passed in a blur, my mind spinning with thoughts I wasn’t ready to confront. By the time we pulled up in front of the university, I was grateful for the distraction of normalcy.