The Luna's Second Chance

Chapter 26: A Sweet Gesture

**Isla's POV**

The buzz of students filled the university hallways, their chatter a mix of anxiety and anticipation as the first day of exams loomed. Isla stood near one of the large windows, staring down at the pile of notes in her hands, her stomach twisting into knots. It wasn't just the stress of exams; her mind was clouded with everything that had happened over the past few weeks. Damian's words still echoed in her mind, and the weight of Lyra's upcoming funeral anniversary hung over her like a dark cloud.

She couldn't focus. Even as she flipped through her notes, her thoughts kept drifting back to Damian-the pain, the confusion, the pull between them that she couldn't deny. But right now, she had to focus on her exams. One thing at a time, she reminded herself.

"Ready for the first exam?" Harper's voice interrupted her thoughts, bringing a much-needed distraction.

Isla offered her a weak smile. "As ready as I'll ever be."

Harper grinned, pulling out her phone to check the time. "Good, because after we ace these exams, we're going to celebrate. Ice cream on me."

Isla nodded, though her mind wasn't fully in it. She still had that sinking feeling in her gut, the unresolved tension with Damian gnawing at her.

Suddenly, a familiar sleek car pulled up near the entrance of the university, and Isla's heart stopped. Damian.

He got out of the car, his tall frame and intense presence impossible to miss. A mix of emotions surged through her-anger, longing, confusion-but she steeled herself. She couldn't deal with this right now, not before her exam.

"Isla," Damian called out, his voice smooth, but there was an urgency behind it. "Let me take you to your exam."

Isla shot him a withering look. "I don't need you to take me anywhere, Damian. I can manage on my own."

He sighed, taking a few steps closer, his golden eyes softening in a way that made it harder for Isla to hold her ground. "I know you can. But please, let me do this. I owe you."

Isla crossed her arms, shaking her head. "No. You don't get to swoop in and act like everything's fine."

At that moment, Harper stepped forward, her eyes flicking between Isla and Damian. "Maybe... you should let him take you?" she said cautiously.

Isla gave Harper a look of disbelief. "What?"

Damian, sensing an opening, turned to Harper and Isla's other friends, Alec and Noah, who had just joined them. "Can you help me out here? I'm just trying to make things right."

Alec smirked, always the troublemaker. "I mean... he did show up, Isla."

Noah nodded in agreement, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "And it's not every day that you get driven to an exam by the Alpha of Blackwood Ridge."

Isla threw her hands up. "What is this? A conspiracy?"

Harper, clearly in on the plan, suddenly pulled out her phone, faking a surprised expression as she pressed it to her ear. "Oh, Marcus? Really? His sister? Right now?" She glanced at Isla, an apologetic smile on her face. "I have to go. Marcus needs me to pick up his sister from kindergarten. Sorry, Isla."

Isla narrowed her eyes at her friend, knowing full well that this was a setup. "You've got to be kidding me."

Harper shrugged, slipping her phone into her pocket. "Guess you'll have to ride with Damian. See you after the exam!"

Before Isla could protest further, Harper was gone, and her friends quickly followed suit, leaving her standing alone with Damian. She sighed, feeling cornered.

Damian stepped closer, his expression earnest. "Please, Isla. Let me do this for you."

She stared at him for a long moment, battling the conflicting emotions inside her. Finally, with a reluctant sigh, she gave in. "Fine. But this doesn't change anything."

A small smile tugged at Damian's lips, and without another word, he opened the car door for her. She slid in, crossing her arms as she stared straight ahead, refusing to look at him.

---

Instead of heading straight for the university exam building, Damian took a detour. Isla frowned, glancing over at him.

"Where are we going?" she asked, her voice suspicious.

Damian's smile widened slightly as he continued driving. "You'll see."

Isla didn't have the energy to argue. She watched as the familiar streets passed by, until finally, they pulled up to a small ice cream shop tucked away in a quiet corner of the city. Her favorite spot-the one her aunt, Selene, had taken her to when she was a child. Isla's chest tightened as she realized what he had done.

"Selene told me this was your favorite place," Damian said softly as he parked the car. "I thought maybe we could start over... with something simple."

Isla glanced at him, her defenses momentarily lowering. It was a sweet gesture, but she wasn't ready to let her guard down yet.

They ordered their ice creams and sat at one of the small outdoor tables. Isla kept her focus on her ice cream, determined not to let Damian's presence get to her. She could feel his eyes on her, but she refused to meet his gaze.

Instead, a small folded piece of paper slid across the table. Isla frowned, picking it up. Inside, in Damian's neat handwriting, were the words: *I missed you.*

Her heart clenched, but she pushed it aside, folding the paper back up without looking at him. She continued eating her ice cream, but a moment later, another note slid across the table.

*You're stronger than you know, Isla.*

Isla clenched her jaw, fighting the emotions that were starting to rise. She folded the note without reading it again, but Damian wasn't done. Another note followed soon after.

*I'm sorry.*

Isla's hand froze over her ice cream. She didn't want to forgive him, didn't want to let him back in so easily. But the sincerity in those simple words cut through her defenses.

Finally, she looked up, her eyes meeting his for the first time that day. "This isn't enough, Damian," she said quietly. "You hurt me."

Damian nodded, his eyes full of regret. "I know. And I'm going to spend as long as it takes making it right."

They finished their ice creams in silence, the tension between them still lingering but softer now, as if some of the weight had lifted. When Damian drove her back to the university, he pulled up near the entrance.

Before Isla could open the door, Damian leaned over and pressed a gentle kiss to her cheek. It was soft, barely there, but enough to send a shiver down her spine.

She turned to him, her heart racing, but her words were firm. "You have a lot of work to do if you want me to trust you again."

Damian nodded, his expression serious. "I know. And I will."

With that, Isla stepped out of the car, her emotions swirling. Damian had made a start, but there was still so much between them-so much hurt that hadn't yet healed.

As she made her way into the university building, a strange feeling crept up her spine. She paused, glancing toward the edge of the nearby forest. For a brief moment, she thought she saw movement-a figure, or maybe two, standing at the far end of the trees, watching her.

Isla's heart skipped a beat, and she squinted, trying to get a better look. But by the time she focused, the figures were gone, vanished into the shadows of the trees.

She shook her head, brushing off the feeling of unease as she entered the building. But even as she sat down to take her exam, the nagging sense that someone had been watching her lingered in the back of her mind.

---