Second Chance for the Barren Luna (Talia and Jason) novel Chapter 105

Nolan’s POV

The next day, Jason and I reached the Windpaw pack. Compared to Silverfang, it was small, but the territory was well cared for. It was a quiet, countryside pack territory. This was the kind of place where someone went to disappear and enjoy the simple things of life.

Alpha Lane met us at the gate. He looked like a man who had spent most of his life outdoors. His skin was tanned, and his hands were rough with old callouses. Gray streaked through his beard and at his temples, but there was still strength in the set of his shoulders.

“Greetings Alpha Jason.” He greeted Jason without hesitation, but when his gaze shifted to me, there was caution. “And you as well, Alpha Nolan.”

I simply nodded to him, allowing Jason to rely on his connections to get us to the healer.

“Greetings, Alpha Lane. We appreciate you seeing us on such short notice,” Jason responded.

“You contacted me about Healer Leslie yesterday. I assume you came for her,” Alpha Lane added. “But I hope there won't be any violence in my territory.” The warning was for me, but I ignored it.

Jason gave a short nod. “Yes, we came for Leslie. Someone in Silverfang has been poisoned with wolfsbane. Without Leslie, she will not survive. Please help us.”

Lane’s mouth tightened. “I will take you to her cabin.”

He turned and led us into the pack. As we walked, he continued. “I should warn you first. Healer Leslie is not like other healers. She is direct, harsh, and does not care about titles. She does not respond well to orders, but she is skilled. When others fail, she often finds a solution.”

The path took us past the training field and a cluster of houses. Children ran near the edge of the field while guards sparred under the morning sun. The land was quiet compared to Silverfang’s busy grounds. Lane stopped in front of a small wooden cabin at the edge of the trees.

Lane knocked once. When there was no response, he called out, “Leslie, you have visitors.”

After a moment, a woman’s voice responded, “Come on in.”

Lane pushed the door open, and we entered. The cabin was filled with shelves of jars and bundles of dried plants hanging from the rafters. A young woman with long, wild red hair sat at a table covered in books.

“Healer Leslie, you have visitors,” Lane repeated.

“I heard you the first time,” Leslie stated as she placed her pen in the book to keep her place. She looked up at us, annoyed by our presence. “Alpha Lane, who are they?”

“These gentlemen came from Silverfang. They are here to ask for your help,” Lane explained.

Leslie leaned back in her chair, unimpressed. “Silverfang needs help? That is rare.”

Jason stepped forward. “A friend of ours has been poisoned with wolfsbane. Her wolf is gone. The doctors say she has three days left unless you treat her.”

I felt a flicker of relief, but her excitement about something so serious angered me. It was as if Leslie felt my spike in anger and smirked, “Don’t take it so seriously. You came to me for help. You need to relax.”

“Explain to us what you have found,” I responded flatly. “Please.”

Leslie tapped the page. “According to this text, there is only one way to counteract wolfsbane without help from her wolf. Moonbane Herb. It is more toxic than wolfsbane. The patient cannot take it directly. A powerful Alpha must ingest the herb. His wolf will purify the poison inside his body and then his blood becomes the antidote. Then his blood can be transfused into the patient to heal her.”

Jason stared at her. “So, someone has to poison himself first?”

“Yes,” Leslie said. “If the Alpha’s wolf is strong enough, it will neutralize the herb and create the cure. If the wolf is not strong enough, he dies, and the patient dies too.”

I frowned. “Is this the only method?”

Leslie nodded. “The only one written in the old texts. I have never done it, but the symptoms match perfectly. Without it, there is nothing else.”

Jason’s face was pale. “Then… Who is supposed to take it?”

Leslie closed the book and crossed her arms. “Well, that is for you to decide. If neither of you is willing, then leave. I won’t waste time with men who come begging for answers but flinch at the cost.”