Second Chance for the Barren Luna (Talia and Jason) novel Chapter 106

Rudolf’s POV

By the third day, Talia’s fever worsened with every passing hour. The doctors had failed to break it. Solon, Della, and I stayed by her side around the clock, placing her in ice baths to cool her down. Every report on her condition told the same grim story: she was dying.

Solon stormed into her room as I was changing out the rag for her forehead to a cooler one. “Father, this is madness. You should never have sent Jason and Nolan. They are unreliable. Jason only thinks of himself, and Nolan, he, I don’t know what he’s doing, but I know this will not end well for none of us.”

“Do you think I had a choice? Our doctors admitted they could not save her. We needed Healer Leslie, and neither of us could leave Silverfang to search for her,” I replied. Word had spread about our defenses lacking. Both of us needed to be here to defend Silverfang in case someone tried to take advantage.

“Still, trusting them was reckless.” Solon muttered.

Before I could answer, Beta Logan burst into the room. He caught the door before it slammed into the wall. He bowed his head quickly before saying, “My King. Alpha Jason and Alpha Nolan have returned. They brought the healer with them. They are already on their way to the hospital.”

For the first time in days, I felt a flicker of hope.

When they arrived, I studied Leslie with care. Healer Leslie looked nothing like the solemn healers I had known. She was a young woman, not that much older than Talia. She had long red hair and sharp green eyes that were always observing and assessing her surroundings. There was a mischievous air about her as if she found the situation more intriguing than tragic.

Jason spoke first. “Healer Leslie, this is the Alpha King.”

Her gaze shifted to me. “I know who he is.” She gave no bow, no sign of deference. Instead, she folded her arms. “So… you want me to save your daughter.”

“Yes,” I said firmly. “Talia’s life depends on you.”

“I can try, but you should understand now: I will not take responsibility if I fail. If she dies, that is not on me,” Leslie responded casually.

Solon bristled. “You speak as though you are not the legendary healer we were told about. Why should we trust you with her life?”

Leslie smirked and shot back, “And who are you to doubt me? If I walk out of this hospital, you will have no chance at all.”

Solon stepped forward, but I raised my hand to stop him from doing anything we all would regret. “Enough,” I said firmly. “This is not the time for pride. Healer Leslie, tell me what you need.”

She glanced past me, her eyes settling on Nolan. “Only him. I need Alpha Nolan’s blood.”

Nolan gave a short nod.

I frowned. “Why his blood? I’m her father, You can use mine.”

Solon stepped beside me quickly. “Take mine instead. I will not allow Nolan near her again.”

I cut in. “How long does that purification take?”

Jason hesitated. “It depends on the Alpha. Sometimes for minutes. Sometimes longer. But there’s a risk. If the dose is too much, or if the Alpha’s wolf isn’t strong enough to cleanse it, then he dies and loses all chances to save the patient.”

Solon’s brows furrowed. “So, Nolan will be putting his own life on the line.”

Jason nodded silently.

Solon looked away, muttering under his breath, “Why would he even agree to that?” He walked a few steps down the hall, trying to process the risk Nolan was taking.

I was asking myself the same question. It would make sense for Jason to take this risk, but Nolan? I never would have believed Nolan would agree to this.

Nolan and I had clashed since the day he arrived. He challenged me without hesitation, carried a bitterness that made it clear he despised me, and by extension, Solon as well. I stopped believing there was a potential for peace between us.

Yet here he was, willing to swallow poison and risk his life for my daughter.

I no longer doubted him. Whatever stood between us, I knew one thing was for certain. Nolan would not harm Talia.