Second Chance for the Barren Luna (Talia and Jason) novel Chapter 117

Talia’s POV

Healer Leslie’s temporary home was at the edge of Silverfang territory. It was one of the cabins we used to house rogues while we decided whether to include them in the pack or let them recover and move on. Smoke rose from the chimney, so I knew Leslie was home. I walked up to her door and knocked.

It opened almost instantly. Leslie stood in the doorway wearing a loose shirt and mismatched socks. Her hair was pulled up into a ponytail. Her eyes widened when she saw me. “Talia? You found me already?”

Before I could answer, she grabbed my wrist and pulled me inside, saying, “Come in before someone sees you.”

The cabin smelled of herbs. Then I froze as a familiar scent hit me. Nolan was standing near the table, looking just as shocked to see me.

I hated the fact that I had the urge to go to him, to pull him down by his shirt and kiss him. I forced myself to stay where I stood. My shock and yearning for him turned to anger as Leslie walked past me and I noticed her attire again.

What was going on between them?

As if she could read my thoughts, Leslie quickly said, “I’m not sleeping with him, if that’s what you’re thinking.”

My attention locked on Nolan. “Then what are you doing here?”

“I could ask you the same thing,” Nolan replied.

“Do you think this is a game?” I asked.

Before I could say anything more, Leslie clapped her hands and said, “The Moon Goddess must be laughing at me right now.”

I turned to her. “What do you mean?”

“You two are mates,” Leslie answered.

Nolan shot her with a warning look. “Leslie.”

“You told her, but you couldn’t tell me?” I shot back at him.

“What? Don’t glare at me,” Leslie said, waving Nolan off. “Talia, you’ve got it all wrong. He didn’t tell me anything. I figured it out days ago. It doesn’t take a genius to put it together.”

My cheeks burned with embarrassment.

“Nothing to be embarrassed about,” Leslie said easily. “I tried not to say anything at the dinner but watching you both avoid each other was painful.”

She picked up her mug and took a sip of tea. “Honestly, I’m surprised it took you this long to come here,” she continued, leaning against the wall. “Usually, one mate runs to me begging for a solution while the other tries to pretend nothing is wrong. Today, I got both of you at once. It must be my lucky day or the Moon Goddess’s sick joke.”

I ignored her sarcasm. “Then you already know why I’m here. I want the herbs you talked about that night. The ones that suppress the mate bond.”

Leslie looked between us, then grinned. “Oh, this just got more interesting,” she hummed.

“Can you give them to me or not?” I asked firmly.

“You don’t need them,” Nolan cut in.

“You have no right to tell me what I need,” I snapped.

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