Second Chance for the Barren Luna (Talia and Jason) novel Chapter 125

Talia’s POV

I went to the dungeon not long after speaking with my father and Solon. When I reached the lower cells, two guards stood by the heavy door. They stepped aside when I approached, clearly father had told them in advance to let me in.

Inside, Nolan sat on a bench with his back against the wall. He had leaned back on the stone wall. His eyes were closed, but I knew he wasn't sleeping.

“I thought you’d be the last person to visit,” he said. He opened his eyes and met my gaze.

“Just because I think you’re a jerk doesn’t mean I want you imprisoned unjustly,” I stated.

“Well then, what do I owe the pleasure of your presence, Princess?” Nolan asked.

“I came because I wanted to talk to you and ask you what the hell you were doing," I replied. My voice is much louder than I intended.

Nolan studied me quietly, surprised by the sudden outburst. “Do you believe Jason and Michael?”

“I believe in evidence,” I replied.

Nolan stared at me before scoffing. He let out a humorless laugh. “Of course you believe them,” he muttered.

“I didn’t say I believed them. I said I believe in evidence,” I snapped. Nolan didn’t say anything else, but I could tell that he didn’t believe me. “I am being serious, Nolan.”

“Do you really think that evidence matters here? Evidence can’t punish me, and it can’t clear your father either. It’s just words on paper,” Nolan finally said.

“That’s not true,” I said firmly. “If you’re innocent, evidence will protect you. If you’re guilty, it will condemn you.”

“Then maybe you should ask yourself which outcome your father prefers,” Nolan said. “You know as well as I do that, he already made up his mind.”

His defiance tested my patience. “No, that's not true. If he did, I wouldn't be down here talking to you."

"Or he is just appeasing you," Nolan argued.

"Nolan, just focus. Tell me why you did it. What were you trying to do?"

"There is nothing more to say, Princess," Nolan stated.

His tone was detached, almost mocking even. It was this tone that erased every ounce of patience I had left. “You sound as if you don’t even care,” I snapped. “You could have killed him.”

“I didn’t,” he said. “You already made up your mind, so what’s the point?”

"The point is telling me why of all options, why did you do that?" I asked.

"Leave, Princess. I already said what I needed to say." He closed his eyes again.

I fumed. It was as if he was dismissing me. "Then, there's nothing left to discuss," I said and turned on my heel before he could respond.

Outside, Della and Marco were waiting near the stairwell. Marco had been pacing, and Della was chewing on her nails nervously.

I crossed my arms, my chest tightening. So that’s it—this was all because Nolan still believed my father had killed his. He had even tried to poison him, to force him to shift in public. The thought made my stomach twist. Humiliation, anger, and worry all tangled together.

“So he was trying to force my father to shift… What does the killer look like in his wolf form?” I asked, my voice sharp.

Marco hesitated. “A pure black wolf… with a white claw mark on its forehead.”

Della exhaled, pressing a hand to her chest. “Thank the Goddess,” she said, “The Alpha King looks nothing like that.”

Relief washed over me too, slow and heavy. I didn’t know how I would have endured it if it had been my father.

Marco looked between us, eyes searching. “You believe me?”

I nodded and said, “I believe you. My father’s wolf is silver and gray. You need to believe me too. So, really, Nolan was just testing to prove he wasn’t the murderer. If Nolan meant to kill him, he would have just done it.”

Marco’s shoulders relaxed, a quiet sigh escaping him. “Then… what do we do now?”

“You’re going to prepare another sample of the detoxified blood, the same kind Nolan used. I want it ready by morning," I told him.

“Why?” Della asked.

“Because I have a plan,” I said.