Second Chance for the Barren Luna (Talia and Jason) novel Chapter 144

OKALTER ON HUNDRED & TORTY FOUR

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CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED & FORTY FOUR

Nolan’s POV

I found Marco in his room with the closet doors open and half a dozen suit jackets on his bed. Music played from the speaker on his nightstand. He went into an air guitar solo for a few seconds before hanging up a suit jacket that he no longer liked.

“You’re in a good mood,” I said.

Marco glanced back with a grin. “Preparation makes me happy, Alpha. The mating ceremony is near, and tonight will have the bonfire party and all the stuff. Which one do you think suits me well? Should I represent BloodMoon or do something else?”

“I didn’t come to talk about clothes,” I said, shutting the door.

“Then, what did you come here for?” Marco asked.

“We need to discuss Talia.” I muttered.

He paused, still holding the jacket. “What is there to discuss? You plan to pursue her, right? You’re making this more complicated than it should be, but it is better than you ignoring the mate bond.”.

I ignored the bait. “I need to make sure she chooses me,” I continued.

Marco put the jacket on the bed and faced me fully. “Wouldn’t it be better if she was with someone else?”

“Marco!” I hissed at his bad joke.

He held up both hands. “Alright, alright. What exactly are you worried about? You have the advantages.”

“I am worried she will choose Colin,” I said. “He has Solon’s approval, Alpha King’s support, you know that. He is safer than me. That matters to her right now.”

“She is your mate. No one can take her from you,” Marco reassured me. “She won’t be able to resist the mate bond.”

“The bond does not help if she refuses to accept it or worse rejects me,” I said.

He studied me for a moment. “Now I get it. You want a plan where you know for a fact that Talia will choose you.”

“Yes.” I reluctantly admitted.

He nodded toward the shirts. “First, you need to get cleaned up and put on clothes that compliment you. Second, you need to start thinking about what she wants and not what you want.”

“What is that supposed to mean?”

“You need to be selfless, Alpha. If you have a hard time doing that, think about what you gain by acknowledging the mate bond,” Marco explained. “If you marry her, you gain access to Silverfang without barriers which means finding the truth gets faster.”

I held his gaze. “I know. So, what is your plan?”

“You’re going to attend the Bonfire tonight,” Marco said simply.

“That is not a plan,” I said. “That is a location.”

“You’re going to charm her tonight. Stay near her, but do not crowd her. Ask about the parts of the festival she actually enjoys. Offer to get her a drink. Keep your hands to yourself unless she closes the distance.”

“You want me to play friendly and nice,” I said.

“I want you to make it easy for her to remember why choosing you is not a risk,” he said. “Colin will look gentle. Jason will look desperate. You should look steady.”

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CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED & FORTY FOUR

+25 Bonus

I thought about the last time Talia met my eyes. The calm there had not been indifference. She had been defensive. She noticed everything. If I pushed, she would push back.

“When Jason provokes you, and he will, ignore him,” Marco continued. “If he follows, let me handle it. He’ll attempt to ruin the night and use you as the fall guy if you allow it.”

I nodded once. “What about Colin?”

“Be respectful,” he said. “If she walks with him, you do not interfere. You wait, and when the moment opens, you take it.”

Marco made it seem so simple. Talia wanted to reject me and after I forced the kiss on her, I didn’t even know how she felt about me. I still couldn’t risk losing her to Colin.

Marco returned to his closet and pulled out a charcoal jacket and a soft blue shirt. “Try these.”

“I have my own clothes.”

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“That wasn’t a request, Nolan,” he said. “Put them on.”

I took the jacket and shirt to humor him and changed quickly. The fabric fit cleanly across my shoulders without the usual

stiffness. When I stepped back into the room, Marco looked me over with a critical eye, then nodded.

“Better,” he said. “You look like a man trying to enjoy the night instead of preparing for war.”

I glared. “I can hold a conversation at least.”

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