Second Chance for the Barren Luna (Talia and Jason) novel Chapter 149

CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED & FORTY NINE

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CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED & FORTY NINE

Talia’s POV

The guest wing was quiet other than the sound of birds chirping from the open windows. I had planned to visit the hospital first thing in the morning. Leslie hadn’t left my mind since last night.

Halfway down the hall, the door to Marco’s room and Della stepped out. She looked surprised to see me, then smiled wide and bright. I could see a fresh mate mark on her neck.

“Oh, Talia, what are you doing over here in the guest wing?” Della asked.

“Seems like you had a wild night,” I replied. “Congratulations.”

Della touched it instinctively and grinned. “Is it that obvious?”

“Yes,” I said. “So, did Marco take the initiative? Or did you make this happen?”

“He did. He damn near pounced me last night,” she said, laughing under her breath. “I was just on my way to grab breakfast before he wakes up again.”

“I’m happy for you both,” I said honestly.

“What are you doing over here and up so early? You’re walking like you have somewhere serious to be,” Della asked again.

“I’m going to the hospital to check on Leslie,” I said.

Della’s smile faded and she asked, “What happened to her?”

“She drank too much last night at the bonfire,” I said. “Nolan found her before she collapsed and carried her into the lounge. After everything that happened, Solon took her to the hospital to rest.”

Della frowned. “Poor thing. I didn’t even see her there. I would’ve stopped her if I had seen her.”

“She wasn’t near the crowd,” I said. “I think she wanted to be alone and overdid it.”

“That sounds like her,” Della said quietly as we started down the corridor together. “I still don’t understand why she keeps holding Solon at arm’s length. He’s patient and kind. You can tell he loves her.”

“I think she knows that. I think she’s more worried about the bond,” I said.

Della glanced at me. “You think she’s scared?”

“I think she’s uncertain,” I suggested. “After suppressing it for so long, I am sure the pull from the bond is overwhelming. She has been on her own for so long. Leslie’s probably afraid she’ll lose herself to the bond.”

Della nodded slowly. “Then maybe we can help her understand it and not fight against it.”

“That’s what I was hoping,” I said.

We reached the hospital wing later and signed in at the reception desk. Nurses moved quietly from room to room. The receptionist smiled kindly and said, “Healer Leslie is in Room 224.”

As we approached her door, we could hear muffled voices from inside the room.

“You’re not leaving yet,” a nurse said gently but firmly.

“I’m fine,” Leslie responded: “I don’t need to stay here.”

Della opened the door, and we stepped inside.

Leslie was sitting upright on the bed. Her hair was a tangled mess on her head. The blanket and sheets were thrown haphazardly

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CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED & FORTY NINE

+25 Bonus

off the side of the bed. A young nurse stood near the monitor, holding a clipboard.

“You shouldn’t even be out of bed,” the nurse said firmly. “Your vitals still haven’t stabilized.” The nurse finally noticed Della and me. Her eyes lit up with relief.

“Good morning, Princess. Please tell her she can’t leave just yet,” the nurse pleaded.

I nodded to the nurse. “You can leave now.”

The nurse quickly left the room to let Della, and I handle the situation.

“Good morning,” I said, turning my attention back to Leslie. “We came to check on you.”

Surprise crossed her face before Leslie sighed and said, “You didn’t have to.”

“We wanted to,” Della said quickly as she sat down. “How are you feeling?”

“I’ve felt worse,” Leslie said dryly. “Barely a headache.”

“Why did you overdo it? You were supposed to hang out with us last night,” Della said.

Leslie looked toward the door instead of answering. “Has Solon already left?”

“He went to meet with the healers about your results,” I said. “He didn’t want to wake you.” “That sounds like him,” Leslie murmured. “Quiet, polite, and impossible to shake.”

Della smiled faintly. “He was worried. That’s not something to apologize for.”

“I didn’t ask him to worry,” Leslie muttered as she pushed her hair back and avoided our eyes.

“You scared him last night,” I said gently. “You had alcohol poisoning. You could have stopped breathing before anyone found you.”

“I didn’t mean for it to go that far,” Leslie explained. “I just wanted everything to quiet down for a while. And, he’s late…”

Della’s tone softened. “Hey, you’re supposed to come to us if you need to vent or need a break. You didn’t have to deal with it on your own.”

“That’s the problem,” Leslie said as she rubbed her hand over her face. “The more time I have to think, the more I realize I’m not built for this place or for him,”

“You don’t mean that,” Della and I said at the same time.

“You care about him. You wouldn’t be this torn if you didn’t,” Della continued and I nodded.

“Caring isn’t the same as wanting. You can care about someone and still know you can’t give them what they need,” Leslie responded.

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