Second Chance for the Barren Luna (Talia and Jason) novel Chapter 150

CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED & FIFTY

+25 Bonus

CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED & FIFTY

Talia’s POV

For a moment, no one spoke. Della and I just stood there, too stunned to speak.

“Say it,” Solon said, breaking the silence. “Say it again.”

His eyes were unfocused. He was taking deep, ragged breaths as he managed the pain of feeling his mate reject him.

“I don’t need to,” Leslie stated. “You heard me.”

Solon took a step forward and growled, “Say it!”

“Solon, stop!” I moved between them, raising my hands. “You need to leave.”

Solon eyes flicked toward me. His wolf was close to the surface, ready to take control. There was hurt in his eyes that made my

heart ache.

“She rejected me,” he said, disbelief twisting his tone. “What have I done to deserve that?”

“She doesn’t mean it,” I said quickly. “She’s panic. You can’t make decisions right now.”

“I have to accept it,” he said, shaking his head. “If the bond’s gone, it’s gone.”

Panic tightened my chest. Accepting a rejection in anger could destroy him and her. “No! The bond is still there. Until you accept it, it will be weakened but it will remain.”

Della caught on immediately. She slipped to his side and took his arm. “Solon, come with me. Let’s get you outside. Please.”

He didn’t move at first. His gaze stayed locked on Leslie, who sat motionless. Then, slowly, he let Della steer him toward the

door.

“I’ll talk to her,” I said, meeting his eyes. “I promise, brother. Just breathe, ok?”

Solon nodded before leaving with Della. The door shut quietly behind them.

“What the hell were you thinking?” I asked.

Leslie glared at me and said, “That’s my question for you! You shouldn’t have stopped him.”

“Yes, I must. Of course, I wasn’t going to let him decide before he even has a good conversation with you,” I argued.

Her eyes flashed. “It was my choice.”

“And it was his too,” I said, keeping my tone calm. “But choices made in pain sometimes become regrets,”

“You don’t get to lecture me, Talia,” Leslie snapped, “I saved your damn life, remember? You need to learn to mind your own business and stop overstepping!”

“Yes, you saved my life, and I owe you more than to stand by and let you ruin yours,” I countered.

Leslie’s eyes narrowed. “So now you think you know what’s right for me?”

“No,” I said. “But I know what it looks like when someone gives up before trying.”

Leslie let out a bitter laugh. “Spare me the speeches, Talia, You sound like everyone else who thinks the bond fixes all problems.”

“It doesn’t fix everything,” I agreed. “But it can be a beautiful thing if you accept it.

“Like Jason?” she asked sharply. “Was the mate bond with him beautiful?”

1/3

CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED & FIFTY

+25 Bonus

I kept a neutral expression, but the words stung. It was a low blow, but I knew she was just lashing out. “At first, it was. Or perhaps I was just blind to his lies,” I responded truthfully. “That’s why I can tell the difference now. Solon isn’t like him.”

“You can’t know that,” Leslie argued. “He’s good to you because you’re his sister.”

“I know that. I have known him my entire life,” I said. “Solon has had every reason to give up on people and never has. He still

believes in others even when it hurts him.”

“I don’t believe you,” Leslie muttered.

“You don’t have to. You can ask anyone here in Silverfang. You can even ask Jason,” I said. “He’s stubborn, yes, but not cruel. You don’t have to love him right now. You just have to give him the chance.”

“I can’t,” Leslie said.

“Yes, you can. Why are you so afraid….”

“Because my father betrayed my mother!” Leslie burst out, tears spilling before she could stop them.

I froze, caught off guard. I hesitated only for a second before attempting to hug her. She pushed me away. “Don’t.”

I nodded and stepped back, giving Leslie space. I waited quiet, patient until she found her voice.

“My parents were destined mates,” Leslie began. “My father was a warrior. Strong, respected. Everyone said the bond would make any wolf loyal, but no, not my father. He fell for someone else: a damn rogue. Can you believe that? He forced my mother to save her when she was injured, made her use her healing ability, even her own blood to do it. It drained her. She died a week later. He told me it was the Goddess’s will and that bonds can break when hearts change. I stopped believing that stupid bond that day.”

I wiped away the tears that I didn’t realize had fallen. “I’m sorry, Leslie.”

She laughed softly, the sound hollow. “You don’t have to be sorry. Just don’t tell me destiny means anything.”

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify