Second Chance for the Barren Luna (Talia and Jason) novel Chapter 156

THE ONE HUNDRED & FIFTY SIX

CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED & FIFTY SIX

Talia’s POV

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My eyes fluttered open. I winced at the bright light from the ceiling. It felt as if someone had wrapped my entire body in weighted blankets. The scent of antiseptic told me immediately that I was in the hospital.

“What the hell happened this time?” I muttered as I blinked to allow my eyes to adjust to the light. I was really getting tired of waking up in the hospital.

A chair scraped softly beside me. Solon leaned forward and rested his arms on the edge of the bed. He looked exhausted. His hair was messy, and he had bags under his eyes.

“Thank Goddess, you’re awake,” Solon said.

I tried to sit up, but my body protested. I felt weak and my arms slightly numb. I rested against the pillow again and shut my eyes for a moment.

“What… happened?” I asked.

My mind felt sluggish, but pieces of memory flashed in and out. I remembered talking with Jason. Then, heat pulsed through my body. Hands were on my body and then someone was kissing me. Did my heat start again?

“What do you remember?” Solon asked.

“I remember going with Jason to the cafe,” I said slowly. “We were in one of the private booths. He bought me something, and he told me it was safe.” I paused and pressed my hand to my forehead. “Then, I felt dizzy. I thought the liquor was too strong. My body got hot, too hot. I couldn’t think straight. I couldn’t stop anything.”

Solon listened without interrupting, but his face darkened.

“I thought Nolan showed up,” I continued quietly. “I think… I think I kissed him. Or maybe he kissed me. I can only remember bits and pieces. I assumed it was because I was in heat. I don’t remember anything after that.”

I looked away in embarrassment and shame. My cheeks burning at the memory of Nolan’s kiss-the thrill I shouldn’t have felt still lingering on my lips. I never thought I would have to talk to my brother about this. Could this get any worse?

Solon took a slow breath before saying, “Talia. It wasn’t Nolan kissing you.”

I looked at him sharply. “What?”

“It was Jason,” Solon said,

“Impossible… What are you saying?”

“He used Moonlust, Talia,” Solon answered.

Hearing the word made nausea rise in my stomach. I covered my mouth and shook my head. “No, no, no no,” I said with my voice cracking. “He…he wouldn’t do that.”

“But he did, Talia. I’m so sorry. I know you don’t want to hear that but it is the truth,” Solon continued. “He caused your heat. Then he tried to force the mark on you to restore your mate bond. He wanted to claim you before anyone could stop him.”

Shame and anger tightened my chest. I had given Jason so many chances and every time he proved how stupid it was to give him

any.

“So… Nolan never…?” I started and paused. I then looked at my lap. A wave of nausea hit me. My hand reached for my neck. There was no mark there and I sighed in relief.

Solon shook his head. “Nolan arrived just in time. He pulled Jason off you before he could mark you.”

7/2

CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED & FIFTY SIX

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“How do you know it was Moonlust? It could’ve been something else,” I reasoned.

“No, we are sure. We got the drink tested. The doctor and Leslie confirmed it was Moonlust,” Solon answered.

“Where is Jason? Did he run again?” I asked.

“No, Jason has already been detained. Father will deal with him,” Solon replied.

I wanted to believe that Jason wouldn’t stoop this low, but I remembered how he tried to force the mark before. I felt shame because Nolan warned me. Nolan told me not to trust Jason and I ignored his warning.

“I was a fool. I should’ve banished him like everyone said,” I muttered.

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