Second Chance for the Barren Luna (Talia and Jason) novel Chapter 174

CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED & SEVENTY FOUR

+25 Bonus

CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED & SEVENTY FOUR

Nolan’s POV

While drunk, I had forgotten to close the blinds, so the sunlight made it impossible for me to stay asleep. Annoyed, I shifted to grab my pillow to cover my face when I realized there was someone pressed against me.

Did Marco fall asleep in my bed?

When I opened my eyes fully, I saw Talia.

Her head rested on my shoulder and her arm was draped over my torso. She looked peaceful and content within my arms.

The memory of the night before came back to me. I didn’t expect her to stay with me for the entire night. Honestly, I didn’t know what to expect, but I was pleased with this outcome.

“This is how things are meant to be,’ my wolf said. ‘We should always wake up with her in our arms.’

I attempted to pull my numb arm out from under her but this caused her to stir. When Talia’s eyes opened, her previously peaceful expression was replaced with confusion.

“Good morning, Princess,” I said.

Talia’s head snapped up to look at me. Her face turned red as I watched her realize that she had fallen asleep in my bed. I could hear her heartbeat racing faster.

“L… I shouldn’t be here,” Talia stammered.

Before I could respond, she climbed out of bed. She smoothed her clothes as best she could and avoided my eyes. Then she hurried toward the door.

“Talia, wait. You don’t…” I started.

But she slipped out quickly, closing the door behind her.

I could hear her voice from the hallway. “No, Marco, I won’t be staying for breakfast,” she hurriedly said.

I chuckled as I knew she was running back to her room as quickly as possible.

My wolf snorted in amusement. ‘At least she didn’t run because you pushed her away this time. She knows she belongs here. She can’t deny it anymore.”

Before I could answer him, the door swung open without warning and Marco walked in. He did not bother knocking. Marco’s eyes went straight to the bed, and then to me.

“Well?” he asked. “Did you mark her?”

“No.”

Marco raised an eyebrow. “You expect me to believe that? You two slept in the same bed!”

“I followed the rules,” I growled. “I did not touch her after she fell asleep.”

Marco scoffed. “Congratulations. You have mastered the bare minimum,”

I scowled. “She stayed with me all night.”

“She fell asleep,” Marco corrected.

“She felt safe enough to fall asleep in my arms, in my bed,” I countered.

Marco placed the tray of food on the table and picked up one of the empty bottles on the stand to throw away. “Then why did she

1/3

CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED & SEVENTY FOUR

+25 Bonus

run away if you didn’t do anything?” he asked.

“I did not chase her away,” I argued. “She was embarrassed and panicked.”

Marco shook his head. “She panicked because the mate bond is pulling her toward you and she does not know what to do about it and you are no better.”

“She will not choose Colin anyways,” I said firmly.

Talia’s POV

My face burned from the moment I stepped out of Nolan’s room. I could still feel the warmth of his body and his scent on my skin. Worse, I remembered how safe I felt when I woke up.

How could I have let my guard down so easily? What if he had acted like Jason? But, deep down, I knew Nolan would never take advantage of me like that.

“Just calm down. It’s okay. Nothing happened. You just went to sleep,” I told myself.

I hope I didn’t look as flustered as I felt, but I knew I did. What time was it? I had to get back to my room before anyone noticed. I could shower and act like this never happened.

I ducked behind statues and vases to make sure no one saw me before taking the service hallways back to my room. I thought I made it back without anyone noticing, but only a few minutes later, as I was getting ready to shower, there was a loud knock at my door.

“Talia, open up.”

I let out a quiet groan. It was Solon. Had he seen me? No, he couldn’t have.

I stayed quiet, hoping he would go away quickly.

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify