Second Chance for the Barren Luna (Talia and Jason) novel Chapter 181

CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED & EIGHTY ONE

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CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED & EIGHTY ONE

Talia’s POV

We made it to the Shadowclaw border checkpoint right before sunset. A metal gate stretched across the road with two SUVS parked at an angle behind it. This gate was new. Michael had worked fast once he found out Jason had failed again. It didn’t matter what he did. He was going to lose Shadowclaw, and he was going to be banished.

As Nolan’s car slowed, two armed guards approached us. I could hear Nolan growling low in his throat. I touched his forearm and said, “Stay calm. We have to play it smart.”

“I know,” Nolan responded without looking at me.

Behind us, Della and Marco pulled up in their own car. Farther back, the transport vehicle rolled to a stop.

“State your purpose,” the first guard said as he walked up to the driver’s side window.

“We are here under the Alpha King’s authority,” Nolan responded.

“We have orders from Elder Michael. No entry into Shadowclaw until further notice. Turn back,” the guard stated.

“Do you know who you’re speaking to?” Nolan asked. “I’m Alpha Nolan of BloodMoon and this is Princess Talia of Silverfang. Go and open the gate now.”

The guard barely reacted to my title, which told me he was not going to cooperate. “And I have my orders. No one enters,” the guard replied.

Nolan’s eyes narrowed and his hand tightened on the steering wheel. “Elder Michael does not outrank the Alpha King.”

The second guard stepped closer. His hand hovered near the weapon strapped to his belt.

“We follow Elder Michael,” the second guard said firmly.

Behind us, I saw Marco step out of the car. Della followed, and even from a distance I could tell she was ready for a fight with the way she was rolling her shoulders. Marco’s body tensed as if he was seconds away from incapacitating both guards.

“I don’t think you two understand the situation you’re in,” I said.

“Talia, you no longer have authority here. Leave. We will not warn you again,” the first guard responded, earning a growl from Nolan. I gripped his forearm and shook my head.

“Let me handle this,” I said and Nolan nodded.

I opened the door and stepped out of the car. Nolan got out of the car and leaned against it, watching to see what I would do next.

I turned my head slightly toward the transport vehicle. “Beta Henry.”

“Yes, Princess.” Henry got my hint and yanked the cover from the cage, revealing Jason inside.

“Alpha Jason?!” The guards whispered, eyes wide.

I kept my hand on the cage frame and looked over my shoulder at them. “Tell Elder Michael if you do not allow us entry,” I said,

“I will execute his son right here and the only thing he will have left of him is his bloodied head.”

Jason jerked against the restraints, and the muffled sound that came from behind the gag was pure fury.

“You’re bluffing,” the first guard said, but his voice shook.

“Try me,” I told him. “Do you want your Alpha’s blood on your hands? What do you think Elder Michael will do to you if you are the reason for his only son’s death?”

“Open the gate,” the first guard finally commanded.

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CHAPITR ONE HUNDRED & EIGHTY ONE

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The second guard moved fast, rushing back to the gate. He punched in a code. The metal gate began to move to the left.

I stepped out of the transport vehicle and Henry closed the door. Then I walked back to Nolan’s car and got inside. Nolan got back in right after me and finally allowed himself to laugh.

“Well done. I don’t think I could’ve done it better myself,” he said.

“Thank you.”

After a moment, he asked, “Would you really want to kill him?”

“It was a bluff,” I admitted.

“Good. Death would be too merciful for him,” Nolan replied.

We crossed the border and drove toward Shadowclaw’s pack house. The road inside the border looked the same as I remembered. A few pack members stood near storefronts farther down, pausing to stare as we passed.

A moment later, Elder Michael appeared at the entrance of the pack house, flanked by two guards. His expression was hard, but I saw the panic beneath it. At least he cared a little about the wellbeing of his son.

Michael walked toward us in quick strides. “What have you done with my son?” His voice carried, meant to plant the idea that we were the aggressors.

I stepped forward before Nolan could speak. I had to own this. I would not allow Michael to bully me.

“Jason is alive,” I said. “He is restrained for transport and judgment for his crimes against Silverfang.”

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