Second Chance for the Barren Luna (Talia and Jason) novel Chapter 224

CHAPTER TWO HUNDRED & TWENTY FOUR

Talia’s POV

Chaos erupted within the crowd. Pack members began to panic.

“Why are we out here if there are mad rogues around?” someone yelled.

“I have a family!”

“Everyone calm down,” Nolan commanded and the crowd silenced again, but fear was still wafting from them.

“Is the Mad rogues’ blood as poisonous as the legends?” Walden asked, looking directly at me. “It is said that even being near is dangerous.”

I could tell from his tone he was implying that it couldn’t be true. My wolf growled in annoyance as a few pack members were exchanging looks and muttering that it was just an urban legend.

“You are correct. Those who are afflicted lose reason,” I continued. “They do not distinguish between enemy and ally. They react like rabid animals, biting at anyone nearby.”

Walden frowned. “Then, how did you survive, Luna?”

“I was only scratched by one infected wolf and that one scratch nearly cost me my life,” I responded.

Walden frowned, visibly appalled by this new information. The crowd of pack members began to visibly panic. “Alpha, why didn’t you inform me of this?” Walden asked.

“We did not announce this immediately because we did not want panic spreading through the pack without proof,” Nolan explained. “We wanted to make sure that this was the Mad Rogue poisoning.”

“After extensive testing, we confirmed it was true,” I said.

“Luna, you recovered. Does that mean it can be cured?” a warrior near the front of the crowd asked.

“Only because we had a healing herb prepared in advance. I required two full days of treatment before my condition stabilized. And even then, if Alpha Nolan hadn’t gotten me to the doctor in time, I would not have made it,” I answered.

“Two days?” Someone repeated in alarm.

“I was not hiding away in my room because I was embarrassed by being kidnapped,” I said. “I was still recovering. You all know how quickly normal wounds heal. Three hours at most for most of us. Even with wolfsbane poisoning, it would not take a full day for a wound to heal.”

I pulled down my collar to reveal the scar on my shoulder. “This is what the Mad Rogue poisoning did to me.”

Walden’s expression changed. The challenge faded from his face. He finally looked remorseful.

“If a group of infected rogues crossed the border at once,” I continued, “and several of our warriors were wounded, we would be dealing with an outbreak. If enough warriors were weakened at the same time, our defenses would collapse.”

“This is why the wall is needed. The wall would give us time for Silverfang and Shadowclaw to come to our aid,” Nolan added

Walden bowed low to us. “I understand now, Alpha. Luna, Alpha, I apologize for doubting.”

The crowd remained quiet as they processed the information. The earlier anger had disappeared and was replaced with tear

“Are there any objections?” I asked.

No one spoke.

Walden stepped forward and bowed his head slightly. “There will be no more delays. We will have the wall completed within a

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month.”

+25 Bonus

“Thank you,” I said. “All of you for understanding.”

Several hours later, Nolan and I finally returned to our quarters. Nolan chatted about Walden and how he would reprimand him later, but I wasn’t paying attention. I was still upset that he didn’t trust me. I took a shower to clear my head.

“You handled the situation well today,” Nolan said quietly.

“I did what any respectable Luna would have done,” I said as I combed my hair at the edge of the bed.

He crossed the room and stood in front of me. “You did more than that. You squashed a potential riot before it even began. The pack will remember this.”

I did not respond.

Nolan studied my face before saying, “You’re exhausted.”

“I’m fine.”

“You don’t have to pretend with me. Did you overexert yourself?”

“I’m not pretending,” I said. “I’m frustrated.”

“About Walden?”

“About you.”

He blinked. “Me?”

“Yes.”

“You’re still upset about me ordering you to stay behind?” Nolan asked.

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