Second Chance for the Barren Luna (Talia and Jason) novel Chapter 26

Talia’s POV

I barely slept last night, tossing and turning as my mind was filled with questions. Who was the guest important enough to spook my brother and summon warriors suddenly? As soon as sunlight entered my room, I slipped out of bed, got dressed, and quickly exited my room without waking Della, who had crashed on the couch.

Outside, I wasted no time to mindlink Solon.

“Solon, what happened yesterday?” I blurbed it out as the link went through. My stomach twisted in knots as I was trying not to blurt out all the questions running through my mind at once.

“Alpha Nolan is here. He’s the guest,” Solon said in frustration.

My heart sank and I asked, “What did he want?” I couldn’t bring myself to ask the crucial question: are we going to war?

“He didn’t say,” Solon replied. “Anyways, we’re holding a banquet tonight.You will be attending too.”

“A banquet?” I asked in confusion.

I couldn’t shake the feeling that there was danger ahead and that’s what scared me. Alpha Nolan wasn’t acting like his usual self from what Della said. This felt like we were walking into a trap.

Solon sighed. “Nolan is dangerous and short-tempered. Just be cautious with him.”

That night, I dressed in a simple lavender gown that matched my eyes. Della curled my hair into soft waves and dusted my cheeks with a faint blush. She made light conversation, but I could see the slight tremble in her hand. Even she couldn’t hide her worry.

“Are you ready?” Della asked as she handed me a pair of silver heels.

I took a breath. “I wish you were handing me a dagger instead, but yes, as ready as I’ll ever be.”

Della looped arms with me and said, “Let’s go then.”

The banquet hall was already bustling when we arrived. The long tables were adorned with embroidered runners in our pack colors and platters of roasted meats and fruits. Omegas moved between guests, topping off drinks and taking orders.

I could easily tell the Blood Moon pack members apart. It wasn’t the fact that they were dressed in black with blood-red accents but they had a serious aura about them as if they were on guard.

“They’re so serious,” Della muttered.

“This could be the beginning of the war. They don’t know what to expect just like we don’t,” I responded.

Then the doors to the banquet hall opened.

Alpha Nolan strode in with Beta Marco just a step behind him. They were both dressed in black tailored suits, red silk details at the cuffs and collar. Nolan’s long black hair was pulled back in a low tie, emphasizing his sharp jaw and piercing eyes. He was tall and imposing.

His eyes swept over the gathered guests until they landed on me. For a heartbeat, our gazes locked. I was stiffened by his dominant and familiar aura. There was a flash of curiosity and something else in his eyes, but it was gone in an instant.

I walked over to stand by my father’s side with Solon on his right. My father stood up from his seat at the head of the table to greet him and Alpha Nolan stopped only a few feet away.

“Welcome Alpha Nolan, Beta Marco,” my father said smoothly.

“Alpha King,” Nolan replied with a slight bow. “Thank you for your hospitality.”

‘Solon, calm down. He’s trying to bait you!’ I warned through our mindlink, panic tightening in my chest.

But Solon wasn’t listening. “This isn’t Blood Moon, Alpha Nolan. Watch your tone. Show some respect, or I swear—”

A thunderous roar cut him off. The chandeliers above shook from the force.

“Enough!” my father’s voice boomed across the hall with his Alpha command as he slammed his hands down on the table. “Solon.”

All anger that Solon had been feeling vanished as he turned to my father, dropping his head respectfully. “Yes, Alpha.”

“Escort your sister out. Now,” father commanded.

“But Father…” Solon tried.

“Do not make me repeat myself!”

Solon said nothing more. He reached for me and led me out of the hall.

Just before the doors shut, I looked back. My father and Nolan were still staring at each other—tense, silent, like they shared a dangerous secret.

What were they hiding?