Second Chance for the Barren Luna (Talia and Jason) novel Chapter 291

Nolan’s POV

I checked the guard rotation with the captain at the east gate, then walked the perimeter a second time. They were as tight as one night's notice allowed.

‘Worrying will not help the situation. We have done what we can,’ my wolf reassured me but I couldn’t help it. I needed to make sure everything was close to perfect. I refused to allow anything to happen to Talia and Silverfang.

Derek and Marco waited for me by the inner courtyard when I came back from walking the perimeter.

“Everything up to your standard?” Derek questioned. He had always complimented my defenses even though back then I refused to listen to any of his compliments due to misguided anger for my father’s death.

“Yes, huge improvements since the last time I was here,” I responded. “Did Marco debrief you?”

“Yes, our warriors will keep an eye on Kent,” Derek answered.

“That is not enough. From the moment Kent arrives tomorrow and until he leaves, I want you both monitoring him,” I explained. “I want to know who he meets, how long he talks with each of them. If he speaks to another Alpha for longer than a greeting takes, I need to know immediately.”

“Understood,” Derek stated.

Marco nodded. He was quiet and I knew him long enough to know he was already mapping out a plan. That was why I trusted the pair of them with this. They were one of the best Betas.

“Get some rest. Tomorrow will be a long day,” I told them before leaving them to plan.

The corridors had gone quiet by the time I reached my room. We had been moved to a larger guest wing instead of being in Talia’s childhood room. It was a more private and secure arrangement that we needed now.

A young maid approached me before I entered the room. "Lady Talia came back some time ago, Alpha Nolan," she said. "She wanted me to tell you she is having dinner in the small dining hall."

“Thank you,” I said and made my way to the dining hall. I had not seen Talia since morning, and the thought of her eating alone this late did not sit well with me. My wolf was restless being away from her for so long.

When I came in, Talia was staring at the wall. The plate in front of her was nearly full. She did not look up when the door opened.

“Talia, why aren’t you eating?” I asked, but she did not respond.

Talia rolled a piece of bread between her fingers while she was deep in thought. I came around the table and rested a hand on her shoulder. She jumped, gripping her chest, and smiled.

“Goddess, you scared me,” Talia said.

Talia shook her head. "Not that I'm aware of, but that doesn't mean Leslie doesn't know of a way."

"Then we will ask Leslie to look into it," I said. I took her hand. Her fingers trembled against mine. “What else is bothering you?”

“I just don't know what tomorrow will bring. It is making me nervous,” she admitted.

"Derek and Marco will be watching Kent," I said. " I will stay near your father the whole time, from the moment he enters the hall to the moment he leaves it. And if he shows weakness during the ceremony, Talia, even the smallest crack, Solon will take over.”

"Agreed," she said quietly. "A quiet exit is better than him collapsing from exhaustion because of his stubbornness.”

We finished dinner slowly, neither of us really hungry. Afterward, we went to bed without saying much more. Talia fell asleep quickly beside me, but I stayed awake, listening to the sound of her breathing in the dark.

Everything should have been under control. We had planned for every possibility we could think of. Still, I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was wrong. Like we were stepping into a trap without knowing where it would spring from.

I closed my eyes and hoped tomorrow would prove me wrong.