Second Chance for the Barren Luna (Talia and Jason) novel Chapter 292

Talia's POV

Nolan and I reached the receiving hall right at sunrise. The first of the visiting Alphas were already there, gathered in twos and threes along the side aisles. I worked the line with Nolan half a step behind me, greeting and welcoming each Alpha and Luna.

“Welcome Alpha Kent. It is a pleasure for you to be here again,” I told him, but Kent didn’t respond. He continued staring out the window. My wolf bristled at his rude behavior, but it didn’t matter. I wasn’t going to take the bait. My family had done nothing to Kent. He was becoming an enemy for unfounded reasons and I would not be lenient with him once this backfires in his face.

‘He has not spoken to a single Alpha since we came in,’ Nolan said through the mind link. ‘He is waiting for something.’

“The Alpha King has arrived,” one of the guards near the main doors announced. Everyone turned as the main doors to the hall opened.

My father strolled into the room. Solon walked a half step behind one shoulder. Leslie walked a half step behind the other. My father entered the room as if he hadn’t been deathly sick yesterday.

‘How is this possible?’ Nolan asked.

My father looked suave. He was wearing a well-fitted silver suit with a silver and black hat pulled low over his grey hair which was smart. If any of his hair did show, they would assume it was part of his hat. He wasn’t pale at all. His skin looked warm.

I caught Nolan's wrist without thinking. His pulse was quick under my fingers. He held my hand for a brief second.

‘Leslie must have figured something out and kept it from us,’ my wolf suggested and I agreed.

Across the hall, Kent's mouth opened and closed like a fish out of water.

"It cannot be," Kent muttered, He said it loud enough for the two men beside him to hear. "He was on his deathbed two weeks ago..."

My wolf bristled. I felt she needed to check Kent, but it wasn’t the time. I forced a smile back on my face.

"Alpha Kent, mind your manners today. You do realize it is an offense to wish bad on the Alpha King," I scolded him.

Kent glared at me. Before he could respond, Nolan approached him. The Alphas near Kent backed away.

"Whatever you were about to say next, Alpha Kent, think it through,” Nolan warned. “If I hear about you spreading one more rumor, I’ll make sure you get real familiar with the dungeon and what it's like to not have a tongue. Are we clear?"

Kent's lips pressed flat. He gave a short nod and said, “Of course, Alpha Nolan.”

A chair scraped along the stone. It drew everyone’s attention.

Kent stood.

"Alpha King, before the standing matters are heard, I beg your indulgence. Another Alpha has traveled a great distance to be here today. He comes bearing a gift for Silverfang. He waits at the doors now. I would ask he be admitted before we proceed,” Kent requested.

We had not been told of any other Alpha. The guest list had been settled three days ago. So, who was this new Alpha?

‘Something is wrong about this,’ I told Nolan through the mind link.

‘I am reaching out to Marco now to see if he knows who this Alpha is,’ Nolan responded.

The doors at the back of the hall had already begun to open before my father gave his answer.

A man stood in the doorway. My breath shortened in my throat. The unease that I had felt earlier came back with full force.