Second Chance for the Barren Luna (Talia and Jason) novel Chapter 369

Talia’s POV

I didn’t really believe it was real until Nolan opened the first barrel. As soon as he did, the smell struck me right away, thick and heady, curling in the air like a breathing thing. There was no doubt this was my father’s wine.

This wasn’t like the new batch we made yesterday. This was the real Rosefall, rich and warm, full of roses and something deeper, earthy and almost sweet. The smell lingered in my nose. For a second, I felt like a child again, standing next to my dad, helping him with the barrels.

Nolan poured two cups, gave me one, and we tried it together.

I couldn’t say a word. This was my father’s wine, no doubt about it. Years in storage hadn’t spoiled it. If anything, it tasted even better, just like he always said. It grew richer as time passed.

“That’s it,” I finally said. “It’s my father’s. He really did save some for us. He must have sealed that room and never got the chance to tell us about it.”

‘He would have wanted us to use it for the party,’ my wolf said, and I agreed.

“This is amazing,” Nolan said as he looked at the color. “Solon’s going to flip when he tastes it. You should tell him now, before the party.”

“Nope.” The idea hit me, and I was sure about it. “Let’s make it a surprise. He should find out tonight, in front of everyone, that Dad left us his Rosefall. I want to see his face when he finds out.”

Nolan laughed. “Alright, I’ll keep quiet. Let’s bring these to the kitchen.”

A few hours later, the square was full of lights, tables of food, and music filling up the night. I took care of the wine while everything else came together. As I watched servants bring out dish after dish and everyone in their best clothes, I felt something I hadn’t let myself feel in months: pride at seeing my people gathered, relief building within my chest as laughter and music pushed out the shadows, and a soft ache for how much I’d missed this. The whole pack arrived, happier than they’d been in a long time. Kids ran between tables, warriors hugged their families, and tonight was for celebrating, so that’s what we did.

In the center of the square, Derek stood holding a torch, waiting for everyone to look his way. Once enough people were watching, he held it up high.

"For the fallen. May they never be forgotten," he called out, then touched the torch to the huge pile of wood. The fire caught right away, sending golden flames rising into the night. The crowd cheered as the heat spread.

Henry had set up a bar off to the side, and it was already three rows deep with people. At one end, young pack members gathered, just old enough to join in, full of wild energy. One boy kept sneaking glances at the girl next to him, too shy to say anything.

"Go on," his friend said, loud enough for everyone nearby. "Say something."

Blushing, he finally said something to her, though I couldn’t hear what it was. She laughed and answered, and his whole face lit up. His friends nudged him from behind, but he only looked at her.

I laughed too, recognizing that look.

"What?" Nolan asked.

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