Second Chance for the Barren Luna (Talia and Jason) novel Chapter 413

Talia’s POV

We stood there, tense and silent, while the party kept going as if nothing was wrong. Then Nolan pushed his way through the crowd, speed-walking toward us to avoid causing a scene. His eyes betrayed his worry.

“What happened?” Nolan demanded. He shot a look at Geoffrey, his whole body shifting as if ready for a fight. “Did he do something?”

“Keep your voice down,” I muttered, keeping my voice down since people were close by.

“What’s wrong then? Why does everyone look like they found out someone just died?” Nolan said.

“Arya found her mate. It’s Henry.”

“That’s wonderful. Arya, you…”

“And Geoffrey is her brother,” I continued, cutting Nolan off. “The one she thought died years ago in Doomfur. He just objected to the bond.”

Nolan glanced from Arya to Geoffrey to Henry, clearly stunned. Arya rubbed her face, trying to hide that she’d been crying. Her shoulders trembled, and she wouldn’t meet anyone’s gaze. Geoffrey stood right beside her, arms folded, frowning at Henry. Henry still held Arya’s hand, looking calm, but I could see the tension in his jaw.

“Fate sure loves to mess with us,” Nolan said. He looked straight at Geoffrey. “So, what’s your issue with this?”

“Doomfur and Shadowclaw are adjacent,” Geoffrey said. “But Henry and I have no close relationship. What little I do know about him doesn’t give me much confidence.” He glared at Henry. “He was Jason’s Beta for years. He was a willing participant in the atrocities that Jason and Michael committed. Then, as soon as Jason was out, he switched to Talia like it was nothing. I can’t trust someone who changes allegiance that fast, not with Arya.”

Nolan raised an eyebrow. He stood a little straighter, glancing at Arya for a split second as if weighing her reaction. “So, just because he did not side with Jason when he committed treason against the Alpha King, you think he’s only out for himself?”

“That’s how it looks to me,” Geoffrey replied.

“Or maybe he just didn’t want to follow an incompetent Alpha,” Nolan countered.

“Or maybe he’s just obsessed with Talia. It wouldn’t be the first time an Alpha lost his mind over her,” Geoffrey said.

The word “obsession” set me off. My temper flared, and when I saw Arya's face, seeing how unsure she looked as she hugged herself, I got even angrier.

“He doesn’t deserve her,” Geoffrey responded.

“That’s not up to you,” Nolan said. “It’s up to Arya and Henry, and since Henry does want her, it is Arya’s decision to accept him. No one else gets to decide.” He looked at her, softer now. “Arya, what do you want?”

All eyes were on her. Arya looked between Geoffrey and Henry, and I could see her start to panic. Her breaths came quicker, and her hands shook. She was always so fearless in training, charging into drills without hesitation. Right now, she looked lost as if she was about to bolt. For a second, it seemed like she might speak, but the words caught in her throat.

“I…I don’t know. I really don’t know,” Arya finally said.

“Take as long as you need. No one’s rushing you, especially not him. We’ll go home, and you can think it through there,” Geoffrey said, taking her hand into his.

“She should,” Henry agreed. “And maybe you both can get to know me instead of you judging me based on the one-sided opinion you have of me.”

The two of them stood there, each holding one of her hands and glaring at each other over her head. Arya stood in the middle of it and looked like she'd rather be facing down a pack of rogues.