Second Chance for the Barren Luna (Talia and Jason) novel Chapter 415

Talia’s POV

Breakfast the next morning was a full spread. Pancakes, bacon, eggs, sausage, loaded hash browns, and even a fruit tart that I ate more than I meant to.

I leaned back after my third plate and caught my reflection in the window. My face was definitely rounder than last month. “Clara, I’m getting fatter because of you. Your food is just too good.”

Annie giggled. “Same! I’ve been eating so well, none of my old clothes fit. Della had to take me shopping twice.”

"I'll take that as a compliment, and Annie, you're a growing girl. You need all the nutrients," Clara said.

“I can’t keep eating like this,” I complained, without any conviction at all, since I was already eyeing another pancake.

“You can and you will,” Nolan laughed, placing the pancake on my plate and pouring syrup on it. “Clara isn’t just feeding you. She’s making sure the twins are healthy. It’s her mission now.”

“A mission I will not fail,” Clara agreed, serious, her hand over her heart.

“Speaking of the twins,” Nolan said, “we should get you in for a checkup.”

“We just went three weeks ago. Once a month, remember? The doctor told you that.” I pointed my fork at him. “You’d drag me in there twice a week if you could.”

“I would,” he said, not the least bit ashamed.

Clara popped her head in. “I’ve written down every appointment, with notes from the doctor. I’ll remind you both, so nothing gets missed.”

“Clara, you’re the best,” Nolan said, and Clara went back to the kitchen, absolutely beaming.

Nolan and I wandered through the rose garden after breakfast. The rose bushes were packed with late blooms, still wet with dew. The scent of roses and fresh earth hung heavy in the air. Behind us, the pack house was starting to bustle: doors banging, voices echoing, and Clara already working on lunch.

‘She is going to make me fat,’ I thought.

‘No, she’s making sure we and our pups are properly fed. Stop resisting. You know you like the attention,’ my wolf teased, and she was right. I did enjoy it. It felt like I was having all the experiences I should have had when I first became Luna.

I tried to focus on that and enjoy the walk, but my mind kept wandering back to Arya and how happy she looked until Geoffrey objected. Why couldn’t he have waited? Why did he have to confront Henry in front of Arya like that?

“You’re thinking about Arya,” Nolan said, interrupting my thoughts.

“I get that, but we have to help,” I argued.

“She has to make the choice herself, and she has to live with whatever it costs,” Nolan said firmly. “Remember how you felt when decisions were made for you. You hated it. If we decide for her, we’re no better than Geoffrey.”

Nolan’s words stung because he was right. I remembered how angry and powerless I felt when other people made choices for me, like I didn’t have a say in my own life. That same frustration came rushing back. I never want Arya to feel that way, even if I want to keep her safe.

“I know. You’re right, I know.” I stopped at the end of the row, turning to face him. “But I’m still her Luna, and I’m allowed to hope she makes the right one. She can’t choose Henry if she never gets a real chance to know him.”

“What are you planning to do?” Nolan asked.

“As I said, she deserves a fair chance at getting to know Henry. Geoffrey had years before they were separated. Henry’s had a single night, and most of that was spent defending himself.” I mulled it over, a plan coming together. “I’ll talk to Henry and see how we can get him and Arya some real time together this week, just them, nothing forced or awkward, and definitely not with Geoffrey watching their every move.”

“I’ll come with you.”

“No,” I said. “I need you somewhere more useful. Go by the training grounds and check on Arya. She’ll be out there this morning. See how she’s doing. And see whether Geoffrey’s already found his way to her, because if he’s half as smart as I think he is, that’s exactly where he’ll be.”

Nolan raised my hand and kissed the back of it. “On it.”