Second Chance for the Barren Luna (Talia and Jason) novel Chapter 419

Nolan’s POV

“ENOUGH!”

Talia’s command rolled down the hall, heavy with the Alpha Queen’s aura. Every wolf dropped to the floor. Marco grabbed the wall to steady himself.

“They’re already fighting,” I said, and ran.

The dining hall was chaotic. One table was flipped, another shoved aside. Broken dishes and spilled stew covered the floor, filling the air with the sharp smell of herbs and meat. Wolves pressed against the walls, eyes wide and ears flat. Near the door, a woman crouched in front of two shaking children, her arm out to shield them.

Henry and Geoffrey stood a few feet apart, breathing hard and glaring at each other.

Talia stood between them, gripping the back of a chair so hard her knuckles turned white. Her chest heaved as she tried to stay in control. Arya stood at her side, pale and tense, fists clenched. She glanced at the twins behind a toppled bench, worry in her eyes, then straightened her shoulders.

“Marco, clear the room.”

“On it!” Marco barked, striding forward. “Everyone out! Now! Move! Take the kids with you. If you’re hurt, go straight to the hospital.”

People started to leave, but too slowly. Most of them kept watching, waiting to see what would happen.

I rushed to Talia and grabbed her by the shoulders, looking her over. “Are you hurt? Did anyone touch you?”

“I’m fine. No one touched me.”

“Are the twins okay?”

“Nolan, I’m fine.” She squeezed my wrist. “I stopped it before it got worse.”

I turned to face Henry and Geoffrey.

“You fought in the dining hall,” I said, looking at both of them. “In front of kids. In front of half the pack during lunch.”

“Alpha, can I say something?”

“No, you cannot. I was clear on what I said before,” I said firmly. “The rule is simple: there’s no fighting in my packhouse for any reason. If you need to settle a grievance, take it to the training grounds with a supervisor, like adults.”

Henry clenched his jaw and wiped blood from his lip, but he wouldn’t meet my eyes. Geoffrey’s face was blank, but his hands twitched at his sides, knuckles bloody. The tension between them was sharp and heavy.

“Neither of you belong to Bloodmoon, so I don’t expect you to know my rules, so I’ll let it go this time.” I put more authority in my voice. “But this is my first and last warning. Cause trouble again, and you’re out. You will not be welcome back. Ever. Is that clear?”

“It is,” Henry said quickly. “I’m sorry, Alpha. This won’t happen again.”

Arya stepped forward, voice trembling. “I’m sorry too. They were fighting because of me. Geoffrey thought Henry insulted me, and then...” She trailed off, glancing between the two men with a pleading look. “I should have stopped it sooner.”

“I was not speaking to you, Arya,” I said, turning my attention to Geoffrey. “Do you have a problem with my rule, Alpha Geoffrey?”

Geoffrey stared at me, jaw tight as he thought. His eyes flicked to Arya, then to the pack members nearby. My wolf bristled inside me, ready to take over and throw Geoffrey out if he made a move. The silence was thick with challenge.

“Noted,” Geoffrey said at last, his tone flat. He didn’t bother to look at me.

“That’s not an apology.”

“I decide who leaves this pack and when. An Alpha who hurts a wolf under my protection doesn’t get to walk out with one of my warriors. Now tell me why my Luna had to step in and handle this.”

“I tried, but I couldn’t get near them.”

“You’re the Deputy Chief Warrior of Bloodmoon Pack. What do you mean you couldn’t get near them?” I snapped. Arya flinched. “Get your priorities straight. Keeping the peace here is your job. Geoffrey being your brother doesn’t give him a pass. If this happens again, you’ll be demoted. Do you understand me?

Arya stared at me, and I expected her to argue, but her facial expression became serious. She nodded and said firmly, “You’re right. It won’t happen again.”

“Good.”

She turned to go, but Talia stopped her.

“Arya, wait.” She raised her voice a bit. “Henry, come here.”

I followed Talia’s eyes and spotted blood soaking Henry’s shoulder. His shirt was shredded, and blood was running down his arm, leaving drops on the floor. There were four deep, angry scratches. Geoffrey must have caught him with his claws when they fought.

‘Dirty fighter,’ my wolf growled. ‘He shifted his hand during the fight.’

“He’s bleeding badly,” Talia said, “and it’s your brother’s fault. Take him to the hospital and get it checked.”

Arya hesitated, glancing between Henry’s wound and the door.

“That’s an order,” I said. “It is not up for discussion.”

“Yes, Alpha.” Arya’s tone softened as she turned to Henry. “Come on, Henry. Can you lift your arm? Does it hurt too much?”