Second Chance for the Barren Luna (Talia and Jason) novel Chapter 45

Viki’s POV

The tray clattered loudly as Henry dropped it on the small table near the wall. The smell of roasted meat and steamed greens filled the room, but I barely noticed. My appetite was gone the moment I saw the judgment in his eyes.

“Please,” I said softly, forcing a tremble into my voice. “Just let me talk to Jason. Just once. I need to explain.”

Henry didn’t move. He stood by the door, arms crossed. “Explain?” His voice was low and bitter. “Explain how you lied to your Alpha? Faked a pregnancy? Framed his true mate? No. More like you’ll make up more lies to manipulate your way out of this situation. I don’t think so.”

I bit the inside of my cheek, letting tears spill freely. “I didn’t mean to hurt anyone. I only…”

“Save it.” He cut me off, disgust flashing across his face. “You drove Talia, our real Luna, away with your lies. You humiliated our pack with your antics. And now you want sympathy? You’re disgusting. You never deserved to be Luna. I don’t even know what Alpha Jason was thinking to believe for a second that you were better than Talia.”

I shook my head. “I loved him. I did it all because I love Jason. Please, I’m begging you…”

“You’re lucky you’re being allowed to stay in your room and not the dungeon, where you belong,” Henry interrupted.

“Please, Henry. Just let me speak to him,” I pleaded.

“Why don’t you understand?” he said flatly. “The only reason you're still breathing is because Jason pities you more than he hates you.”

I bowed my head and sobbed louder, hoping he'd feel even a sliver of guilt. Henry scoffed and said, “Your tricks won’t work on me.” He turned toward the door.

“Henry…” I reached for him, my hand touching his back. I felt his body tense and then he spun, grabbing me by my already bruised throat.

“Keep your mouth shut!” Henry growled.

My eyes widened in surprise at Henry’s cruelty. I knew he was one of Talia’s biggest supporters, but I didn’t think he was this loyal to her. I should have convinced Jason to get rid of him when I had the chance.

“Alpha Jason already gave me permission to discipline you if you step out of line.” Henry tossed me away from him. I managed to only stumble backward and stay on my feet. “In three days, the Luna Ceremony will go forward. After that, Alpha will let you go quietly. It’s more than you deserve.”

He left my room, slamming the door and locking it behind him.

I slumped to the floor and screamed into my hands in anger and exhaustion. My wolf growled within me, angry that Henry had spoken to me like that. If the Redbone Flower toxins weren’t still in my system, she would have surfaced and made him think twice about treating us like this.

I crawled over to my vanity table and slowly pulled myself onto the chair. My neck and back still ached from where Jason had grabbed me. I unwrapped the scarf I’d tied around my neck.

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