Second Chance for the Barren Luna (Talia and Jason) novel Chapter 47

Viki’s POV

The scent of roses clung to everything and it made me want to gag. Jason had replanted the rose bushes and ensured the whole pack house smelled like roses. He knew how much I hated roses but still did it anyway to torment me.

‘He doesn’t love us anymore,’ my wolf whined.

‘Don’t say that. He is just upset. After the Luna ceremony, he’ll be back to normal,’ I reassured her.

I sat in the waiting room, staring at my reflection in the tall mirror. My makeup was caked on to hide my sickly appearance. I could barely stand straight without trembling from the physical strain.

My wolf whimpered, ‘We should just leave now. I’m so tired, Viki.’

‘We don’t have time to be tired or weak. We need to get through this with our head held high. I promise this won’t be for nothing,’ I told her and she only whimpered in response.

Jane, my personal maid, entered the room with a cup of hot tea and set it gently on the tray beside me. She looked nervous, her eyes darting toward the door like she expected someone to burst in and drag me away.

“Your father sent this to you,” she said softly, as if afraid to anger me.

I stared at the teacup. “He plans to murder me for failing?”

“Oh no, Luna,” Jane said. “There are painkillers in the tea. He instructed me to do so. Your father wanted me to remind you to be strong. Once the ceremony is done, no one can undo it. You will be Shadowclaw’s Luna now, no matter what happens after.”

I didn’t respond immediately. I fought back tears. I thought my father had abandoned me, but he was still supporting me. I couldn’t disappoint him then.

“Thank you, Jane,” I muttered.

Father was right. Once the ceremony was completed, it would seal my place in Shadowclaw’s records, in the eyes of the Council, and before all attending Alphas. Jason would need to inform the Council and the Alpha King to banish me since he was having a formal Luna ceremony.

Jason would have to admit he misled the Council and the Alpha King and accept punishment. There was no way he would do that. I had sufficiently cornered him. He would just have to accept me as Luna.

There was a loud knock on the door and the door creaked open. “Luna, it is time,” a warrior called to me. I drank down the tea and slowly stood with the help of Jane.

I walked down the side hall, back straight, chin high, all the while my body throbbed with pain. The double doors to the hall opened slowly, and murmurs filled the air as heads turned toward me.

I scanned the crowd and found Jason standing near the stage, greeting guests with that fake smile he always used in public. His eyes barely acknowledged me. Instead, they focused entirely on Talia and Solon.

Talia didn’t respond to my jab and turned her attention back to the floral arrangement. “I am surprised you chose roses. I thought you hated them.”

“I thought it would be a nice touch to remind Jason how he upgraded.” I sneered and Talia turned to face me. “You must be jealous that Jason never even formally made you Luna. It’s quite sad that he never took you seriously, but can you blame him?”

Talia’s calm expression didn’t change. “I mean, one woman’s trash is another woman’s treasure.”

“Excuse me?”

“I’ll say it simpler so you can understand,” Talia said. “Jason is garbage. I don’t want him. You can have him, ok?”

I stepped closer. “Cut the crap. I know you’re only here to gloat because you’re with Prince Solon now, but you’ll regret it.” My voice dropped to a whisper. “Today is your end.”

And with that, I let my knees buckle.

I screamed loud enough for every guest to hear, then collapsed right on cue like the perfect victim.