Second Chance for the Barren Luna (Talia and Jason) novel Chapter 54

Jason’s POV

The heavy oak doors of my father’s office shut behind me with a low thud. I could feel my father’s Alpha aura rolling off him. His aura and anger pressed down on me like a physical weight that I had to focus on not kneel. My wolf paced restlessly within me.

My father sat behind his desk. His eyes fixed on me with a glare so intense that if looks could kill, I’d be dead twice over now.

“I was very clear the last we spoke,” my father said, “to not embarrass me again, wasn’t I?”

“Father, I…”

“You let yourself be deceived by that whore,” my father spat, interrupting me. He stood up slowly, walking from behind his desk. I had known this confrontation was coming. My instinct told me to flee but I stood my ground.

“Father, I was doing what’s best for the pack.” I explained. “The Luna Ceremony can’t be cancelled because she sent the invitations long ago, so-”

“Wait. Did you know it?”

“What? I just…” I’m struggling to find the proper words.

“Don’t play games with me, son. Did you know about her taking the Redbone Flower to fake her pregnancy?” my father snapped.

I swallowed hard. “Yes.”

The vein in my father’s forehead pulsed as his eyes narrowed.

I held his eyes for a heartbeat and then dropped them, because I remembered exactly how many bones he had broken in me as a child after teaching me not to hold a stare too long.

His Alpha aura intensified, and I felt my wolf cower within me.

‘Move!’ my wolf warned but his warning came too late. My father’s fist connected with my chin. My head snapped back as blood sprayed. I stumbled backward. Before I could block, my father punched me again in the torso causing me to gasp for air.

“You dare to lie to me!!” he snarled, his voice booming causing the windows to rattle. “You knew she lied and still paraded her like a Luna.”

He continued to punch me until I was on my knees in a bloody mess.

I spat the blood out and looked up at my father. “Exposing the lie or cancelling the ceremony would cause damages. I intended to resolve it privately and quickly.”

My father slapped me in the back of the head. “Tell me, genius, do you think you can fool the Elder Council, the Alpha King all along? Your idiotic decision would have doomed us!”

“I never thought Solon would find it…” I replied.

“Redbone Flower is a banned substance. Solon is bound to report it to the Alpha King. Other packs will question our strength, our leadership, because you could not see through the lies of a desperate, she-wolf,” my father signed.

I fought against my wolf, who begged me to lower my head further. I kept my posture rigid as I slowly stood. I had learned that showing submission or fear in front of him only prolonged the lesson as it was unbecoming of an Alpha.

“I accept responsibility,” I said. “I will fix it, Father.”

“You will find a reason to visit Silverfang. I will oversee Shadowclaw while you are gone. That’s the plan to fix your mistake.”

“The plan?” I got even more confused.

“The Alpha King’s daughter,” my father said, his tone casual but deliberate. “She’s been out of the public eye for years… the one person he guards like a treasure.” His gaze sharpened. “You’re lucky she wasn’t here to see you embarrass yourself. That means you still have a chance.”

I frowned. “Father, you want me to marry her?”

“Exactly,” he said, leaning forward, “If you can win her, make her your Luna, you won’t just restore Shadowclaw’s honor. You might put yourself in line for the Alpha King’s throne without bloodshed.”

Such a union could lift Shadowclaw higher than any alliance we’d ever dreamed of—higher even than my father’s reign. The thought sent a rush of heat through me, though my wolf’s voice cut in, low and accusing. She’s not our mate…

My chest tightened. “And what about Talia?” I asked, the name tasting like a betrayal.

My father’s expression turned cold, slicing through the air between us. “That ship has sailed. She offers you nothing but sentiment—and sentiment will not raise this pack from the ashes.”

“I understand,” I said finally. My wolf dipped his head in submission, mirroring my outward compliance.

My father stared at me for a long moment, trying to determine if I was lying. He finally nodded and said, “Good. Do not disappoint me again, Jason. We cannot afford another display of weakness.”

“Father, I won’t disappoint you this time.” I bowed, ready to do whatever it took.