Second Chance for the Barren Luna (Talia and Jason) novel Chapter 62

Talia’s POV

The training grounds were alive with movement and noise. Warriors ran drills in staggered lines. Shields thudded as they met practice strikes. I stood with Beta Logan at the edge with a clipboard in my hands and a roster clipped at the top. With the Hunting Rite approaching, we needed to tighten our security.

Logan looked at the candidates sparring in the nearest ring. “We need speed and experienced trackers, not just muscle.”

“I agree,” I said. I marked two names on the roster. “And they must be calm under pressure, so someone experienced.”

Logan grunted approval. He nodded toward a dark-haired warrior weaving through a pair of opponents. “Kade, he’s a good prospect. He listens.”

“Kade goes,” I said, circling his name. “I think Rhea would be a perfect match for him.”

“Rhea?” Logan repeated.

“She grew up near the marsh. She knows how to move quickly without making a sound,” I explained.

Beta Logan smiled and I raised an eyebrow. “What?”

“You’re doing well, Princess. I am happy you’re back,” Beta Logan replied.

“Thank you, Beta Logan,” I said, blushing lightly. I cleared my throat before saying, “We need to make sure we have a few more. We can’t afford to not be too careful. The Hunting Rite brings in spectators and opportunists.”

He nodded once. “Then pick four more, Princess.”

We continued on like this for a few more minutes before we had settled on four more warriors. Logan took the roster, reviewed the names again, and handed it back. “That puts two full patrols on rotation and one reserve. This is good coverage. Anything else, Princess?”

“Rotate them in twelve-hour shifts until the Rite begins,” I said. “We don’t want anyone exhausted. If anyone looks tired, I want them replaced before they start making mistakes.”

“As you command,” he said. Then his gaze sharpened beyond my shoulder. “Della.”

I barely had time to turn before Della rushed up, braid swinging, and the scent of clean linen trailing after her. She slowed when she saw her father, adjusted her shoulders, and tried for a dignified walk. It lasted for three steps.

“Princess,” she said, beaming at me. “I came to steal you. We’re going shopping.”

Logan frowned and he scolded, “You do not ‘steal’ the Princess from a security inspection. This is an important task that you will be taking over in the future.”

Della’s smile faltered. “I know, but my….”

“It’s fine,” I said, turning to Beta Logan. “We’ve chosen enough people for today.” I handed the clipboard to Logan. “Have the captains brief them and assign them to their areas. I want the shifts posted by nightfall.”

Logan accepted with a short nod. “Consider it done.” He turned to Della, stern again. “I agreed to your birthday party, but you will not turn it into a spectacle. No fights. No staging pranks. No dragging the kitchen staff into last-minute requests.”

Della pouted and said, “I won’t cause trouble, father, I promise.”

“Do not worry, Beta Logan. I’ll make sure she keeps her word,” I said before leading Della away.

“When is your birthday?” I asked.

She blinked. “Are you joking? It’s next Wednesday.”

Guilt tugged at me. I had been so deep in preparations, meetings, and border reports that I had completely forgotten her birthday. “I should have remembered,” I said quietly.

Della waved it off, but her eyes softened. “You’re doing Princess work. I’m not mad. I just wanted to pull you away for an hour. You need new clothes. The shops will reserve pieces if you go in person.”

“What do you want for your birthday?” I asked.

“Yes, ma’am,” the warrior said. He stepped forward, gesturing toward the sparring rings. “This way, Alpha.”

I shifted to go with Della, but Jason’s voice cut in again. “Talia, wait.”

I stopped. Della took a half step back toward me, ready to plant herself between us again.

“What?” she snapped. “What do you want now?

Jason kept the polite tone, but his jaw was tight. “I’d like a word. It won’t take long.”

Henry said nothing. He said with his eyes that he would see everything. Della crossed her arms over her chest and shook her head.

“No. You don’t get private words anymore. You don’t get anything. Not after how you treated Talia,” Della stated.

“Della,” I said quietly. “It’s fine.”

I glanced at Logan. He gave a short nod and shifted his stance so that anyone approaching from the yard would have to pass him first. Della stood side by side with Henry.

“I’ll be right here if he tries anything,” Della said.

“There’s no need for that. I just want to talk,” Jason stated.

“Sure,” Della responded with an eye roll.

I stepped three feet aside with Jason. I wasn’t far. I was still within sight of Logan’s steady stare and the warrior escort who had not yet moved.

“What do you want to say?”