Second Chance for the Barren Luna (Talia and Jason) novel Chapter 64

Talia’s POV

“No, thanks,” I said, keeping my voice steady. “I’ll cover it, Alpha Nolan.”

Nolan didn’t acknowledge the refusal. He gave the attendant a small nod to continue, as if my words were background noise.

“Did you not hear me?” I asked sternly, pushing Nolan’s hand out of the way.

“It is a gift,” Nolan said, finally acknowledging me. “For Della’s upcoming birthday. And a courtesy to Beta Logan for his hospitality.”

His words annoyed me. He should be thanking my father for his hospitality, since he was the reason Nolan was even allowed to be in Silverfang. Everyone else was against it.

“I don’t want your gift,” I replied.

“Shouldn’t the birthday girl be making that decision?” Nolan sneered.

“Thank you, Alpha Nolan,” Della cut in quickly. “That is very kind of you.”

“Della,” I warned under my breath.

She shot me a look that said not here. The attendant finished packing everything as if she wanted us out of the shop as quickly as possible.

I gathered the bags before Della could reach for them. “We are heading home,” I said to Della. “Let’s go.”

We turned away from the counter. Nolan stepped aside to allow us to leave, which somehow irritated me more. Why was he being nice all of a sudden?

“Thank you again,” Della said over her shoulder. “Alpha Nolan! You should come to my party next week.”

I whipped my head around and hissed through our mindlink, ‘What the hell are you doing? Don’t invite him!’

“I will come,” Nolan said without hesitation. “Please inform Beta Logan of my attendance.”

“Uh, sure,” Della stammered, surprised at his willingness. “I will let him know.”

I continued walking, practically stomping out of the store. Della hurried to match my pace. The store’s music faded as we stepped back into the mall.

“Talia, slow down!” Della called after me when I was five stores away.

“What was that?” I asked as soon as she caught up.

“Uh, it was just a gift,” Della said with a shrug.

“I refused it,” I said with a frown.

“Well, technically it was for me,” she answered with a laugh. “You heard him.”

“He overstepped. I don’t need… We don’t need him buying anything for us,” I argued.

Della hugged one of the dress boxes closer to her chest. “It wasn’t worth a scene at the counter. He paid. He didn’t ask for anything in return.”

“You don’t know that yet,” I retorted.

We took the escalator down, then cut through the crowd toward the exit. The evening sky showed through the glass doors. I kept walking until we were outside.

Our driver pulled the car from the parking space and rolled to a stop in front of us. He stepped out and took our bags from us. I opened the rear door and slid in. Della climbed in after me.

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