Second Chance for the Barren Luna (Talia and Jason) novel Chapter 68

Nolan’s POV

The dream returned more intensely than ever.

I was in the forest. Moonlight cut through the branches in thin bands. My father called my name once, and his voice was replaced with a low snarl. The black wolf stepped out of the brush. It was massive. Its muzzle was wet with blood. Across its forehead I saw three white streaks in the shape of claw marks. Its eyes were not red. They were clear and focused. My father was running towards me when the black wolf pounced. It tore my father apart. When it lifted its head, it leaped for me.

I snarled awake and sat up. Sweat soaked my shirt and my chest heaved.

‘It was just a dream,’ my wolf reassured me. ‘Breath Nolan.’

The door opened at once and Marco rushed in with his claws ready. His eyes swept the room before fixating on me. Marco relaxed and closed the door.

“The nightmare again?” he asked.

“Yes,” I said as I got out of bed. “I saw it clearer this time. The black wolf that killed my father had three white streaks on its forehead. They looked like claw marks. Its eyes were not red. It was not feral.”

“What do you think triggered you to remember that? Are you sure it wasn’t just a dream?” Marco asked.

“It was a memory. I am sure of it,” I replied firmly. “Perhaps being here is making my memory come back clearer.”

“That does happen with memories that were repressed,” Marco said.

“Bring the blood,” I ordered.

“From the rogues we caught?”

“Yes.” I confirmed as I retrieved a bottle of water. I drank half of the bottle before continuing, “I want it detoxified so we can test it out.”

“Are you sure about this? If we don’t do this, we could kill someone.”

“Then, do it right. The Hunting Rite is the perfect chance. The Alpha King has not shifted in public for years. If he shifts during the Rite, and if what I saw in my dream is correct, we will see the truth. If he matches the wolf I remember, I will kill him in front of every Alpha present.”

Marco’s jaw tightened. “That’s risky. The other Alpha could unite against us.”

“That’s a risk I’m willing to take. I am done waiting.” I hissed.

“Are you sure about this? Innocents could get hurt. If the blood triggers a frenzy in someone else—or if we miscalculate the dose and the Alpha King dies before we even know the truth—that’s on us,” Marco snapped.

“We won’t miscalculate,” I said firmly. “You’ll keep it stable until the poison is cleared. I just need him to lose control and shift right there. Make sure it’s ready before the Rite.”

Marco exhaled sharply, rubbing his temples in frustration. After a long pause, he muttered, “I’ll prepare it.”

He turned for the door. His hand was on the handle when a knock sounded from the other side. Marco opened it and stepped back to let the warrior in.

“Alpha Nolan,” the warrior said with a bow. “Alpha Jason of Shadowclaw requests an audience.”

Marco shot me a look that said he did not like the timing. I did not like it either. What the hell did this idiot want this early?

Jason cleared his throat and tried another smile. “Look, I am not here to cause more trouble. We are allies. I do not want a small misunderstanding to harm that.”

He flicked a glance toward Marco and then to Henry, as if he wanted witnesses for his show of submission. Henry’s face did not change. Marco’s did not either. Both looked at him with confusion.

“You put a shard of glass across my arm,” I said. “That is not a small misunderstanding.”

Jason’s eyes dipped to the bandage at my forearm. He bowed his head in fake humility. “I was wrong. I admit it. I drank too much. I let my pride get the better of me.”

My wolf huffed, ‘Let me sink my fangs into him. Give him an injury and then we’ll be even.’

‘Patience,’ I told my wolf. I planned on getting Jason back, but not before I made use of him.

“You’re wasting my time. So you are here to apologize or what?” I barked.

“Yes, I apologize, Alpha Nolan. I want to keep the alliance on track,” he said. “We both want the same things. We both have a problem with the Alpha King. We can work together. We should.”

I did not answer.

He kept going. “Last night was a mistake. It will not happen again. I will make sure of it. Henry will make sure of it.”

Henry gave a single nod. He did not look at me when he did it. He looked at Jason, as if to remind him of the promise he had just made.

“I do not want this to become something it is not. Talia is not the point. She is a distraction. She is a lowly omega. She is not worth throwing away an alliance over. You agree, don’t you?” He forced that hated smile, waiting for my answer.