Second Chance for the Barren Luna (Talia and Jason) novel Chapter 9

CHAPTER NINE

Jason’s POV

“I accept it.”

That was it. No hesitation. No argument. No begging.

Just those two words and then she hung up.

I sat there, stunned.

My hand still gripped the phone. For a moment, I thought I’d imagined it. Maybe I misheard her, but I knew I heard her correctly.

My wolf was snarling inside me, and the tearing sensation ripping through my chest told me this was real.

The mate bond was gone.

A clean, cold cut like Talia sliced it with a knife.

I didn’t think she had it in her. I thought she was trying a new tactic to get me to pay attention, to bend to her demands.

I planned to call her bluff, and she’d cry, maybe scream, and tell me she was wrong.

I even prepared myself to hear her beg for forgiveness. Talia needed to just humble herself and I would offer her a way back if she’d just admitted she was wrong.

I didn’t expect to be wrong.

She did nothing that I had assumed she’d do. It was as if I was talking to a completely different person.

Talia accepted my rejection like it meant nothing, like I meant nothing to her.

She was an omega. How did she even have the courage to defy me? What had gotten into her?

I leaned forward, bracing my elbows on the desk as the pain struck again. It was worse than I’d expected. It felt like something had been ripped out of me. It infuriated me that Talia rejected me and felt nothing.

My wolf growled, furious and unsettled. ‘What did you do?! Call her back now and take back the rejection!‘

I had to suppress him. He didn’t understand. We didn’t have a mate anymore because she was too stubborn to accept her place in the pack.

I had so many questions,

Where was she now?

Had she gone rogue?

Had she joined another pack?

My gut twisted. I didn’t like not knowing. I didn’t like that she defied me. This was not how everything was supposed to go.

The door slammed open without warning. My head snapped up to see Viki.

She was wearing a thin silk robe, barely covering her body. Her blond hair was damp and pulled up in a ponytail. Seeing her like this intensified my anger.

“What are you doing walking around like that?” I growled as I placed my phone down on my desk.

“Jason!” she said brightly, ignoring my anger. “I have news.”

1/3

CHAPTER NINE

+25 Bonus

“Did you hear what I asked you?”

“I couldn’t think about that right now. I have to tell you something important!” Viki exclaimed.

I pulled my shirt off and gave it to her. She quickly put it on and I said, “Don’t ever walk around like that again.”

“Fine. Fine. Okay, someone from the Silverfang Pack called the main office. They’re holding a banquet and said they’d be sending a formal invitation to you and your Luna.”

I blinked. Her words didn’t register at first.

“Wait, what did you say?”

Viki nodded, twirling a strand of her hair. “They called about an hour ago. I was already in the office, so I answered it for you.”

“You answered my calls?” I asked sharply.

Viki’s smile faltered. “I just wanted to help. You weren’t around. I didn’t think it mattered.”

“You didn’t think it mattered?” I repeated slowly, the words sounding even more idiotic. “And you didn’t think to tell me immediately?”

“I’m telling you now,” Viki said with a shrug. “They just asked if the Alpha and his Luna would be attending. I said we’d be delighted.”

I stared at her.

“Who told you to speak for me?” I demanded.

The color drained from Viki’s face, and she bowed her head. “I was only trying to help. You’re stressed. I thought I could take some pressure off your shoulders. And besides,” she added, placing her hand over her stomach, “the entire pack already sees me as Luna. I just… filled in.”

I stood, walking to the window to clear my head. Viki was only trying to help. I shouldn’t take my frustration out on her.

“It’s fine,” I sighed. “Did they say why they were having a banquet?”

“Yes, it is to celebrate the return of the Werewolf King’s princess,” Viki responded.

“They’ll be sending a formal invite?” I asked.

Viki lit up again. “Yes! I thought it was so thoughtful of them. I’ll need to pick a dress. Something elegant. You’ll escort me, of course?”

For a moment, I didn’t answer.

Her perfume hit me again: sweet and overwhelming. It filled the room, clinging to everything.

But it wasn’t right.

It was nauseating.

Talia’s scent had always been soft, clean, natural like the roses she loved so much. It was soothing and you didn’t notice it until you were already under the effects of it. Viki’s scent wasn’t like that. It was loud, abrupt, demanding to be acknowledged.

I missed Talia’s scent.

“Yeah,” I said finally. “Pick any dress. I’ll pay for it.”

CHAPTER TEN

+25 Bonus

CHAPTER TEN

Talia’s POV

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