Second Chance for the Barren Luna (Talia and Jason) novel Chapter 399

Talia’s POV

Nolan had been unconscious for almost the entire day from the sedative, but he still crashed right after dinner. He stretched out on the bed and started snoring, finally relaxed. I lay awake for hours, replaying everything Arya said.

Arya didn’t mean to hurt me, but her words stuck. The more I thought about it, the more I realized she was right. I hadn’t always made the best choices as Luna. Losing my father haunted me the most. Maybe things would be different if I’d been smarter or braver.

I watched Nolan sleep, calm and peaceful. I wondered if he ever doubted himself like I did. Probably not. He always seemed sure of himself.

‘I am sure he does,’ my wolf said.

‘He always gets it right,’ I sighed.

‘Nobody can always get it right, not even our mate,’ my wolf replied. ‘We have Moonfire, not the ability to see the future. You chose what you considered to be the best way in the past. Your father knew that you had good intentions.’

I wanted to believe her, but regret wouldn’t let go. I tossed and turned, my mind racing. Finally, I gave up on sleep. The room was quiet except for Nolan’s breathing. I slipped out of bed and went outside.

The moon cast a pale silver glow over the yard. I left the packhouse without thinking, my feet carrying me toward the training grounds.

I heard the steady scrape of a brush near the training ground. Arya was still cleaning after everyone else had gone to bed. Her hair was a mess, gathered back in a rough ponytail. Sweat soaked her shirt, and her hands were red from scrubbing. She looked exhausted even from afar, but she didn’t stop.

‘She deserves this, and she can’t afford to stop. Our mate won’t go easy on her again,’ my wolf said.

Arya had broken the rules when she challenged me for Nolan. Now, if she failed to complete the only task given to her, she could be cast out.

I felt a pang of guilt, but my wolf pushed it away. ‘Do not feel guilty. She did this to herself. It is good that she is owning her mistakes,’ my wolf said. ‘It will make her a better person and a better warrior in the future.’

I walked over and squatted beside her. Arya looked up, surprised but silent. I picked up another brush and started to help.

“Alpha will be angry if he finds out you’re helping," Arya said. “I’m almost done. Go back and rest, Luna.”

“You’re more likely to pass out before you finish,” I said. “And Nolan won’t find out. To be honest, even if he did, I don’t care.”

“What’s wrong, Luna? You didn’t just come out here to help me,” Arya said.

“I wanted to tell you that you were right,” I said.

Arya stopped scrubbing to look at me. Her brush hung loosely in her hand. “What do you mean?” she asked.

“You’re right, Luna,” Arya said.

I considered all the things I wanted to have said to Maggie and remarked, "You deserve to be with someone who is meant for you and who treasures you. Someone who thanks the Moon Goddess for having you."

Arya grimaced, regret clear on her face. "I shouldn’t have messed with you at the party,” she sighed. “I probably missed my chance to meet someone else."

"My birthday is coming up. I’ll invite more people. Maybe you’ll meet someone new," I said.

“Thanks, Luna! I’ll cook dinner tonight, to say thank you!” Arya jumped up and stretched her arms over her head. The idea of cooking seemed to energize her. It was as if she hadn't been cleaning all night.

“Are you sure you can cook? Do you even know how?” I asked, raising an eyebrow suspiciously.

“Of course! After a quick nap, I’ll be ready to go,” Arya said, and then she put her hands on her hips and pretended to be offended. "I’m not just good at training and drinking. I can cook, too!"

I laughed. “Then I’ll be looking forward to it.”

For the first time, the tension between us finally faded.