CHAPTER TWO HUNDRED & FOURTEEN
Talia’s POV
Nolan frowned at my words but didn’t argue. He stood and opened the door. “Come in.”
Maggie stepped inside. Her eyes were swollen, and her hands were clasped so tightly in front of her that her knuckles looked pale.
“Stop. That’s as far as you go,” Nolan ordered and Maggie came to a stop a few feet from my bed. Nolan returned to his chair
and sat down.
“I’m sorry,” Maggie started, her voice shaking. “I will accept whatever punishment you decide.”
“You were going to be punished whether you accepted it or not,” Nolan snapped. Maggie flinched at his tone but didn’t respond. “You colluded with Viki and led Talia, your Luna, into a trap that almost got her killed. You are lucky that I didn’t have you hung.”
“I did not know she would do that,” Maggie said quickly. “I did not know she would bring rogues into Bloodmoon.”
“But you knew she’d hurt Talia,” Nolan replied. Maggie opened her mouth as if she wanted to say something and then closed it. Tears slid down Maggie’s face, and she wiped them away with the back of her sleeve like she was angry at herself for crying.
“You’re right,” Maggie said. “I was selfish. I thought I was helping you.”
“Not only were you selfish, but you are arrogant to think that you could dictate the decisions of your Alpha,” Nolan growled. ” Pack loyalty is not optional in Bloodmoon, Maggie. It is not something you do when it benefits you. I thought you understood this. That was my mistake for being too lenient on you.”
Maggie’s knees hit the floor. “Please, Alpha, I will leave,” she said, voice cracking. “If that is what you want, I will leave Bloodmoon.”
Nolan scoffed. “Again, you still think you have a choice in this. The only reason I allowed you to stay is because I wanted Talia to get justice.”
Seeing Nolan so stern with Maggie was surprising. I thought he would be a little lenient based on their relationship, but Maggie had done something unforgivable. Nolan hated rogues more than anything else. Maggie truly should have known better.
“Luna Talia,” Maggie pleaded. “Please. I know I almost got you killed. I’m so sorry. I cannot undo what I did, but I swear I will spend the rest of my life making it right. Please…”
“How am I supposed to believe that, Maggie? You apologized before and led me straight to Viki. What will be different this time?” I asked.
Maggie shook her head hard. “No. I am asking for a chance to prove I am not that person. I made a stupid decision. It won’t happen again.”
Before I felt as if Maggie was lying when she apologized, this time her apology felt genuine. My wolf huffed but did not argue with me. She wanted Maggie to be gone, but she could also tell Maggie was not lying and regretted her decision.
“I can forgive you,” I said.
Maggie’s eyes widened.
Nolan’s head snapped toward me. “Talia.”
“I said I can forgive you,” I repeated firmly. “That does not mean I trust you. It just means for now you will not be banished”
Maggie swallowed hard. “Thank you. Luna Talla, I…”
I raised a hand slightly to stop her from rushing into gratitude too quickly.
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“You will be punished based on pack law. If you ever commit an unforgivable act again,” I said, “there will be no conversation. You will have only one option: flee or be executed.”
“I understand,” Maggie said quickly.
“Swear on it,” I said firmly.
Maggie placed a hand over her heart and then said, “I swear to the Moon Goddess.”
Nolan’s eyes stayed on me. I could tell he did not like my decision by his intense frown, but he wasn’t going to stop me. This was my decision and he wasn’t going to take that from me.
“You will also follow ranks properly. You will address me correctly. If you have concerns, you will speak to Nolan directly and respectfully, or you will keep your distance. Do you understand?”
“Yes,” Maggie said. “Yes, Luna.”
“Now, get out,” Nolan ordered.
Maggie stood slowly, wiped her face, and shut the door behind her.
A moment later, the door opened again, and Della rushed in so quickly she nearly collided with Nolan. Marco followed behind her. Della went straight to me.
“Let me see,” she said with a worried look.
She carefully checked my shoulder and then seemed finally relieved.
“I am fine,” I said and smiled at her, brushing her hand away.
Della’s eyes narrowed. “You were poisoned. I do not want to hear ‘fine’ from you. Do you hear me?”
“The doctor already checked her twice this morning,” Marco said.
Della turned on him instantly. “Doctors make mistakes! And if you ever block me from seeing her again, I will make you regret it.”
“I followed Nolan’s instructions,” Marco said and hands up in surrender.
Della jabbed a finger toward him, then turned back to me and said, “I saw Maggie leaving your room. I wanted to wring her neck, but Marco wouldn’t let me.”
“I forgave her,” I said.
“You did what? Are you sure you’re not sick? She tried to get you killed, Talia.”
“She was deceived,” I said.
“So what?” Della shot back. “She didn’t care if you got hurt as long as you were out of the way, so she could get to Nolan. How could you forgive her? Nolan, you let her do this?”
“I don’t like it, but it was her decision to make,” Nolan responded.
“If Maggie steps out of line again, she will be banished,” I answered.
Della sighed in exasperation and shook her head. “You’re too merciful,” she muttered.
Nolan turned to Marco. “Any updates on the investigation?” he asked, changing the topic.
“The wine was tested. It contains the compound that caused the madness that occurred in your father,” Marco replied “We checked surrounding patrol routes and there was nothing that suggests the madness is spreading across pack borders now.”
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I felt relieved hearing that, but not completely. “Then how did Viki get it?” I asked.
“We do not know yet,” Marco answered.
“Starting today, we need to ramp up warrior training and double border patrols. The moment anyone catches a scent that matches what we saw last night, I want it reported immediately.”
“Yes, Alpha,” Marco said.
Nolan looked at Della. “And you stay close to Talia at all times.”
Della crossed her arms. “I was going to do that anyway.”
Marco and Della left a few minutes later. Nolan sat on the edge of the bed and fell silent.
“What are you thinking?” I asked.
“It is a pity that you did not truly get to enjoy your Luna ceremony,” Nolan answered. “So, I’m thinking of holding a return party for you. What do you think?”
“That’s wonderful. Let Maggie organize it,” I suggested.
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