The Silver Wolf (Diana and Talon) novel Chapter 134

Chapter One Hundred Thirty Four

Class

The warriors slowly returned to training, though many still looked over with awe and excitement. Damon gestured toward the edge of the field, and the two kings walked away from the crowd.

For a while, neither spoke. Then Talon stopped beneath the shade of a large tree overlooking the grounds.

“When we go to Stone Claw,” he said, “there is a strong chance we will fight.”

Damon’s expression immediately became serious.

“Yes.”

“If Rafe is there, he will not leave willingly.”

“No.”

“And if Thorne is involved, we may be walking into something worse than a pack challenge.”

Damon nodded slowly.

“I know.”

Talon looked toward the training ground.

“My priority will be Diana.”

Damon did not interrupt. Talon continued, his voice lower now.

“I know she can protect herself. I know she is strong, I know Artemis is powerful. But she is my mate.” His jaw tightened.

“And if the choice comes between protecting her and protecting anyone else…

Talon eyes shifted to Damon. “I will choose her.”

Damon held his gaze.

“I would expect nothing less.”

Talon watched him carefully.

“That includes Willow.”

The words landed heavily. Damon went still. Talon’s voice remained firm.

“I will protect my sister if I can. But if Diana is in danger, I will go to my mate first.”

Damon said nothing. Because he understood what Talon was saying. And more than that- he understood what Talon was asking.

No. Not asking. Entrusting. Talon turned fully toward him.

“So I am leaving Willow’s protection to you.”

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Clar

Damon’s breath stopped. For a moment, he simply stared. The sounds of training faded behind him. The world narrowed to those words.

I am leaving Willow’s protection to your

It was more than strategy. More than necessity. More than trust on a battlefield. It was acceptance. Reluctant. Hard-earned. Not complete. But real. Talon Ravenwood, Alpha King, brother of Willow, was giving him something Damon never thought he would receive. A chance. A blessing.

Damon swallowed.

“You trust me with her?”

Talon’s eyes narrowed slightly.

“Do not make me regret it.”

Damon almost smiled, but the weight of the moment kept him serious.

“I won’t.”

Talon stepped closer.

“If she gets hurt because of you-”

“I know,” Damon said quietly.

“No.” Talon’s voice hardened. “You do not.”

The aura around him shifted, not overwhelming, but enough for Damon to feel the Alpha King beneath the

man.

“If Willow is harmed because you failed her, there will be no kingdom, no alliance, no prophecy, no Goddess-given bond strong enough to protect you from me.”

Damon held his gaze.

“I understand.”

Talon studied him for several long seconds. Then he nodded once. Just once. But it felt like more than Damon deserved. Damon looked toward the training field, breathing slowly.

“She is everything I did not know I needed,” he said quietly.

Talon remained silent. Damon continued.

“I thought I needed the Silver Wolf to save my people.”

His gaze moved toward the pack members training.

“I thought I needed power. But Willow…”

His voice softened.

“She sees the parts of this kingdom I sometimes forget to look at. The pups. The families. The injured. The

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lencly wolves still learning how to belong.”

He looked back at Talon.

“She is already changing this pack.”

Talon’s expression was unreadable. Damon continued.

“And I know I hurt her. I know I do not deserve her trust yet. But I will protect her.”

His voice hardened with conviction.

“With my life.”

For a moment, Talon said nothing. Then he looked back toward the training ground.

“She always wanted to be more than my sister.”

Damon glanced at him. Talon’s jaw worked slightly.

“I did not realize how much my shadow covered her until I saw her here.”

That admission did not come easily. Damon knew that. So he did not interrupt.

“She belongs here,” Talon said quietly.

The words were almost reluctant. But true.

“She can be more here.”

Damon’s chest tightened.

“She is already more.”

Talon looked at him.

“Then make sure she never feels less.”

Damon’s throat tightened.

“I swear it.”

Claim

The two males stood in silence. Not friends. Not yet. Maybe not ever in the easy way others became friends. There was too much history. Too much hurt. Too much pride. But something had shifted. Respect. Trust. A beginning. Finally, Talon turned to leave.

Damon stopped him with one question.

“Does Willow know?”

Talon paused.

“Know what?”

“That you are giving me your blessing.”

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Talon looked back at him. His face was completely blank.

said nothing about a blessing.”

Damon stared. Talon’s mouth-twitched faintly.

“I said I am leaving her protection to you.”

Damon slowly smiled.

“Of course.”

Talon narrowed his eyes.

“Do not smile like that.”

“Like what?”

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