The Silver Wolf (Diana and Talon) novel Chapter 138

Chapter One Hundred Thirty Eight

Clam

Not long after Talon and Diana entered the sulte assigned to them, a firm knock echoed through the room. Talon immediately looked toward the door. Diana noticed the subtle shift in his posture. Alert. Ready. Ever since the attack by Thorne and the feral rogues, neither of them trusted unexpected visitors. Especially inside Stone Claw territory

Fenrir stirred instantly.

“Open the door.”

“And if it is a trap?”

“Then we break the trap.”

Diana rolled her eyes.

“Such a wonderful strategy.”

“It has worked so far.”

Talon moved toward the door and opened it.

Immediately, a familiar scent reached them.

“Beta Enzo.”

2

The large Beta stood outside with a small smile on his face.

“Alpha. Luna.”

Without waiting for an invitation, Enzo stepped inside the moment Talon moved aside. Honestly- after everything they had been through- Enzo barely counted as a guest anymore. He was family.

“It has been a while,” Enzo said.

Diana smiled warmly.

“It has, Enzo.”

She gestured toward the sitting area.

“Come sit down.”

Enzo did so immediately. Then Diana leaned forward slightly.

“How is the pack doing?”

The question instantly turned the conversation serious. Enzo’s expression became professional.

“The pack is doing well, Luna.”

That alone eased some tension from Talon’s shoulders.

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“No attacks?”

Enzo shook his head.

“Not a single one.”

Clam

That surprised both Talon and Diana.

“Nothing?” Diana asked.

“Nothing,” Enzo confirmed. “No feral rogues. No suspicious movement. No sign of Thorne.” A pause. “It is almost as if they vanished the moment you both left for the Rogue Kingdom.”

Talon frowned. That bothered him. It bothered him a lot. Because enemies did not simply disappear. Especially enemies like Thorne.

“Father and Mother?” Talon asked.

Enzo nodded.

“They are overseeing everything while you are gone.”

That finally earned a small smile from Talon. Knowing Rowan and Selene were handling things made him feel significantly better.

There were very few wolves Talon trusted completely. His parents were among them.

“That is good to hear.” His voice softened slightly. “Knowing Father and Mother are there gives me peace of mind.”

Diana reached over and squeezed his hand. She understood exactly what he meant. The Royal Pack was their responsibility.

Being away from it never sat comfortably with either of them. Especially now. Especially when they knew someone powerful was targeting the Silver Wolf. Enzo waited a moment before speaking again.

“The pack misses you both.”

Diana smiled.

“We miss them too.”

“Especially the pups,” Enzo added.

That made Diana laugh softly.

“I knew it.”

“They have been asking when their Luna Queen is coming home.”

Artemis practically purred.

“Our pups.”

“They are not technically ours.”

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Claim

They are ours. Being the Luna means all pups are ours in some way.”

Diana decided not to argue. Because Artemis was never going to change her mind. Talon shook his head fondly. Then his expression turned serious again.

“The elders.”

Enzo immediately nodded.

“They arrived safely.”

That got both Talon’s and Diana’s full attention.

“How did Vanessa react?” Diana asked.

Enzo snorted. That alone was answer enough.

“Poorly.”

Talon leaned back in his chair.

“Let me guess. She complained. Repeatedly.”

Enzo grinned.

“Repeatedly.”

Diana sighed.

“Of course she did.”

Enzo continued.

“When the elders arrived, Vanessa immediately demanded to know why they were here.” A pause. “She said they were not invited.”

Talon pinched the bridge of his nose.

“She actually said that?”

“Word for word.”

Diana looked equally exasperated.

“What happened next?”

Enzo’s smile widened.

“Elder Alaric corrected her.”

Talon immediately knew where this was going. And it was glorious.

“The elder informed her that elders do not require invitations.”

Diana covered her mouth to hide her smile.

<Chapter Opendred Thirty Eight

Oh no.”

“Oh yes.”

Enzo continued.

Charm

“He explained that because her mate is the one claiming the Alpha title, the Elder Council is required to investigate the succession.”

Talon actually chuckled.

“And how did Vanessa react to that?”

Enzo looked delighted.

“She looked like someone told her the ceremony had been canceled.”

Diana couldn’t help laughing. Even Talon looked amused. Because this entire situation revealed one very troubling fact. Vanessa truly did not understand the rules governing Alpha succession. Which was astonishing. And dangerous.

“She attended Alpha training, didn’t she?” Diana asked.

“As far as we know, yes.”

That made no sense. Vanessa was Alpha Charles’s only child. She should know these laws better than almost anyone.

Talon shook his head.

“My mate.”

His tone was dry.

“Vanessa is not exactly the brightest wolf.”

Diana sighed.

“Or she spent her entire life expecting everyone to simply agree with her.”

Enzo nodded.

“That sounds more likely.”

Silence settled briefly.

Then Enzo asked the question they had all been waiting for.

“Have either of you met her mate yet?”

Immediately the room grew tense. Talon’s expression hardened.

“No.”

Enzo frowned.

Still?

“No

Diana crossed her arms.

“Apparently he is handling important pack business.”

Enzo’s eyebrows shot upward.

“Important enough to ignore the arrival of the Alpha King?”

“Exactly.”

The Beta’s expression darkened.

“That is suspicious.”

“More than suspicious,” Talon corrected. “It is insulting.”

Enzo nodded immediately.

“Any future Alpha with common sense would personally greet the Alpha King.” A pause. “Unless he is hiding.”

That was exactly what all three of them had been thinking. Diana leaned forward.

“I think they are trying to catch us off guard.”

Both males looked at her.

“If her mate is Rafe-which we already suspect-then revealing himself immediately ruins whatever plan they have.”

She tapped the armrest thoughtfully.

“If we see him now, the ceremony ends before it begins.”

Enzo slowly nodded. That made sense.

“They might be hoping we remain uncertain.”

“Exactly,” Diana said.

“They think if they wait until the ceremony starts, we will hesitate to interrupt.”

Talon immediately snorted.

“As if.”

Diana smiled.