The Silver Wolf (Diana and Talon) novel Chapter 14

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fourteen

+25 Points

Diana stared at the massive wolf standing only a few feet away from her, every instinct in her body caught between fight and disbelief.

He was enormous-easily the largest wolf she had ever seen. His coat was so black it swallowed the moonlight, as if shadows themselves clung to his fur. His shoulders rolled with quiet power, muscles shifting beneath sleek skin, a predator forged by battle and dominance.

And yet…

Is he wagging his tail?

The thought slipped into her mind uninvited, absurd and impossible. She blinked once, then twice, just to be sure her eyes weren’t betraying her.

The great wolf’s tail swayed slowly from side to side, not stiff or aggressive, but loose- almost eager. His ears were perked forward, golden eyes bright, curious, fixed entirely on her.

Not calculating.

Not cold.

Not threatening.

Just… focused.

‘He is cute, Artemis said softly in her mind, a note of unmistakable delight coloring her voice.

‘I like him.’

Diana didn’t take her eyes off the wolf. Her body remained tense, weight balanced on the balls of her feet, ready to move at the slightest sign of danger.

‘Artemis, she said under her breath, forcing calm into her voice, ‘we do not know anything about him. We have to be careful.’ Her jaw tightened. ‘Look what happened to our ex-mate.’

The word still tasted bitter, even after all these years.

The wolf in front of her took a single step closer, slow and deliberate, as if he understood caution just as well as she did. His head dipped slightly-not a sign of submission, but not dominance either. An acknowledgment.

‘Our ex-mate was a clueless, cowardly, power-hungry Alpha, Artemis scoffed. ‘Weak where it mattered. Blinded by ambition. Tell me-‘ she pressed, her voice sharp with certainty, ‘does

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Chapter Fourteen

this one look clueless to you?’

+25 Points

Diana studied him more carefully. The wolf’s presence pressed against her senses like a living storm. Power rolled off him in steady waves-ancient, controlled, unyielding. This was not the frantic hunger of an Alpha desperate to prove himself. This was confidence born of knowing exactly who-and what-he was.

‘No,’ Diana admitted quietly.

‘Does he look like a coward?’ Artemis continued.

The wolf lifted his head slightly, meeting Diana’s gaze head-on. There was no fear there. No hesitation. Only patience… and something dangerously close to warmth.

‘No,’ Diana said again.

‘Power hungry?’

Diana’s lips twitched despite herself.

‘No, she murmured. ‘He looks like a big puppy.’

Artemis laughed, a rich, satisfied sound that echoed through Diana’s soul. ‘Exactly.’

As if summoned by her words, the massive black wolf took another step forward. Then another. His movements were careful, almost reverent, like he was approaching something sacred rather than prey.

“Hey-” Diana started, lifting her hand instinctively, unsure whether she was trying to stop

him or reach for him.

Too late.

The wolf closed the final distance, lowered his massive head, and licked her face.

Not a quick, territorial swipe.

A slow, deliberate, unmistakably affectionate lick.

Warm. Gentle.

Intimate.

Diana froze. Her breath hitched, shock rippling through her as the contact sent a spark straight down her spine. Her reservations cracked-not shattered, but softened, like ice beginning to melt under the sun.

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Chapter Fourteen

‘Oh, Artemis purred, utterly pleased. ‘Ohhh. He likes us.’

• 25 Paints

The wolf pulled back just enough to look at her again, tail wagging more enthusiastically now, eyes glowing with unmistakable satisfaction.

Diana swallowed hard.

‘Ooh, Artemis continued, voice dropping into a teasing, scandalously amused tone. ‘He wants to mate with us right here, right now.’

‘What?’ Diana hissed aloud, panic flaring instantly. The image hit her all at once-fur, heat, bond, claiming, surrender. Too fast. Too sudden. Too much. Her heart slammed against her

ribs.

‘Nope,’ Diana said, already stepping back. ‘Absolutely not.’

The wolf tilted his head, clearly confused by her sudden retreat.

Diana didn’t wait to explain, and she turned and ran.

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