The Silver Wolf (Diana and Talon) novel Chapter 216

Chapter Two Hundred Sixteen

Chapter Two Hundred Sixteen

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Ravenna slowly reached beneath the collar of her dress. Her trembling fingers closed around a small silver chain hidden against her skin. For a moment… She simply held it. Her tears

continued to fall as memories flooded her heart.

The tiny charm hanging from the chain was no larger than the tip of her thumb. It was shaped like a crescent moon embracing a smaller star, the symbol of a parent protecting their child. Fine white runes were carved into its surface, glowing softly beneath her fingertips.

She had made it herself. Months ago. Long before Thorne had completely fallen to the curse. Back then… The nightmares had only just begun. He would wake in the middle of the night soaked in sweat, breathing heavily, unable to remember what he had seen.

Sometimes he would unknowingly whisper another woman’s name. Sometimes he would

stare into the darkness for hours.

Sometimes… He would simply hold her tighter, as though afraid she would disappear.

That was when Ravenna first realized something was wrong. Then… She discovered she was

carrying their child. It should have been the happiest day of her life.

Instead… It became the day she feared losing everything. She had secretly forged this charm. A Father’s Charm. Not a weapon.

Not a spell meant for battle. It had only one purpose. To protect a father’s love from any darkness that sought to corrupt it.

Every night while Thorne slept peacefully beside her, she had poured tiny pieces of her white magic into it.

Not only her magic… But her emotions. Every laugh they shared. Every dream they whispered beneath the stars. Every hope she had for the family they were building together. Every ounce of love she carried for both father and child.

Everything… She placed inside the charm. Like the Blade of Healing… It was crafted entirely from pure white magic.

Not magic born from power. But magic born from unconditional love.

Ravenna slowly lifted the silver chain. Her fingers shook so badly she almost dropped it. With one hand still holding the glowing Blade of Healing embedded in his chest… She carefully placed the chain around his neck.

Chapter Two Hundred Sixteen

The instant the charm touched his skin… It began glowing.

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A warm golden light spread across his chest. Unlike the Blade of Healing… The charm did not attack the darkness.

It simply reminded the soul… Of everything worth protecting. Ravenna rested her forehead against his.

“Feel it…”

she whispered.

“Feel my love.”

Her tears landed on the charm.

“Feel our child. I poured everything into this. My love… Our son’s love… Our future…”

Her voice broke.

“You have so much more to hold onto than a hatred that was never yours.”

She gently squeezed his hand.

“The pain… The rage… The revenge… None of it belongs to you. It belongs to Gideon. But this…”

She touched the charm resting over his heart.

“This belongs to you. Our love belongs to you. Our family belongs to you. Our son belongs to you. Fight, Thorne. Fight the darkness. Choose us. Please… Choose to stay with me.”

The charm glowed even brighter. The black smoke pouring from Thorne’s body hissed violently. It tried wrapping itself around the necklace.

Every attempt failed. The white light simply burned it away. Still… Ravenna knew it wasn’t enough. The curse was weakening. But it was still holding onto him.

Then… She made a decision. One she wasn’t certain was safe. Slowly… She reached for Thorne’s trembling hand.

His fingers were ice cold. She intertwined them with hers. Then… Very gently… She guided his hand toward her swollen stomach.

The moment his palm rested against her belly… Time seemed to stop. Everyone watched. Even Diana forgot to breathe.

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Then… A tiny movement. Their son kicked. A small… Gentle… Powerful kick. Thorne’s entire body froze. Another kick followed.

His fingers instinctively spread across Ravenna’s stomach. His eyes widened.

His lips trembled. Ravenna smiled through her tears.

“Did you feel that?”

Her voice barely rose above a whisper.

“That…”

She placed her own hand over his.

“…is our son.”

Another kick.

“He knows you’re here.”

Another kick.

“He’s waiting for you.”

Her tears fell onto his hand.

“He’s been waiting for his father. He doesn’t know hatred. He doesn’t know revenge. He only knows… that his father is supposed to love him. Please… Choose him. Choose us.”

The world fell silent. Thorne stared at his own hand resting over Ravenna’s stomach. Inside… Something shattered.

Not painfully.

Beautifully.

Fragments of memories flooded back.

Promising never to leave her. Kissing her forehead. Calling her…

“My heart.”

The darkness screamed.

SHE IS LYING!

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Chapter Two Hundred Sixteen

YOU HAVE NO CHILD!

AGATHA-

“No…”

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Thorne whispered. The voice wasn’t directed at Ravenna. It was directed… At the darkness.

“No…”

Black smoke violently burst from every part of his body. The curse shrieked.

SHE BETRAYED YOU!

“No…”

His voice became stronger.

“That wasn’t my life.”

More smoke erupted.

“I remember…”

Tears rolled down his face.

“I remember…”

He slowly lifted trembling eyes toward Ravenna. Recognition. Real recognition. Not confusion. Not hatred.

Love.

“…Ravenna…” he whispered.

The moment she heard her name spoken by the man she loved… Ravenna completely broke. Fresh tears streamed endlessly down her face.

“My love…”

Thorne slowly reached upward. His trembling hand cupped her cheek exactly as he had done countless times before.

“I’m…”

He struggled to breathe.

“So…”

Chapter Two Hundred Sixteen

“…sorry…”

His eyes drifted toward her stomach.

“Our…”

His lips quivered.

“…son…”

Ravenna nodded desperately.

“Yes. Our son.”

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Thorne smiled weakly. The first genuine smile in what felt like an eternity. Then… His eyes closed. His entire body went limp. He collapsed directly into Ravenna’s arms.

“Thorne!”

Ravenna cried out, falling to her knees beneath his weight.

“No! Please… Please don’t leave me!”

She desperately cradled his face.

“Look at me! Open your eyes! Please… I just got you back!”

Fresh panic consumed her. Her hands searched frantically for the wound.

“The blade…”

Her breathing became erratic.

“Did I… Did I push it too deep?”

Her voice broke.

“No… No… What have I done? Please… Please don’t die… I didn’t save you just to lose you. My love… Our son still needs you. I still need you.”

Nearby…

Diana watched the heartbreaking scene with tears filling her own eyes.

“Is he…”

She couldn’t finish the question. Artemis quietly answered from within their shared bond.

“No. He’s alive. Barely.”

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Diana closed her eyes in relief.

“But…”

Artemis continued.

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“I can’t feel Gideon’s darkness anymore. It is completely gone. The curse… is gone from him.”