The Silver Wolf (Diana and Talon) novel Chapter 24

Chapter Twenty fout

Chapter Twenty Four

Back at the pack house, Taton strode through the massive double doors without slowing, his presence commanding the space the moment he entered.

By now, every wolf in the Crimson Fang Pack knew who he was.

The Alpha King.

Even the way the air shifted around him was different-heavier, charged with authority older than any single pack. Conversations died mid-sentence. Warriors straightened instinctively. Omegas lowered their gazes. Even seasoned elders felt the subtle pressure of his power settle over their shoulders.

Talon paid none of them any mind. He had no patience for ceremony. No tolerance for posturing.

What he did not expect-what irritated him immediately-was her.

“Talon, you’re back.”

The voice slid through the hall like silk wrapped around a blade-soft, deliberate, calculated to draw

attention.

Talon halted mid-step, irritation flaring before he even turned.

Luna Hazel Feywin stood near the central hearth, dressed far too carefully for the hour. Her gown clung where it should not. Her hair was loose, cascading over her shoulders in deliberate invitation. Her lips curved into a smile that was meant to suggest familiarity-intimacy she did not possess.

Does Alpha Asher truly not care how his Luna conducts herself? Talon thought.

The question lingered, heavy and uncomfortable, because the answer seemed to reveal far more than negligence. Hazel’s behavior was not subtle. It was not a single misstep that could be brushed aside as nerves or insecurity. It was repeated, public, and reckless-an open display of ambition and impropriety that reflected not only on her, but on the Alpha who allowed it.

Even if their bond was a mating by choice-one born of convenience, desperation, or regret rather than fate, it was still his responsibility.

A chosen Luna was not exempt from discipline. If anything, she required clearer boundaries.

Asher might regret choosing Hazel. He might resent the decision, wish it undone, or silently curse the consequences of rejecting his true mate. But regret did not absolve him of duty. An Alpha did not have the luxury of turning away simply because a choice no longer pleased him.

Leadership demanded control, and control began at home.

A Luna’s conduct set the tone for the entire pack. Her words, her posture, her restraint or lack of it were watched, mimicked, judged. When Hazel flirted openly, when she overstepped, when she embarrassed the pack by disrespecting hierarchy, it was not merely her failing.

It was Asher’s. By allowing her behavior to continue unchecked, he sent a message-whether he intended to or not. That rules bent for her. That hierarchy could be ignored. That power could be wielded without restraint or dignity.

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An Alpha who could not command his own Lunarisked losing the respect of his warriors. And a pack that sensed weakness at its core would eventually fracture.

Whether Asher cared or not no longer mattered. What mattered was that every wolf could see the truth plainly now:

A Luna out of control…

And an Alpha who had stopped trying to rein her in.

“Where have you been?” Hazel continued, stepping closer. “I didn’t see you after what happened in the clearing. I was waiting for you.”

The room went unnaturally still. Pack members exchanged glances-sharp, incredulous, uncomfortable. Warriors stiffened. Even a few elders frowned openly.

A Luna did not behave like this.

Not in public.

Not toward the Alpha King.

Hazel either did not notice or did not care.

Talon turned slowly, his eyes glacial. “Luna,”

The single word cut sharper than a growl.

“Where I’ve been does not concern you,” he continued, Voice calm but edged with unmistakable warning.” And you will address me properly. I am the Alpha King. We have no relationship-formal or otherwise-that grants you the right to speak to me so casually.”

Silence slammed into the hall.

Hazel’s smile shattered. Color flooded her face-red, then blotchy with humiliation. Her eyes burned, fury flashing through the practiced mask,

“Alpha,” she snapped, her tone no longer soft. “I am the Luna of this pack. I do not appreciate being humiliated in front of my people.”

“As you said,” Talon’s gaze hardened, and he replied evenly, “you are the Luna. Just the Luna.”

A sharp intake of breath rippled through the room.

“And I,” he continued, his voice dropping into something far more dangerous, “am the Alpha King. Do not mistake my restraint for weakness. I respect hierarchy, but I stand above it. Test that again, and I will remind you of the difference.”

Hazel’s fists clenched at her sides, her fury barely contained, but she said nothing.

Talon did not wait for a response. He turned and walked away, every step deliberate, the weight of his authority trailing behind him like a shadow.

He went straight to the wing assigned to him and his beta, pushing open the door to Enzo’s quarters without knocking.

25

Chapter Twenty-four

“Alpha,” Enzo greeted immediately, rising. “How is our Luna Queen?”

“She remains in her cabin,” Talon replied. “Resting. I’ve kept all unnecessary contact away from her.”

“Now,” he exhaled once. “Twant to discuss what you mentioned last night. And I need you to look into something for my Luna.”

Enzo’s expression sharpened. “What is it?”

Talon recounted Diana’s words-the memory of her parents’ deaths, the inconsistencies, the instinct that told her something had been wrong. As he spoke, Enzo’s jaw tightened, eyes darkening with recognition.

“My report is connected to that,” Enzo said grimly. “The rogue attack and what happened to the Luna’s parents.”

Talon stilled. “Explain.”

“I tracked down a couple-low-ranking pack members who survived the attack. They swear Diana’s parents were in the bunker when the assault began. They know this because they arrived together.”

Talon’s hands curled into fists.

“Then,” Enzo continued, “a warrior called them away. When they questioned it, they overheard something else.”

Talon’s voice dropped. “What?”

“They heard Luna Hazel calling for Diana’s parents.”

The room seemed to tilt.

“The next thing they knew,” Enzo said quietly, “both were dead.”

Talon’s control strained dangerously.

“Why didn’t they tell anyone?” He asked, voice tight.

“I asked them the same thing,” Enzo said. “They couldn’t answer-only that they couldn’t. Something compelled them to stay silent. I tested it.”

“How?”

“I used my beta command.” Enzo met Talon’s gaze steadily. “It worked.”

Only one order could override a beta’s command.

“The Alpha,” Talon said darkly.

“Yes,” Enzo confirmed. “Aside from you, he’s the only one whose authority I cannot break.”

Meaning, it was not the Alpha who ordered their silence. It was someone else.

Talon exhaled slowly, fury coiling cold and lethal in his chest.

Before he could speak-

3.5

Chopter Twenty faul

Pain exploded through his right ribs.

Sharp. Blinding. Sudden.

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