The Silver Wolf (Diana and Talon) novel Chapter 25

Chapter Twenty Five

Chem

“Run faster, Fenrir!” Talon snarled inside his own mind, his voice fraying at the edges as raw panic bled through the bond.

The world blurred as Fenrir surged forward, massive paws slamming into the earth with bone-jarring force. Trees became streaks of shadow. The ground cracked beneath them, dirt and stone exploding backward with every stride.

Pain.

Not his.

Hers.

It slammed into Talon’s chest like a blade driven straight through his heart. A sharp gasp tore from him as the bond flared violently-burning, aching, screaming.

‘Diana!’ Talon forced his voice into the mind link, pushing through the chaos, through Fenrir’s rising fury. ‘I’m coming. What happened? How are you hurt?’

The response came strained, clipped, layered with exertion and bloodshed.

‘Rogues.’

‘At least fifteen.’

‘They’re all here.’

‘Can’t talk’

‘Need to focus.

Her pain spiked again-white-hot and Fenrir roared inside Talon’s skull, the sound feral and unrestrained.

‘Diana, shift!’ Talon barked through the bond, Alpha authority crashing through his fear. ‘Do not fight as a human. Shift-now!’

No answer.

Only the unmistakable sensation of steel biting flesh… and Diana pushing through it.

Fenrir pushed harder, faster, muscles burning, lungs drawing in air that tasted like blood and ash. His claws gouged deep furrows into the earth, leaving destruction in his wake.

‘She’s hurt, Fenrir growled, voice thick with near madness. ‘I feel it. Our mate is bleeding.’

“I know,” Talon snapped back, jaw clenched so tightly it ached. “Just get us there.”

Another presence brushed his mind.

‘Alpha, Enzo’s voice cut in, sharp with alarm. ‘What’s happening?’

‘Rogues,’ Talon answered without slowing, fury coiling tight in his chest. They’re attacking Diana.’

14

<Chapter Twenty five

A pause-brief, stunned.

“How?’ Enzo demanded. ‘No alarm was raised. The pack should’ve-‘

‘This pack has a traitor’ Talon growled. ‘And whoever it is, they’re after my mate.’

Fenrir snarled, the sound echoing in Talon’s bones.

‘When I get there,’ Talon continued, voice low and deadly, ‘I don’t know if Fenrir will stop himself. He’s close to losing control. I can feel Diana’s pain every cut, every blow.’

Fenrir’s rage spiked in violent agreement.

‘If any rogue survives,’ Talon added coldly, ‘hold them. We need answers. I want names.

‘Yes, Alpha, Enzo said immediately. ‘You’ll reach her first. We can’t match your speed.’

‘We?’ Talon echoed grimly.

‘Alpha Asher has been informed. He’s on my tail.

Talon’s lips peeled back in a snarl. ‘I’ll deal with his failure to protect his pack later.’

He severed the link.

The scent hit them before the cabin came into view.

Blood.

Death.

Rogue decay.

Fenrir burst through the tree line and Talon’s heart nearly stopped.

Chem

The clearing around Diana’s cabin was a battlefield. Seven rogue bodies lay scattered across the ground, twisted and broken, their blood soaking into the earth at her feet. In the center stood Diana. Eight rogues remained, circling her like vultures, teeth bared, eyes wild. They were trying to close in, testing her defenses, waiting for the moment she faltered.

His mate.

She hadn’t shifted. Each of her hands gripped a sword, blades slick with blood, her stance wide and unyielding despite the tremor in her muscles. Cuts lined her arms. Blood soaked through her clothes. Her chest rose and fell too fast-too shallow.

She was at her limit.

Rage unlike anything Talon had ever known detonated inside him. Fenrir threw his head back and unleashed a roar that shook the forest, a sound so powerful it froze every rogue in place.

Eight heads snapped toward them.

Eight pairs of eyes widened.

2/4

< Chapter Twenty five

Clam

How dare they touch our mate, Fenrir snarled, his voice vibrating with murderous intent. ‘I will rip them apart-limb from limb. I will paint the ground with thern.’

“Fenrir,” Talon forced out through clenched teeth, fighting to anchor his wolf, “we need some of them alive.

A savage, almost amused huff echoed in his mind. ‘Losing a limb won’t kill them.’

And then he leapt, a force of vengeance unleashed straight toward the rogues who dared bleed his Luna.

Why are they after Diana? The question cut through Talon’s mind with chilling precision, even as blood and chaos exploded around him.

This wasn’t rogues wandering too close to pack borders.

This was targeted.

The realization settled like ice in his veins.

Is it because of me? The thought came unbidden and once it took root, it refused to be silenced.

Rogues did not attack cabins tucked away from the main pack unless they knew exactly who lived there. They didn’t bypass patrol routes, avoid alarms, and strike with this level of coordination unless someone had pointed the way. Someone had given them information. Timing. Location.

And most importantly-a name.

His mate’s name.

Only a couple of people knew that Diana is his mate. Only two. And if proved one of them did this, they will know first hand why he is the Alpha King.

Alpha Asher.

Luna Hazel.

That was it.

The knowledge made his blood turn cold even as Fenrir’s rage burned hot.

Who, Talon wondered darkly, is stupid enough to make an enemy of me?

Who would dare to strike at his mate while he was here-on their land, under their supposed protection?

That wasn’t desperation.

That was arrogance, or worse-confidence.

Someone believed Talon wouldn’t reach her in time.

Someone believed Fenrir could be controlled.

Contained.

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