The Silver Wolf (Diana and Talon) novel Chapter 76

Chapter Seventy Six

“If you’ll follow me, Rogue King, I will guide you to your suite,” Willow said.

Her voice was polite.

Controlled.

Too controlled.

She didn’t look at Diana as she spoke. She couldn’t. Because if she did, she knew Diana would see it-the storm she was trying so hard to keep buried. The confusion. The hurt. The betrayal she didn’t even know how to name yet.

So she turned instead.

Focused on the task.

On the role.

On anything but what she was feeling.

Damon watched her with quiet interest, but Willow refused to meet his gaze.

“After you,” he said simply.

Conall glanced at his king.

Something had changed.

It was subtle.

So subtle that if he hadn’t known Damon for years, he might have missed it entirely.

But something had shifted.

And Conall didn’t like that he didn’t know what it was.

Willow walked ahead of them through the corridors, her pace brisk-almost sharp.

“This way,” she said, gesturing lightly. “The dining hall is on the first floor, east wing. The training grounds are accessible through the back courtyard.”

Her tone was informative.

Efficient.

Distant.

She didn’t slow down.

Didn’t look back.

Chapte

All she wanted was to finish this.

To get away.

To breathe.

“Are you in a hurry?”

Conall’s voice broke the silence.

Willow stopped abruptly.

Turned.

Looked at him.

And smiled.

But it wasn’t a kind smile.

“As a matter of fact,” she said, her voice laced with sarcasm, “I am.”

Her eyes flickered briefly to Damon.

“I do have other responsibilities… aside from guiding two rogues around my pack.”

A beat.

“And one of them is trying to take our Luna for himself.”

The words were sharp.

Deliberate.

Conall’s lips twitched slightly.

“Yes,” he said. “My king is here to claim his mate.”

His voice carried quiet certainty.

“And he will do whatever it takes for our queen to choose him.”

Willow’s chest tightened.

For a split second-

Just a split second-

Pain flashed across her eyes.

So fast it could have been imagined.

But Conall saw it.

271

And a made something in him pause

“Yeart Willow said.

Her voice dropped

Colder.

“He’ll do anything to make his mate choose him.”

She turned away again.

“Good luck with that. Rogue King.”

Her words carried venom now.

Then she continued walking.

Faster.

Conall opened his mouth to respond-

But Damon’s voice cut through his mind.

“Conall. That is enough.”

A pause.

“Do not provoke her.”

Conall frowned slightly but obeyed.

Something was happening.

Something he didn’t understand.

And for once-

Damon didn’t seem eager to explain.

A few minutes later, they reached the guest wing.

Willow stopped in front of a large door and gestured toward it.

“This will be your suite.”

Her voice returned to neutral.

Controlled.

“As my brother said, you are not allowed to move freely within the pack without escort.”

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She stepped slightly aside.

“If you need anything, inform an omega.”

Damon inclined his head slightly.

“Thank you.”

Conall added, “Yes. Thank you for your… warm hospitality.”

Willow’s eyes snapped to him.

“You know,” she said flatly, “for a Beta, you behave like a pup.”

Conall blinked.

“You complain. You provoke. You test limits.”

Her lips pressed together.

“You’re lucky Diana is already mated to my brother.”

Her gaze hardened.

“Because if she weren’t…

She tilted her head slightly.

“You would be the first thing she fixed in your pack.”

Damon chuckled softly.

Low.

Amused.

“Please forgive my Beta,” he said gently. “He is simply… frustrated.”

His gaze lingered on Willow.

“Diana has made it clear she does not wish to be mine. But she is my chosen mate.”

There was something softer in his tone now.

Something quieter.

He stepped forward-

Almost without realizing it.

But the moment he did-

Willow stepped back.

The movement was immediate.

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Instinctive

Like she had touched fire.

Damon stilled.

For the first time-

Something flickered in his expression.

Recognition.

Confusion.

Something deeper.

Willow straightened.

Rebuilt her composure.

“As I said,” she repeated, her voice firm again, “inform an omega if you need anything.”

She didn’t look at him again.

“If you require someone to guide you around the pack, they will contact me.”

A pause.

“Goodbye.”

Then she turned.

And left.

The door closed behind her.

Silence filled the suite.

Conall turned immediately.

“What is her problem?” he muttered.

He crossed his arms.

“Yes, we are rogues-but her brother allowed us here.”

He frowned.

“Can she not show basic courtesy?”

Damon didn’t answer right away.

He stood still

Looking at the closed door.

Feeling something antaminar-settle in his chest

Then-

“She is my mate.”

Conall froze.

“What?”

Damon’s gaze didn’t move.

1 said,” he repeated quietly, she is my mate.”

Inside his mind, Cerberus stirred.

“We found her… while chasing another.”

There was something different in his wolf’s voice now.

Less arrogance.

More… weight

” felt her” Damon said under his breath.

Her wolf.”

His jaw tightened slightly.

“When she first scented us…. there was joy

A pause.

Then pain.”

Cerberus growled softly.

“She knew.”

“She knew exactly who we were, that we are here for Diana” Cerberus finished

“Diana is not our queen,” Damon said suddenly.

“She did not choose us.”

Cerberus shifted.

Restless.

“We can still try.”

Damon closed his eyes briefly.

“Can we?”

His voice was quieter now.

More human.

“Can we stand in front of our mate…”

His hand clenched slightly.

“…and pursue another?”

Silence.

“Even if Diana agreed,” Damon continued, “could you mark her?”

A beat.

“Knowing Willow is ours?”

Cerberus didn’t answer.

Not right away.

“Our pack needs Diana,” Cerberus finally said.

But there was no fire in it now.

“She is the Silver Wolf.”

“The one who can unite all wolves.”

Damon opened his eyes.

“And what about us?”

Silence.

Heavy.

Unanswered.

For the first time-

The path ahead wasn’t clear.

Chapter Severity bus

Meanwhite-

Willow didn’t stop walking until she reached her room.

Just down the corridor,

Too close.

Too close to them.

Her hands trembled as she pushed the door open:

Then closed it behind her.

And the moment it shut-

She broke.

Her knees gave slightly as she leaned against the door, her breath hitching.

Tears fell before she could stop them.

Fast.

Hot.

Uncontrollable.

Inside her mind-

Winter curled into herself.

Tight.

Protective.

Hurting.

Their mate.

Their mate.

Wanted someone else.

Not just anyone.

Diana.

Her Luna.

Her friend.

Strong.

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