The Silver Wolf (Diana and Talon) novel Chapter 81

Chapter Eighty One

Talon’s hand rested at the small of Diana’s back as they stood slightly apart from the crowd, the celebration continuing around them-music, laughter, the hum of alliances being strengthened.

But Diana wasn’t listening to any of it.

Her senses were elsewhere.

Sharp.

Restless.

“What is wrong, my Luna?” Talon asked quietly, leaning closer so only she could hear him.

Diana exhaled slowly.

“I don’t know…” she admitted.

Her brows furrowed slightly.

“I just-feel unsettled.”

Talon’s hand tightened slightly on her waist.

“Are the borders secured?” she asked immediately.

Her tone shifted-more alert now.

More Luna than mate.

Talon nodded without hesitation.

“Yes. Patrols have been doubled since dawn.”

His gaze swept briefly across the hall, instinctively checking exits, positions, movement.

“Our warriors are on full alert. No one enters or leaves without clearance.”

Still-

Diana didn’t relax.

“I don’t know why,” she said softly.

Her hand moved to her chest unconsciously.

“It feels like…”

She struggled to find the words.

“…like I missed something.”

Talon frowned slightly.

119

Chapter Eugene

Inside her-

Artemis stirred.

Restless.

Uneasy.

Something is wrong.

“Even Artemis feels it,” Diana continued.

“We can’t pinpoint it, but…”

Her voice lowered.

“I feel like I saw something important…”

Her eyes searched the room briefly.

“…and didn’t notice it.”

Talon turned fully toward her now.

Serious.

Focused.

“What are you missing?” he asked.

Diana shook her head.

“That’s the problem.”

A breath.

“I don’t know.”

Talon studied her for a moment.

Then softened slightly.

“Do not worry too much, my Luna,” he said gently.

“We are safe.”

A pause.

“And even if something happens…”

His voice dropped, steady and absolute.

“We will face it together.”

Diana gave a small nod.

Chem

29

Chapter Eight ene

Trying to push the feeling away.

Trying to trust him.

“Now,” Talon added shifting the moment slightly, “Asher is on his way here with his new Beta.”

“And Damon and Conall should be arriving shortly.”

A small pause.

“And Willow, Enzo, and Leah as well.”

At the mention of Willow-

Something in Diana’s chest tightened again.

But before she could dwell on it-

“Luna Diana.”

Diana turned.

Alpha Asher stood before them.

Tyler just behind him.

There was a quiet pause.

A moment where history lingered.

Then Diana smiled politely.

“Alpha Asher,” she said.

A beat.

“And thank you for attending.”

Asher inclined his head slightly.

“Congratulations on your marking ceremony,” he said.

His tone was respectful.

Measured.

“Thank you,” Diana replied.

Then she tilted her head slightly.

“Is there anything I can help you with?”

Asher hesitated briefly.

Then spoke.

Clam

<Chapter Eighty One

Yes.”

His eyes shifted slightly.

Toward Damon-who had just entered the hall with Conall.

“I was wondering,” Asher continued, his tone tightening just slightly, “why the Rogue King is here.”

Diana blinked.

Then followed his gaze.

“Oh,” she said. “You’ve met King Damon?”

Asher let out a humorless breath.

“Oh, I’ve met him.”

His eyes darkened.

“When he came to my border,” Asher continued, “with his warriors.”

“And demanded I release Rafe to him.”

Diana’s expression shifted.

“What?”

“And when I refused,” Asher added, his jaw tightening, “he had his wolves infiltrate my territory.”

His voice hardened.

“My dungeon.”

Silence fell around them.

“And took him anyway.”

Diana turned sharply toward Damon.

“You did what?”

Damon didn’t flinch.

Didn’t look away.

“Why?” Diana demanded.

Damon’s expression hardened slightly.

“Because he was letting that piece of shit live.”

His voice carried controlled anger.

“The same wolf who helped the she-wolf who killed your parents.”

Clam

49

Chapter Eight ne

His eyes darkened.

The same wolf who had a hand in hurting you.”

A pause.

“I intended to make an example of him.”

His voice lowered.

“For anyone who thinks they can harm the Queen of the Rogues.”

Talon stepped forward immediately.

His aura flaring.

“How many times do I have to tell you,” he said coldly, “my mate is not your queen.”

His voice dropped.

“And now that we are marked-”

His grip on Diana tightened slightly.

“-you will stop this nonsense.”

Before Damon could respond-

“Excuse me.”

Willow’s voice.

Soft.

Controlled.

“I have something to take care of.”

Diana turned quickly.

“Willow?”

For a brief second-

Their eyes met.

And Diana saw it.

Pain.

Deep.

Raw.

Barely hidden.

5.9

2) 69

OVER 4

Jj b

The Alperineal (1/8*/

www www

**

tamen die

<Chapter Esglity Boe

Talon,” he said flatly, “you need to move on.”

A pause.

“What Willow and thad is in the past.”

His gaze flicked briefly to Leah.

“My mate is right here.”

Leah squeezed his hand lightly.

“And I’m still your friend,” Enzo continued.

“Even Willow and Leah are fine.”

A beat.

“You’re the only one holding onto something that’s already over.”

Talon grimaced slightly.

Uncomfortable.

“You had a relationship with Willow?”

Damon’s voice.