The Silver Wolf (Diana and Talon) novel Chapter 121

Chapter One Hundred Twenty One

Willow’s brows pulled together, confusion and disbelief written plainly across her face.

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“How can Vanessa do this?” she said, her voice tight with emotion. “I know her. She’s… a bitch, yes-but she loves her parents. They spoiled her. Gave her everything. She adored them.” Her words lingered in the room, heavy with contradiction.

Diana leaned forward slightly despite Talon’s quiet protest.

“What are you saying?” she asked carefully. “That Vanessa doesn’t know what really happened to them?”

Willow hesitated. “I’m saying…” she exhaled slowly, “…it’s possible she doesn’t.” A pause. “Or worse… she truly believes it was natural.”

Damon’s gaze sharpened slightly. “You think she’s being manipulated.”

Willow shrugged faintly. “Or she’s just not questioning anything,” she said bluntly. “Vanessa has never been the sharpest tool in the shed. If someone she trusts-like her mate-is telling her a story, she might not even think to doubt it.”

Silence settled again. Uncomfortable. Because that possibility was just as dangerous. Diana’s eyes darkened.

“Which makes her either a victim… or part of the problem.”

“Or both,” Conall muttered.

Willow looked back at Diana.

“Did you ever confirm if Rafe is really her mate?”

Diana shook her head slowly. “No,” she admitted. “Enzo tried to find out, but nothing was confirmed.” A pause. “But all signs point to him.”

Her tone hardened. “There’s no one else who has a reason to target me like this.”

Her fingers curled slightly.

“I never left Crimson Fang before I met Talon.”

Her voice dropped lower.

“And Rafe… and Hazel… they were the only ones who tried to kill me back then.”

The room went still again. Because that wasn’t a coincidence. That was history repeating itself.

Damon stepped forward slightly, his expression thoughtful now-strategic.

“I think this is exactly what Rafe wants,” he said.

All eyes shifted to him.

“To keep you in the dark,” he continued. “To make sure you don’t know who your real enemy is.” A pause.”

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<Chapter Opermired Twenty One

Clains

And because you and Talon are the Alpha King and Luna Queen…” His gaze moved between them. “…you. Don’t have the luxury of ignoring this.”

Diana’s lips pressed into a thin line.

“The invitation,” she murmured.

Damon nodded. “They knew you couldn’t refuse it,” he said. “If you decline, your allied pack will not take it lightly.” A beat.

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“and without you there, they can control the narrative.”

Talon’s aura flickered slightly-controlled, but there. “So they force us to walk into their territory,” he said quietly.

“Yes,” Damon replied. “On their terms.”

Another silence.

“He’s setting a trap,” Diana said.

“Yes,” Talon agreed.

“And we’re expected to walk right into it.”

Willow crossed her arms, her expression tense.

“So what do we do?”

Diana turned to Talon.

“We need to leave,” she said firmly. “Soon.”

Her voice carried urgency now.

“We need to return to the Royal Pack and prepare before heading to Stone Claw. We do not a choice but to attend their ceremony.”

Talon didn’t immediately respond. Because he was already shaking his head.

“No.”

Diana frowned.

“Talon-”

“No,” he repeated, firmer this time. “I am not risking you again.”

His voice dropped slightly, but the intensity remained.

“You’re still recovering. You cannot shift. If we’re attacked again on the road-like we were before…”

He didn’t finish the sentence. He didn’t need to.

“We won’t survive it,” he said quietly.

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<Chapter Opered Twenty One

Diana held his gaze. Frustration flickered-but so did understanding.

“Then what do you suggest?” she asked. “Their ceremony is in a week. We don’t have time to waste.”

That’s when Damon spoke again.

“Stay.”

All eyes turned to him.

“You both can stay here,” he continued. “Recover. Regain your strength.” A pause. “Then travel to Stone Claw from here.”

Willow blinked slightly. Diana studied him.

“You’re offering us to stay… here?”

Damon nodded once.

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“If all you need is preparation, you can do it here,” he said. “Clothes, supplies-Willow can help you with everything.”

He glanced briefly at Willow, then back at Talon and Diana.

“Your Beta and guards can meet you directly at Stone Claw.”

Talon didn’t answer right away. Because this- this wasn’t the Damon he had dealt with before. This was different. Measured. Considerate. Suspiciously reasonable.

“Are you sure?” Diana asked carefully.

Damon met her gaze.

“You’re my mate’s family,” he said simply. That alone carried weight. “You’re welcome here.” A pause. “I know I didn’t give you a good impression.”

That was an understatement.

“I know I was disrespectful,” Damon continued. “To both of you.” His jaw tightened slightly. “But that changes now.”

His gaze shifted briefly to Willow-then back.

“I want Willow to be happy here.” A beat. “And that means her family needs to feel welcome here too.”

The sincerity in his voice was hard to ignore.

“I don’t expect you to trust me,” he added. “Not yet. But I’m trying to do better.”

That hung in the air. Unexpected. Uncomfortable. Real. Talon narrowed his eyes slightly.

“Why the sudden change?”

Damon didn’t hesitate. “Because Diana was right.” That alone made Diana raise an eyebrow.

“I was being a disrespectful bastard,” Damon admitted plainly. A pause.

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Chapter Opendred Twenty One

“And if my inother were alive…” His voice softened slightly. “She’d be disappointed in me.” Another breath.

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