The Silver Wolf (Diana and Talon) novel Chapter 123

Chapter One Hundred Twenty Three

Willow did not speak right away. She couldn’t.

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For days, every conversation with Damon had felt like a battle. But this time, his words did something different. They settled. Not easily. Not painlessly. But somewhere deep enough that she could not ignore them.

He was still holding her face gently, as if she were something precious enough to break beneath his hands. His thumbs rested against her cheeks, not moving, not trying to pull more from her than she was ready to give.

And that, more than anything, made her chest ache. Because Damon had taken so many things from her. Her choice. Her goodbye. Her peace. But right now, standing before her, he was not taking. He was waiting. Willow swallowed, her throat tight.

“You should have said that first,” she whispered.

Damon’s eyes softened with regret.

“I know.”

“You always say the wrong thing before saying the right thing.”

A faint, humorless breath escaped him.

“I know that too.”

Behind them, Talon crossed his arms, still glaring, still looking like he wanted to throw Damon through the wall again. Diana, seated nearby and still too pale for anyone’s comfort, watched quietly, her expression thoughtful.

Willow pulled away slowly from Damon’s hands. He let her. That alone mattered. She wrapped her arms around herself, not because she was cold, but because she needed something to hold onto.

“You hurt me,” she said.

Damon’s jaw tightened.

“Yes.”

“You made me feel like I was something you settled for.”

His eyes closed briefly, pain crossing his face.

“I know.”

“No.” Willow shook her head, her voice trembling now despite her effort to keep it steady. “I don’t think you do.”

Damon opened his eyes again.

Willow looked straight at him.

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(Chapter Operandied Twenty Three

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You wanted Diana, Everyone saw it. Everyone heard it. I stood there beside you, feeling the bond between us, fecting Winter cry inside me, while you called another female your queen.”

Damon flinched. This time, he did not look away.

“You looked at her,” Willow continued, “the way I wanted my mate to look at me.”

The room went painfully still. Even Talon’s anger quieted.

“You don’t know what that did to me,” she said softly. “You don’t know what it felt like to pray for a mate my whole life, only to finally find him and realize he wished I was someone else.”

Damon’s face tightened as if every word struck him.

“And then I was attacked,” Willow continued. “And suddenly you wanted me. Suddenly I mattered. But how was I supposed to believe that, Damon?” Her voice cracked.

“How was I supposed to believe you chose me when you only claimed me because I was dying?”

Damon took one step closer, but stopped himself before reaching for her.

“You weren’t wrong to think that,” he said quietly.

Willow blinked.

“I gave you every reason to believe that,” he continued. “I cannot erase that. I cannot stand here and tell you that you misunderstood, because you didn’t. I acted like a fool. Worse than a fool.”

His eyes flicked briefly to Diana, then back to Willow.

“I was obsessed with a prophecy. With what I thought my pack needed. I convinced myself that Diana had to be the answer because I had spent years looking for the Silver Wolf. I thought if I found her, I would fulfill the promise I made to my parents.”

His voice roughened.

“But the Goddess gave me you. And I was too blind, too arrogant, too trapped inside my own ambition to understand that maybe you were the answer I was supposed to receive.”

Willow’s breath caught slightly.

Damon continued, quieter now.

“I do not deserve your forgiveness today. Or tomorrow. Maybe not for a long time. But I meant what I said. There will be no ceremony until you want it. No announcement until you are ready. No mark from you until it is your choice.”

His gaze held hers.

“And if that day never comes, I will still spend my life trying to become worthy of it.”

Willow looked away because the words were too much. Too honest. Too painful. Too tempting.

Winter stirred inside her, no longer bouncing with blind happiness, but listening. Calm. Hopeful.

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<Chapter Opetmaked Twenty Three “He means it,” Winter whispered.

Willow closed her eyes briefly.

“I know.”

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And that was the problem. Because it would have been easier if he were lying. It would have been easier if Damon remained the arrogant male who took and demanded and expected forgiveness because fate made them mates.

But this Damon… This Damon was harder to hate. Talon cleared his throat. The sound was rough, and when everyone looked at him, his expression was still thunderous.

“I still don’t like you.”

Damon turned slightly toward him.

“I know.”

“I still don’t trust you.”

“I know that too.”

“And if you hurt her again-”

“Talon,” Diana warned softly.

“No,” Damon said, stopping Diana gently. His eyes remained on Talon. “Let him say it.”

Talon’s gaze sharpened.

“If you hurt my sister again, I will not care about alliances. I will not care about kingdoms. I will not care if Diana, Willow, or the Goddess herself tells me to stop. I will tear through this pack and make sure there is nothing left of you for anyone to bury.”

The room went silent. Damon did not smile. Did not challenge. Did not defend. He simply nodded.

“I understand.”

Talon studied him, as if searching for arrogance, mockery, or pride. He found none. That only seemed to irritate him more.

Diana sighed softly from where she sat. “You two are exhausting.”

Willow let out a weak laugh despite herself. The sound surprised everyone, including her. Damon looked at her like the small laugh was a gift. Talon noticed. His expression tightened again, but this time there was something conflicted behind it. He didn’t like Damon. He didn’t trust Damon. But he could see the way the Rogue King looked at his sister now. Not like a prize. Not like a political advantage. Like a male terrified of losing what he had nearly destroyed.

Diana pushed herself carefully to her feet.

Talon immediately turned toward her.

“You should not be standing.”

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Chapter Ogemdied Twenty T

I’m fine.”

“You were poisoned.”

“And now I am standing.

“You are impossible.”

“And you love me.”

Talon’s jaw clenched.

Clam

“That is not the point.”

Diana ignored him and looked at Willow.

“Choice is important,” she said gently. “Especially when it was taken from you before.”

Willow nodded slowly. Diana’s gaze moved to Damon.

“And you,” she said, her voice sharpening just enough to make him straighten, “will remember that every day.”

“I will,” Damon answered.

“No,” Diana said. “You will do more than remember. You will prove it. Not by dramatic speeches. Not by grand gestures. Not by making decisions for her and calling it protection.”

Damon bowed his head slightly.

“Understood.”

Diana’s lips pressed together as if she still wanted to scold him more, but her body swayed faintly. Talon caught it instantly. His hand went to her waist.

“That’s enough,” he said firmly.

Diana opened her mouth.

“No,” Talon said before she could argue. “You have lectured two kings today. Your work.is done.”

Willow smiled again, this time softer. Diana huffed but did not fight him when he guided her back to the chair. Damon looked toward the door, then back at them.

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