The Silver Wolf (Diana and Talon) novel Chapter 140

Chapter One Hundred Forty

“Rafe,” Diana whispered

So they had been right. It really was him. Vanessa’s mate was Rafe. The realization settled heavily in her chest.

Back in Crimson Fang, Rafe had claimed Hazel was his mate. He had mourned her. He had raged over her death. He had sworn vengeance against Diana for what happened to Hazel. And now… He stood beside Vanessa. Ready to become Alpha of Stone Claw.

A second-chance mate. Diana knew they existed. The Goddess occasionally granted them after the death of a fated mate. But something about this felt wrong. Too convenient. Too fast.

Almost as if the Goddess had handed Rafe everything he wanted after losing Hazel. Or perhaps… Diana’s eyes narrowed. Perhaps fate had nothing to do with it. Beside her, Talon’s hand tightened around hers. Fenrir was growling. Artemis wasn’t much calmer.

Across the hall, Vanessa and Rafe walked confidently toward the ceremonial platform. Vanessa wore a victorious smile.

Rafe looked completely at ease. As if he had already won. As if tonight belonged to him. They stopped before the Elder Council.

Vanessa inclined her head respectfully.

“Elders, we are honored by your presence.”

Her voice carried clearly through the silent hall.

“But I wonder why you are here to witness our mating ceremony and our ascension as Alpha and Luna when we never invited the Council.”

She paused dramatically. Then turned toward Talon and Diana.

“I wonder if this is the Alpha King and Luna Queen’s way of sabotaging our mating.”

The words echoed through the hall. Immediately whispers erupted among the guests…

“What does she mean?”

“Why would the Alpha King interfere?”

“Did something happen?”

“Why would the Luna Queen oppose them?”

Diana remained perfectly still. Talon did the same. Neither of them responded. Neither Damon nor Willow moved. Because this was exactly what Vanessa wanted. An argument. A public confrontation. An emotional reaction. Instead, they gave her nothing.

The silence forced the attention back onto the Elders. Elder Alaric leaned forward. His ancient eyes settled on Vanessa.

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Chapter Outmed Forty

What do the Alpha King and Luna Queen have to do with why we are here?”

Vanessa seemed surprised by the question.

“Simple.”

She pointed toward Talon and Diana.

“They oppose my mating because my mate comes from Crimson Fang.”

She moved closer to Rafe.

“They believe he is unworthy of becoming Alpha.”

Murmurs spread again. Rafe lowered his head slightly. Playing the victim. Diana almost rolled her eyes.

Elder Mirela spoke next.

“And why would they believe your mate unworthy?”

Vanessa looked toward Rafe. Rafe immediately stepped forward. His expression shifted. Pain. Regret. Sadness. It was a convincing performance. Very convincing. If Diana didn’t know the truth, she might have believed him.

“My previous mate was Hazel.”

The hall immediately became quieter. Many wolves recognized the name. Hazel’s betrayal had spread through the allied packs.

“She was Luna of Crimson Fang.”

Rafe lowered his eyes.

“And despite being my mate, she was mated to Alpha Asher.”

A few sympathetic looks appeared throughout the room. Rafe continued.

“When her crimes were exposed, everyone assumed I shared responsibility.”

His voice cracked at exactly the right moment.

“Even though I never harmed the Luna Queen.”

Diana clenched her jaw. Liar. The male was a gifted liar.

“I never attacked her.”

Rafe looked toward the Elders.

“I never conspired against her.”

Another pause.

“The Alpha King and Luna Queen have no right to interfere with my mating to Vanessa.”

The room became quiet. The Elders exchanged glances. Then Elder Alaric sighed. A long. Tired.

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Chapter Opended Forty

Disappointed sigh.

“Rafe.”

His voice was calm

“But you are mistaken.”

Rafe’s confident expression faltered slightly.

“We are not here because of the Alpha King or Luna Queen.”

Vanessa frowned.

“What?”

“We are here because of your claim to the title of Alpha.”

Clam

This time the entire hall fell silent. Confusion spread rapidly among the guests. Vanessa looked startled.

“What does that have to do with anything?”

Everything. The Elders’ expressions darkened. Elder Mirela stood.

“The Alpha title passes through blood.”

She looked directly at Vanessa,

“You are Alpha Charles’s daughter.”

Vanessa nodded.

“Then you should become Alpha.”

The hall erupted into whispers. Vanessa looked completely confused. Rafe looked suddenly uncomfortable. The Elder continued.

“Your mate becoming Alpha is an entirely different matter.”

Now several pack leaders began exchanging worried looks. Elder Alaric spoke again.

“The only legal way for an outsider to become Alpha is through challenge.”

His gaze fixed on Rafe.

“A challenge that results in the defeat of the current Alpha.”

Silence. Heavy silence. The Elder’s next words landed like a hammer.

“So tell us.”

His eyes narrowed, looking at Rafe.

“Did you challenge Alpha Charles?”

“No.”

3/5

Chapter Curtains Forty

“Did you defeat him?”

“No.

“Did you kill him?”

“No!”

Rafe answered immediately. Too quickly. Too defensively. Several Elders noticed. So did Talon. So did Damon. Elder Alaric folded his hands.

“Then explain how or why you will become the next Alpha.”

Cha

Neither Vanessa nor Rafe answered immediately. Because for the first time since entering the hall- they didn’t have an answer prepared.

“We were informed,” Elder Mirela continued, “that Alpha Charles and Luna Carla died peacefully in their sleep.”

Vanessa swallowed.

“Yes.”

“Then why,” Elder Alaric asked quietly, “are you his daughter not the one becoming Alpha?”

No answer. The silence became uncomfortable. Then dangerous. The Elder leaned back.

“That is why we are here.”

His gaze swept across the hall.

“To investigate the deaths of Alpha Charles and Luna Carla.”

The room exploded. Shock. Confusion. Fear. No one had expected that. Not even some of the visiting Alphas. Vanessa’s face turned pale. Rafe’s hands clenched into fists. The Elders weren’t finished.

“But since you have introduced another matter…”

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