The Silver Wolf (Diana and Talon) novel Chapter 142

Chapter One Hundred Forty Two

“As I’ve already said, Rafe began, taking a slow breath as though recalling a painful memory, “my first mate was the former tuna of Crimson Fang.”

His shoulders slumped, and his expression became one of practiced sorrow.

Clam

“Even though Hazel was my fated mate… we could never truly be together. She had already become Luna beside Alpha Asher.”

He lowered his gaze.

“She fulfilled her duty to the pack, and I fulfilled mine as Beta.

Several wolves in the audience nodded sympathetically. Rafe continued.

“Hazel… became jealous of Diana.”

His eyes briefly shifted toward Diana before looking away again.

“She believed Diana was trying to steal Alpha Asher’s attention. And pack members has more respect for Diana than her.”

“Lies,” Artemis growled inside Diana’s mind.

Diana remained perfectly still. Her expression betrayed nothing. She knew exactly what Rafe was doing. He wasn’t lying outright. He was twisting the truth. Taking pieces of reality and weaving them into a story that made him appear innocent. It was dangerous.

Because the best lies were always built around truth. Elder Mirela suddenly raised her hand.

“Wait.”

Everyone looked toward the elderly woman. She narrowed her eyes at Rafe.

“You said Hazel remained your mate.”

“Yes, Elder.”

“And neither of you rejected the bond?”

“No.”

A deep frown settled across Elder Mirela’s face.

“How is that possible?”

Silence fell.

“If Hazel was sharing a mate bond with you while also sharing a bed with Alpha Asher…”

She leaned forward.

“You would have suffered betrayal pain every single time they were intimate.”

Chapter Ope+med Forty Two

Clam

Several older wolves nodded. Everyone knew the agony of betrayal pain. No wolf could endure it for long. Ti destroyed minds. Destroyed wolves. Destroyed lives. Rafe swallowed.

“For the first few months..

He lowered his head.

“It was unbearable. I had to use small amounts of wolfsbane to dull the pain.”

The hall became unusually quiet. Several healers exchanged puzzled looks. The Elders looked at one another. Not convinced.

Elder Mirela slowly shook her head.

“Wolfsbane can numb physical pain.”

Her voice remained calm.

“But betrayal pain…” She paused. “…comes from the soul.”

Another Elder nodded.

“It has never been documented that wolfsbane lessens mate-bond betrayal.”

Rafe forced a smile.

“It worked well enough for me.”

The answer satisfied no one. Diana noticed Elder Garrick quietly making a note on a piece of paper. They weren’t letting that answer go. Not by a long shot. But for now… They let it pass. There were more pressing matters. Elder Garrick folded his arms.

“Former Beta.”

Rafe looked toward him.

“What exactly does your previous mating have to do with why the Alpha King and Luna Queen oppose your current mating to Vanessa?”

Rafe answered immediately.

“Because the Luna Queen was attacked while she was still a warrior in Crimson Fang.”

He sighed heavily.

“The attack was orchestrated by Hazel.”

A murmur spread through the crowd. Everyone knew that much. It had become common knowledge after Diana’s public marking ceremony. Elder Alaric nodded.

“And your involvement?”

“I had none.”

The answer came too quickly.

Chapter Opened Forty Twe

Rafe took another step forward.

“And now…

He slowly turned toward Talon.

“Now that I’ve finally begun rebuilding my life…”

He pointed accusingly.

“You appear again.”

His voice rose.

“You arrive here to destroy everything I’ve managed to rebuild.”

He looked around dramatically.

“Everything I have with Vanessa. And everything I hope to build for Stone Claw.”

Claims

The room fell silent. Even Diana had to admit- His performance was flawless. Inside her mind, Artemis growled.

“His acting is impeccable.”

Diana silently agreed.

“He knows exactly how much emotion to show.”

Artemis snorted..

“Not too much. Not too little. Just enough to make everyone question themselves.”

Diana studied the audience. Some wolves frowned. Some looked uncertain. A few visiting Alphas whispered quietly among themselves. Even Asher looked conflicted. Rafe had once been his closest friend. Once. Diana inhaled slowly.

“He almost sounds believable.”

“He would…” Artemis replied. “… if we hadn’t lived through the truth.”

Across the room, Damon watched Rafe with narrowed eyes.

“He prepared this.”

Willow nodded almost imperceptibly.

“He knew exactly what questions would be asked.”

“He rehearsed every answer.”

Enzo quietly added,

“He wants everyone to see him as another victim.”

Meanwhile, the Elder Council remained silent. None of them interrupted. None of them questioned him.

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Chapter Opened Forty Twe

Clam

They simply listened. Watched. Observed. That made Rafe more confident. He mistook silence for belief. A dangerous mistake. Finally Elder Alaric spoke.

“So…” He folded his hands. “You are saying that despite serving as Beta… You possessed absolutely no authority.”

Rafe nodded immediately.

“None.”

“You simply obeyed Luna Hazel.”

“Yes.”

“You never questioned her orders.”

“No.”

“You never helped her.”

“No.”

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