The Silver Wolf (Diana and Talon) novel Chapter 162

Chapter One Hundred Sixty Two

Claim

Agatha buried her face against his chest. For the first time in weeks, the fear inside her quieted. They had a plan. A future. They would escape together. Lucian pulled back just enough to look at her.

“We leave tomorrow.”

“So soon?”

“The longer we wait, the greater the chance someone will discover us.”

Agatha knew he was right. Lucian glanced around their forest.

“Meet me here tomorrow before sunset. I will bring everything we need.”

“Horses?”

“One. You can ride it.”

He smiled.

“What about you?”

“I can run faster than any horse.”

Agatha laughed softly. For one beautiful moment, everything felt simple. Tomorrow, they would be free. Lucian kissed her forehead.

“I will wait for you here, my love.”

“I will come.”

“Promise me.”

She took his hand.

“I promise.”

Lucian lowered his head and kissed her. The kiss was soft at first, filled with tenderness and hope. Then it deepened, carrying every promise they were not yet brave enough to speak aloud. When they finally separated, neither wanted to leave. But darkness was approaching. They would see one another again tomorrow. And after tomorrow…

They would never have to say goodbye again.

That night, Agatha stood alone inside her bedroom, staring at the small travel bag resting on her bed. She had spent the past hour trying to decide what she could take. Too much would make her disappearance obvious. Too little would leave her unprepared.

She had packed two simple dresses. A warm cloak. Several healing herbs. A small knife. Bread and dried fruit. She had also taken a silver necklace that once belonged to her grandmother. It was the only piece of her old life she wanted to carry into the new one.

Chapter Opemderd Suety Twe

Clam

Agatha picked up another bottle of medicine and carefully wrapped it in cloth. Her hands trembled. By this lime-tomorrow, she would be gone. Her mother would discover the empty room. Her family would learn she had chosen a wolf.

Gideon…

Agatha closed her eyes. The thought of him brought a sharp pain to her chest. She had tried not to think about what her departure would do to him. But now that she stood inside the home where they had grown up together, memories surrounded her.

Gideon bringing her flowers when they were children. Gideon standing between her and older witches who mocked her gentle magic. Gideon teaching her how to control her power. Gideon promising that one day, they would lead their people together.

He had loved her long before their families formally promised them to one another. And once… Agatha had believed she would love him too.

A knock suddenly sounded at the door. Agatha froze. Her eyes flew toward the travel bag. Another knock

followed.

“Agatha?”

Gideon.

Panic surged through her. She quickly closed the bag and pushed it beneath her bed. Then she straightened her dress, wiped at her eyes, and hurried toward the door. When she opened it, Gideon stood on the other side. He wore dark robes, his black hair falling slightly across his forehead. A teasing smile rested on his lips.

“Gideon,” Agatha said, trying to sound calm. “What are you doing here?”

He raised one eyebrow.

“Am I no longer allowed to see my future wife before I go to sleep?”

Her chest tightened.

“No, of course not.”

She stepped aside to let him enter.

“I was simply surprised. I wasn’t expecting you tonight.”

Gideon entered slowly. His gaze moved around the room. For one terrifying moment, Agatha thought he had noticed the disturbed blankets near the bed. But then he looked back at her.

“You have been surprised by me often lately.”

Agatha forced a smile.

“What do you mean?”

Gideon studied her carefully. He had noticed the changes. The way she disappeared for hours. The way she smiled at nothing. The way her attention drifted during council discussions. Something had changed

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Chapter Ope+moked Sorty Two

inside her. He could feel it.

Clam

At times, he could even sense unfamiliar magic lingering around her. Wild. Ancient. Almost like moonlight. But he was afraid to ask

Afraid that if he gave his fear a name, it would become real. He loved Agatha too much to risk hearing that her heart no longer belonged to him.

“Nothing,” he said eventually.

He stepped closer.

“I only wanted to see you.”

Agatha’s guilt deepened. Gideon reached for her face, holding it gently between his hands.

“Agatha…”

His teasing smile disappeared.

“You know I love you, don’t you?”

She could not answer. He continued before she had to.

“I know our families promised us to each other. I know our union is important to the coven. But that is not why I want you.”

His dark eyes searched hers.

“Even if our magic had not chosen the same path… Even if our families had never made an agreement… My heart still would have chosen you.”

Agatha’s eyes filled with tears. Gideon smiled faintly.

“You are not a duty. You are not an obligation. You are the only woman I have ever loved.”

He brushed his thumb across her cheek.

“And the only woman I ever will.”

Every word tore through her. Because he meant them. His sincerity was clear. His love was real. And Agatha could not give him the same love in return. Her heart had chosen Lucian. Her magic had awakened for Lucian. The future she desired belonged to Lucian. Gideon leaned forward until their foreheads almost touched.

“I want to spend my life with you. Not because others expect it. Because there is no life I want that does not have you in it.”

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