The Silver Wolf (Diana and Talon) novel Chapter 173

Chapter One+ndied Seventy Three

Chapter One Hundred Seventy Three

Claim

Lucian left the cottage and returned to the forest. He followed Gideon’s scent as far as he could, but the witch had used magic to hide his trail. After hours of searching, Lucian understood what he had to do. He turned toward the territory of his former pack.

Lucian ran without stopping.

By the time he reached the border, night had fallen. The guards recognized his silver wolf immediately. Shock spread through the patrol.

“Lucian?”

He did not slow.

“Call your Alpha.”

The guards exchanged nervous looks.

“You abandoned the pack.”

“I said call him.”

The force of Lucian’s command dropped both wolves to their knees. They had never heard that power from him before. Not even when he had been heir.

One of the guards shifted and hurried toward the pack house. Lucian followed. Word of his return spread quickly. Pack members emerged from their homes and gathered along the path. Some stared in disbelief. Others whispered. Many had believed Lucian dead.

Their future Alpha had disappeared months earlier without explanation.

Now he returned alone, naked, covered in dirt, with murder in his eyes. The current Alpha waited outside the pack house.

He was Lucian’s uncle, a strong but aging wolf who had assumed Lucian would inherit leadership peacefully after several more years. His expression hardened when Lucian approached.

“You dare return after abandoning your pack?”

Lucian shifted back into human form.

“I challenge you for the position of Alpha.”

Silence fell. The older Alpha stared at him.

“You disappeared without explanation. You gave up your claim.”

“I am taking it back.”

The Alpha’s wolf rose in his eyes.

“You believe you can walk into my territory after seven months and demand everything?”

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Chapter Opendred Seventy Three

am not demanding it.”

Lucian stepped into the challenge circle.

“I am fighting for it.”

The pack gathered around them. The Alpha removed his cloak and entered the circle.

“What has happened to you?”

“My mate was taken.”

Confusion crossed the Alpha’s face.

“Your mate?”

“A witch stole her.”

Murmurs erupted. Lucian ignored them.

“I need the pack.”

“You abandoned the pack for a woman?”

Lucian’s expression turned deadly.

“I abandoned the position. I did not abandon my blood.”

“You mated without approval?”

“My mate does not require your approval.”

The Alpha studied him.

“Who is she?”

Lucian remained silent. The Alpha’s eyes narrowed.

“She is a witch.”

The whispers grew louder.

“You mated a witch,” the Alpha said in disbelief.

Lucian’s wolf growled beneath his skin.

“She is my Luna.”

“She will never be accepted here.”

Lucian shifted. His silver wolf stood taller than every wolf surrounding the circle.

“Then I will become Alpha of a pack that will accept her.”

The challenge began. It did not last long.

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Chapter Ope+ndied Seventy Three

Claim

Lucian’s uncle was strong and expérienced, but bucian fought with the desperation of a mate who had lost everything. Every strike carried his grief. Every bite carried his rage. Within minutes, the old Alpha lay pinned beneath Lucian’s massive paw.

Lucian could have killed him. Instead, he stepped back. The defeated Alpha lowered his head.

“I submit.”

Power rippled through the pack bond. Lucian felt every wolf in the territory. Hundreds of minds. Hundreds of hearts. The connection recognized him. Accepted him. The wolves bowed.

“Alpha Lucian.”

Lucian shifted back. He did not celebrate. He did not address the pack. He turned immediately toward the

Beta.

“Contact every neighboring pack.”

The Beta, a broad-shouldered wolf named Marcus, stepped forward cautiously.

“What message should I send?”

“Tell them their Alphas are summoned here.”

Marcus hesitated.

“For what purpose?”

“We are going to war against the witches.”

Shock spread through the gathered pack. Marcus lowered his voice.

“Alpha, the others will not agree to that.”

“They will.”

“They will not risk their warriors for a witch.”

Lucian’s eyes flashed.

“She is not merely a witch. She is my mate and your Luna.”

“The other packs will never accept that.”

“They do not need to accept it.”

Marcus frowned.

“What should I tell them?”

Lucian looked toward the dark forest.

“Tell the Alphas they have two choices.”

The pack fell silent.

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5 Chapter Ope+tmared Seventy The

They may come here and stand beside me Or they may come here and challenge me.”

His voice carried across the territory. Marcus’s face paled.

“And if they refuse to come?

Clam

“Then I will go to their territories.”

Lucian turned toward his Beta.

“I will challenge each Alpha.”

“You intend to take their packs?”

“If that is what is required.”

“Alpha, there are dozens of packs.”

“Then I will defeat dozens of Alphas.”

Marcus stared at him. Lucian stepped closer.

“Tell them I am offering one choice disguised as two.”

He lifted his chin.

“They can submit willingly, or I will take their packs through combat.”

His wolf’s power spread through the air.

“And I will win.”

No one doubted him. Lucian continued.

“No Alpha will stop me from taking back my Luna.”

He looked at the wolves gathered around him.

“All packs will answer to me. We will find the witch who took her. And we will bring Agatha home.”

The Beta swallowed.

“What if the current Alphas still refuse to attack the witches?”

“Then their agreement is irrelevant.”

Lucian’s eyes burned with silver light.

“I will attack with or without them.”

Marcus bowed.

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