Chapter One Hundred Eighty Six
“Choose your next words carefully.”
His voice was low. Dangerous, Ravenna did not flinch.
“I am not threatening her. I am warning you.”
Talon’s eyes remained fixed on her. Ravenna stood her ground.
“Thorne knows what it means when the Silver Wolf carries the next generation, He knows your power has weakened. He knows the curse will begin fading after the pup is safely born.”
Diana’s face became pale.
“So he has to kill me before I give birth.”
“Yes.”
Ravenna’s answer came without hesitation.
“That is why the attacks have increased. That is why he has not shown himself openly. He is waiting. Studying. Testing. Trying to determine exactly how weak you have become.”
Talon looked toward the window. Suddenly, every recent attack made more sense. The repeated formations. The similar number of feral rogues. The way they focused on Diana. Thorne was not merely testing Black Howler. He was searching for proof that the pregnancy had already weakened her. Diana placed one hand over her stomach again.
“And this is why the Silver Wolf has to unite the wolves.”
Ravenna nodded.
“Yes. The prophecy is not only about power. It is about survival. The Silver Wolf must bring the packs together because once she carries the next generation, she cannot fight Gideon’s darkness alone. She needs warriors. Alphas. Lunas. Every pack standing between her and the enemy.”
Diana’s eyes narrowed thoughtfully.
“That was the prophecy you gave Damon. The reason he spent years searching for the Silver Wolf.”
“Yes.”
Ravenna’s lips curved slightly.
“I told the Rogue King that the Silver Wolf would unite the wolves. And that her mate would stand beside
her.”
Diana raised an eyebrow.
“You never told him he had to become my mate?”
“No.”
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Chapter Opened Eighty Six
Ravenna looked almost offended.
Claim
“I said the Silver Wolf’s mate would stand beside her. I did not say the Rogue King would be that mate.”
Diana could not help smiling
“So Damon heard what he wanted to hear.”
“Exactly.”
“He decided the prophecy meant he needed to convince you to choose him.”
Ravenna gave a small shrug.
“I do not believe that was my fault.”
Diana actually laughed.
“No.”
“It was not your fault.”
She glanced toward Talon.
“Damon has a habit of acting first and using his brain afterward.”
Talon huffed.
“That habit nearly cost him Willow.”
Diana nodded.
“He almost lost his true mate because he was chasing a prophecy he misunderstood.”
Ravenna’s expression softened.
“But perhaps that misunderstanding still brought the kingdoms together.”
Diana considered that. Damon’s search for the Silver Wolf had caused pain. But it had also led him to Black Howler. To Willow. To the Rogue Kingdom standing beside the Royal Pack. Perhaps fate had used even Damon’s mistake. Talon cleared his throat.
“As entertaining as discussing Damon’s lack of judgment may be…”
Diana smiled faintly.
“We need to return to the important matter.”
He moved closer to her, keeping one arm around her waist.
“My mate is carrying my pup.”
His voice became more serious.
“She is here with me. I will protect her with my life.”
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Chapter Opened Eighty Si
Fenrir’s presence rose behind his words.
“With everything we have.”
Talon looked directly at Ravenna.
“So explain why she needs the protection of a witch.”
Clem
There was no insult in his tone. Only challenge. A mate’s pride. An Alpha’s protectiveness. And the refusal to believe anyone could protect Diana better than he could: Ravenna met his gaze calmly.
“Because you cannot fight Thorne’s magic.”
Talon’s expression hardened.
“You cannot remove poison from the air. You cannot break every curse he may place on her body. You cannot stop dark magic from reaching the pup.”
Ravenna’s voice remained even.
“You are powerful, Alpha King. The strongest wolf of your generation. Perhaps the strongest ordinary wolf alive.”
Fenrir bristled at the word ordinary.
“But you are still a wolf.”
Ravenna continued without malice.
“You do not carry the Silver Wolf’s resistance to magic. You do not understand witchcraft. And you cannot protect Diana from a weapon you cannot see.”
Talon said nothing. Because beneath his anger, he knew she was right. He could tear apart any wolf who approached Diana.
He could stand between her and an army. He could command thousands of warriors. But when Thorne poisoned the air, Talon had not sensed it until Ravenna warned them. When the earth spike struck Diana, he had been unable to stop the magic. His strength had limits. That truth tasted bitter. Diana squeezed his hand.
“It does not mean you are not enough.”
Talon looked at her.
“It means we need allies who can fight in ways we cannot.”
He exhaled slowly. Then turned back toward Ravenna.
“You said you will be one of her protectors.”
“Yes.”
“Who else?”
“The wolves she has united.”
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Chapter Opendred Eighty Siz
Ravenna answered.
“Her mate. Her pack. The Rogue Kingdom. Every Alpha and Luna who accepts her. And…”
She paused.
“A White Witch.”
Diana watched her.
“You.”
“Yes.”
Ravenna’s voice became quieter.
“A White Witch has always stood beside the Silver Wolf. One is born or chosen in every generation. She guides the Silver Wolf. Protects her from dark magic. Helps her understand her gifts. And stands beside her when Gideon’s curse rises.”
Ravenna lowered her gaze.
“It has always been that way.”
Diana noticed the pain in her expression.
“But this generation is different.”
Ravenna’s eyes filled with tears.
“Yes.”
Her hand moved unconsciously toward her own stomach.
“For every White Witch before me, the cursed dark witch was an enemy. A distant relative. A stranger. Someone they were prepared to fight.”
Her voice broke.
“But Thorne…”
She closed her eyes.
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