The Silver Wolf (Diana and Talon) novel Chapter 21

Chapter Twenty One

Clam

“So,” Artemis drawled inside her mind, voice dripping with sarcasm, “are we not going to talk about how you just told him I’m annoying, when moments ago you were lecturing me about not letting him scent me?

Diana pressed her lips together as heat crept up her neck.

“I was nervous, Artemis,” she snapped back quietly. “And you are annoying me.”

“Oh, I see,” Artemis said sweetly. “Protect the human ego. Insult the wolf. Typical.”

Diana didn’t dignify that with a response. Instead, she turned and moved quickly, retreating deeper into the small house as if distance alone might steady the storm churning inside her chest. The walls felt closer than usual, the familiar space suddenly invaded by a presence too big, too powerful, too important to ignore.

“Sit,” she said over her shoulder, pointing toward the worn couch near the fireplace. “Please.”

Talon obeyed without hesitation. He lowered himself carefully, the old couch creaking softly under his weight, his long frame making the furniture look almost fragile beneath him. Even seated, he radiated power-controlled, contained, but unmistakable.

His scent lingered in the air, clean and sharp like frost and pine, wrapping around her senses. The bond thrummed insistently in her chest, a low hum that refused to be silenced.

‘Storm, Artemis murmured. ‘He feels like a storm.’

Diana disappeared down the short hallway, her heartbeat loud in her ears. She stopped at the foot of her bed and knelt in front of the old wooden chest tucked neatly against the wall. When she lifted the lid, the familiar scent hit her instantly.

Pine. Steel. Home.

Her father’s things.

Her fingers brushed over neatly folded clothes, her throat tightening as memories pressed in-his laughter, his steady presence, the way he used to tell her she was stronger than she realized.

She swallowed hard, forcing herself to focus, and grabbed a loose shirt and a pair of worn sweatpants.

When she returned to the living room, Talon rose immediately.

“Here,” she said, holding the clothes out to him, suddenly very aware of how small her hands looked compared to his.

He took them carefully, his fingers brushing hers for the briefest moment.

The world tilted.

The bond flared-warm, intense, alive-and Diana sucked in a sharp breath, her instincts screaming at her

to step closer even as her mind shouted for distance.

Chapter Twenty five

Talon froze. The shift in him was instant. The teasing ease vanished, replaced by sharp awareness and something dangerously close to reverence.

“You felt that too,” he said quietly.

Diana nodded once, jaw tight, “I didn’t ask for it.”

“I know,” he replied just as softly. “Neither did I. But I won’t pretend it doesn’t matter.”

He turned away without being asked, giving her space as he pulled on the clothes. The simple act- deliberate, respectful-settled something restless inside her chest.

Artemis remained silent.

Watching.

When Talon faced her again, fully dressed and somehow even more imposing, his gaze searched her face. There was no claim in it. No demand.

Only attention.

“I won’t force anything,” he said. “I came because the bond pulled me here. Because my wolf wouldn’t let me stay away. But what happens next?” He shrugged slightly. “That’s your choice as much as mine.”

Diana crossed her arms, grounding herself in the familiar weight of control. “You showed up unannounced. Naked. In the middle of the night.”

A corner of his mouth lifted. “In my defense, I didn’t exactly have time to pack.”

She huffed despite herself, then caught it, surprised by the sound, and frowned.

Silence stretched between them, thick but not uncomfortable.

Finally, she spoke. “I was rejected once. Publicly. Brutally. I won’t put myself or my wolf through that again.

Talon’s jaw tightened. “I’m not him.”

“I know,” she said quietly. “But knowing doesn’t erase scars.”

He nodded, accepting that without argument. “Then let me earn your trust. Slowly. On your terms.”

He hesitated, then added honestly, “To be truthful, I’m not ready for a mate. I have enemies-many of them. A mate is a weakness I cannot afford.”

Diana stiffened slightly, but he continued. “But finding you here,” he said, eyes darkening, “watching you fight those rogues… it made me question that belief. It made me wonder just how strong my mate really is. And I know how strong I am and my wolf.”

Artemis stirred at last, her voice softer now. ‘He speaks like a true mate. Not a coward!

Diana exhaled slowly. ‘You saw me fight. You must know I fight as a human. Not a wolf.

Her eyes sharpened. ‘Are you not curious why?’

2/4

Chapter Twenty Ge

He studied her carefully. “Alpha Asher was. kind enough to explain.”

Her breath hitched. “You spoke to Alpha Asher?”

“Yes,” Talon said flatly “He explained why you fight in human form. He also informed me that you are his mate.”

The air turned cold.

“I was this close,” Talon added evenly, “to ripping his head off. For him to lay claim to what is mine.”

“He said what?” Diana snapped, anger flaring hot and sharp. “Is he delusional? He rejected me because I was wolfless.”

“Oh, I think he regrets that now,” Talon said darkly. “Especially considering the kind of Luna he chose instead.”

He shuddered slightly, clearly unimpressed.

Diana bit her lip, hesitation flickering across her face. But she needed to know.

“So you know why I was rejected,” she said quietly. “Everyone here believes I don’t have a wolf. I’m a strong fighter, yes, but I’m still human. Easy to kill.”

Talon frowned. “About that… why do they think you don’t have a wolf when I can feel her? Smell her?”

Diana’s shoulders sagged. “I didn’t shift on my eighteenth birthday. Everyone assumed I didn’t have one. I tried to tell them, but no one listened.” Her voice hardened. “And unlike you, they cannot feel her or smell her. So I let them believe it. It was easier.”

“Easier?” Talon echoed sharply. “You fight rogues as a human. That’s dangerous on so many levels.”

“Artemis helps me,” Diana replied. “In every way she can. She’ heals me. Gives me speed. Strength. Enough to survive-but not enough for the pack to notice.”

Silence fell again.

And this time, it carried something heavier than tension.

Respect.

“If you spoke to Alpha Asher about me,” Diana said slowly, breaking the silence, “then you already know my name.” She lifted her chin, meeting his gaze fully now. “But I don’t know yours.”

For a heartbeat, Talon simply studied her-really looked at her, as if deciding how much of the truth to place in her hands. The bond pulsed once, steady and warm, as though urging honesty. Then he straightened, posture shifting subtly. The casual ease he had worn fell away, replaced by something ancient and formal-something that carried weight.

“I am Talon Ravenwood,” he said evenly. “Alpha of the Black Howler Pack.”

The words landed heavily in the small room, reverberating against the walls like a distant drumbeat.

Diana’s breath hitched. Her eyes widened, and she was suddenly on her feet, the chair scraping softly against the floor as instinct took over.

3/4

Chapter Twenty One

You’re the Alpha King?” she exclaimed.

The title burst from her lips before she could stop it.

Clam

Every story she had ever heard-every whispered rumor, every half-myth told around pack fires-flooded her mind at once. The Alpha King was not just a ruler. He was a force. Aliving embodiment of authority.

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