The Silver Wolf (Diana and Talon) novel Chapter 52

Chapter Fifty-Two

After breakfast, the hall slowly emptied as warriors rotated to training, elders moved toward the council wing, and pack members returned to their daily duties.

“I have meetings with the elders, Talon leaned closer to Diana and said quietly. “There are matters we need to address after what happened in Crimson Fang. I will see you later.”

There was apology in his eyes.

Diana nodded. “Go. I will be fine.”

He brushed his fingers against her cheek briefly-an intimate gesture that did not go unnoticed by the nearby wolves-before standing.

Selene rose gracefully as well. “Come, my dear. Willow and I will show you the rest of your new home.”

Home.

The word still felt new.

Willow immediately linked her arm with Diana’s. “Prepare yourself. Black Howler is not small.”

That turned out to be an understatement. The Royal Pack territory was massive, less like a traditional pack settlement and more like a private city hidden within forests and mountain ridges. The pack house itself was only the center of a far larger world.

They passed a modern glass building.

“That is our corporate headquarters,” Selene explained. “To humans, we are simply a large corporation that houses and employs its workers.”

Diana glanced at the building, impressed.

“Some of our members prefer to work outside the territory,” Willow added. “They work alongside humans. Finance, technology, medicine. Of course, the humans have no idea what we are.”

“They believe the Royal Pack is simply a private enterprise with strong internal housing benefits,” Selene said with a knowing smile.

They continued walking. Diana saw a private hospital wing far more advanced than most human facilities she had seen. A movie theater. Training grounds. Parks with manicured paths and towering trees left untouched by development. Residential districts spread out in organized rows of beautiful homes.

“This is… enormous,” Diana admitted.

“We must be self-sufficient,” Selene said. “Especially as the ruling pack.””

As they entered one of the parks, the atmosphere softened. Sunlight filtered through tall trees. Pups ran freely across the grass, their laughter ringing through the air. Mothers sat on benches nearby, watching attentively but smiling warmly.

The sight made Diana’s chest ache. She remembered when her mother used to bring her to the park. She

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could almost hear her voice. Feel her hand brushing back Diana’s hair.

“Did your mind wander?” Selene commented gently, noticing Diana’s distant expression.

“My mother used to bring me to the park,” Diana replied quietly. Willow squeezed her hand once.

Suddenly, a blur of fur and laughter zipped across the grass.

One small pup, too focused on chasing his friend, ran straight into a she-wolf standing near the path.

The impact was harmless, just an accidental bump, but the she-wolf stumbled dramatically.

And Diana immediately recognized her.

Vanessa.

Diana almost laughed at the irony, but the amusement died quickly.

Vanessa’s face twisted with irritation. Without hesitation, she shoved the small pup down to the grass.

The child yelped in surprise, and gasps rippled through the nearby mothers.

The pup’s mother rushed forward. “Ms. Vanessa! It was an accident-”

Vanessa turned and struck her across the face.

The crack echoed sharply.

The park fell silent.

Diana did not remember deciding to move.

She was simply walking.

Fast.

Willow blinked. “Diana-”

Claim

But Diana was already there. She reached Vanessa in seconds, without a word, she raised her hand and slapped Vanessa hard across the face.

The sound was loud enough to make birds scatter from nearby trees.

Vanessa staggered back in shock. “How dare you hit me!”

Diana’s eyes were cold. “How dare you hit not just a pack member, but push a pup as well?”

Vanessa scoffed. “I was teaching him a lesson that clearly his mother failed to teach him.”

“Oh, really?” Diana tilted her head slightly, then she slapped her again.

Harder.

“The first one was for the pup,” Diana said calmly.

Vanessa’s eyes widened in disbelief.

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“And the second.” Diana continued, “was for the mother.”

Gasps echoed around them.

“I hope you learned your lesson,” Diana finished. “But if you have not, am more than willing to provide further instruction.”

Vanessa stared at her as if seeing her for the first time. “You do not have the right! Wait until my father hears about this!”

The pup’s mother visibly flinched at the mention of Vanessa’s father. So he truly was influential.

“I have every right,” Diana did not blink and said steadily. “As Talon declared, I am the Luna of this pack. You struck one of my members and pushed a defenseless pup because he accidentally bumped into you.”

She stepped closer. “One thing you must understand about me, Vanessa. I protect my pack. And I do not care who your father is.”

Vanessa’s face flushed with fury. “You-”

“What is going on here?”

Talon’s voice cut through the tension like a blade.

The Alpha King stepped into the clearing, his aura heavy and commanding. Royal guards flanked him.

“Alpha,” Vanessa’s expression shifted instantly, and she said quickly, “This wolf struck me without cause. When my father hears about this, he will not be pleased.”

She expected protection, but Talon walked straight past her and stopped beside Diana.

His presence settled protectively at her side.

Vanessa faltered.

“This wolf,” Talon’s eyes turned icy as they fixed on Vanessa, “is my mate. My Luna. You will respect her title, or you will leave my pack.”

“B-but-”

Talon ignored her. He looked at Diana instead, his expression softening slightly. “What happened, mate?”

Diana kept her voice steady. “This pup accidentally bumped into her while playing. Vanessa pushed him down. When his mother came to help him, Vanessa struck her.”

Talon’s jaw tightened.

“So I came,” Diana continued, “and I slapped her. She said she was teaching the pup a lesson because his mother could not. So I slapped her again to teach her not to harm defenseless wolves. I do not care who her father is. I will never tolerate anyone hurting a pup.”

“You dared strike a pack member?” Talon turned slowly to Vanessa. His voice was deadly calm. “Strike a pup?”

“I was teaching them to be more careful-”

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<Chapter Full-T

Clam

“And you believe you have the right to discipline my pack?” Talon’s eyes darkened. “Vanessa, you will leave my territory immediately. You are no longer welcome here.”

The park collectively gasped.

“What? You cannot do that! Vanessa snapped.

“I can,” Talon said simply. “I am the Alpha King. And you are in my territory.”

He turned to the guards. “Escort Vanessa out of my pack.”

“Right away, Alpha King,” they responded, stepping forward.

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