The Silver Wolf (Diana and Talon) novel Chapter 53

Chapter Fifty Three

“Why are you here?” Diana asked softly when she felt his presence behind her. “I thought you had a meeting with the elders and your father.”

Talon’s scent reached her before his hands did-warm, steady, grounding.

“I did,” he replied calmly. “And now I am here, With you.”

Before she could respond, he leaned down and pressed a slow, deliberate kiss to her lips.

It wasn’t rushed and hidden.

It was a claim.

“I missed you, my mate,” Talon murmured against her skin.

“Talon,” Diana felt her cheeks warm. She whispered, glancing around, “Everyone is looking.”

And they were. The Warriors walking past slowed. Mothers in the park smiled knowingly. Even a few elders lingering on the path pretended not to stare.

Diana couldn’t help smiling. Her first mate had been a nightmare-Asher’s rejection on her eighteenth birthday still echoed in her memory. The humiliation. The pain. The betrayal. But standing here with Talon, feeling his steady heartbeat under her palm, she silently thanked the Goddess for rewriting her fate.

“Let them look,” Talon said unapologetically. “Let them see how Happy their Alpha King is. Let them see how content I am. How blessed we are to have you here.”

His voice was steady, but there was emotion beneath it.

“You are impossible,” Diana melted slightly into his embrace, and she murmured, though her eyes shone.

“I am honest,” he corrected.

A soft laugh interrupted them, Selene approached gracefully, amusement dancing in her eyes.

“Talon,” she began, “we need to talk about your marking ceremony. We must send invitations to our allies. The Northern Clans, the Eastern Coalition, the Shadow Ridge pack-”

“Mother,” Talon interrupted gently but firmly, “that is something you should discuss with Diana. She is the Luna. It is her ceremony.”

Selene blinked once, then sighed.

“Diana, my dear, please forgive him,” she said with dramatic patience. “Talon, we are discussing your marking ceremony, not just the Luna ceremony. It is your ceremony as much as Diana’s.”

Talon looked momentarily confused.

Willow, who had appeared quietly behind Selene, burst into laughter.

“Brother,” she said between giggles, “you just said the sweetest things to your mate and then ruined the moment with your cluelessness.”

Chapter Fully-thre

Diana stared.

The Alpha King… blushed.

Actually blushed.

A faint redness crept up his neck and across his cheeks.

Several nearby wolves quickly looked away, pretending they had seen nothing.

Rowan, who had been approaching from a distance, covered his mouth to hide his grin.

“Mother,” Talon said stiffly, “there is no need to make a spectacle.”

“Oh, we absolutely will make a spectacle,” Selene replied cheerfully. “This is your marking ceremony.”

Clam

She turned to Diana with a conspiratorial smile. “You must understand, my dear, Talon is a mighty Alpha King. Strategic. Ruthless when necessary. Feared across territories.”

Willow nodded enthusiastically.

“But,” Selene continued sweetly, “when it comes to relationships, he is a complete novice.”

“Mother,” Talon groaned quietly.

Willow laughed louder. “She’s right! You’ve handled rogue invasions better than this conversation.”

Even Diana couldn’t hold back her laughter. She had seen Talon command warriors without hesitation. She had watched him sentence traitors without flinching. Here he was, embarrassed because his family

teased him about romance.

It was endearing.

“Please do not laugh at my expense,” Talon muttered, though his eyes softened when they met Diana’s.” And do not listen to them, my mate. We will discuss our ceremony later. In our suite. Away from an audience.”

“Oh?” Willow wiggled her brows. “Away from an audience, he says.”

“Willow,” Talon warned.

“It is all right, Talon,” Diana tilted her head, pretending to consider. “You are still the strongest, the mightiest, and the fiercest Alpha King I know.”

She leaned closer. “Even if you are slightly inexperienced in romantic diplomacy.”

Selene laughed openly.

Rowan chuckled.

Willow clapped once in delight.

“Careful,” Talon narrowed his eyes playfully at his mate. “I may have to prove just how experienced I can be.”

Chapter Fully Th

Diana’s breath caught for half a second before she recovered. “Is that a challenge, Alpha King?”

His gaze darkened briefly-intense, possessive, unmistakably male. “It is a promise.”

Chem

“Children,” Selene cleared her throat loudly, she said with exaggerated dignity, though her smile betrayed her amusement. “We are still in public.”

“Very well,” Talon straightened slightly but did not release Diana’s hand. He said with composed authority, returning to his tone. “Mother, begin preparations. Send word to our allies. The marking ceremony will be held in three weeks.”

“Three weeks?” Willow gasped. “That soon?”

Talon looked at Diana. “Unless my Luna prefers otherwise.”

All teasing faded slightly.

This was her choice.

Diana felt the weight of it and the honor.

Three weeks to formally bind their wolves. To stand before allies and enemies alike. To mark each other publicly. To claim what was already undeniable.

She met Talon’s gaze steadily. “Three weeks is perfect.”

His answering smile was slow and proud.

Selene clapped her hands softly. “Wonderful. Then we shall make it unforgettable.”

Willow grinned mischievously. “Oh, it will be unforgettable.”

Rowan placed a firm hand on his son’s shoulder. “You chose well.”

Talon didn’t look away from Diana. “I know.”

And as pack members passed by-bowing slightly to their Luna and Alpha King-Diana realized something profound.

This was not just a ceremony.

It was the beginning of her reign beside him.

Not as the rejected wolfless girl she once was, but as the Luna of Black Howler.

And Talon, mighty and fierce though he was, stood beside her not just as Alpha, but as her mate.

Proud.

Embarrassed.

And completely hers.

Chapter Fully PON-

Chapter Fifty Four

Claim

“How was your meeting with the elders?” Diana asked after a few quiet minutes. They had walked away from the park and found a shaded stone bench overlooking the lake that bordered the eastern side of the territory. The water reflected the late morning sun, calm and deceptively peaceful.

“It was…. tiring,” Talon exhaled slowly. “Everyone has their own opinion.”

Diana smiled faintly. “That means they care.”

He gave her a sideways look. “It also means they argue.”

She chuckled softly. “But did you get answers to your questions?”

He hesitated. “Some.”

The word lingered between them.

Talon leaned back slightly, his gaze drifting toward the water, but his mind returned to the council chamber.

The council room had been heavy with tension. Aside from his father, there were four seated elders. In the Royal Pack, elders were not chosen by age alone. They were wolves who had mastered their respective fields and earned the pack’s unwavering trust.

Elder Garrick represented the warriors as a scarred, broad-shouldered wolf who had led three border wars decades ago. His loyalty was unquestionable, and his thinking was direct and battle-focused.

Elder Mirela represented the healers. Calm, observant, sharp-minded. She saw consequences long before others did, especially the human and emotional cost of decisions.

Elder Alaric was a well-traveled, knowledgeable political mind, knowledgeable in alliances, trade agreements, and interpack diplomacy. He represented all allied packs and often thought three steps ahead of everyone else.

And Elder Thomlin represented the common pack members-the workers, the families, the everyday wolves whose voices might otherwise be lost beneath politics and power.

And then there was Rowan.

The previous Alpha King.

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