The Silver Wolf (Diana and Talon) novel Chapter 87

Chapter Eighty Seven

It had beer hours.

Again.

Hours since Damon marked Willow.

Hours since Diana offered her blood-again and again-until the healer finally stopped her.

Hours since they watched life hang by a thread.

And now-

They were waiting.

Again.

Talon hated waiting.

There was nothing worse for a warrior-

For an Alpha-

Than standing still while someone he loved fought a battle he could not join.

The only difference now-

Was that they were inside Willow’s room.

The healer had insisted.

“She needs to feel you,” she had said.

“Her wolf needs to know she is not alone.”

Especially her mate.

So they stayed.

The room was quiet.

Dim.

Only the soft beeping of machines and the steady rise and fall of Willow’s chest filled the space.

Damon had not moved.

Not once.

He sat beside her bed.

One hand wrapped tightly around hers-

As if letting go would mean losing her.

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His thunb brushed gertly over her krnuckles.

Over and over.

And he whispered.

Soft.

Constant.

Talon could not hear what he was saying.

And right now-

He didn’t want to.

Because if he listened-

If he let himself focus on that voice-

He might forget why he was tolerating Damon’s presence at all.

The bastard…

Talon thought darkly.

Now he acts like a proper mate.

His jaw tightened.

But he forced himself to stay still.

Because this-

This wasn’t about Damon.

This was about Willow.

A knock broke the silence.

Everyone turned.

The healer entered.

She moved quickly to Willow’s side, checking her pulse, her breathing, the faint glow of her aura.

Seconds passed.

Then-

She smiled.

Relief flooded the room before she even spoke.

“It’s working,” the healer said.

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Talon’s Iread snapped toward him.

“Now you act like a devoted mate?” Talon said sharply.

The tension spiked again.

“Talon.”

Diana’s voice was calm-

But firm.

“Not now.”

Talon looked at her.

“Willow needs rest,” Diana continued.

“And her wolf…”

She glanced at Damon.

“…needs him.”

A beat.

“They are mated now.”

Talon clenched his jaw.

“I know you’re angry,” Diana added softly.

“But this isn’t the time.”

Then her voice shifted.

More grounded.

More commanding.

“You are still the Alpha King.”

That made Talon still.

“The allied packs are still here,” she reminded him.

“You need to decide what to do with them.”

“And you need to hear Enzo and Galvin’s report.”

The weight of responsibility settled back onto him.

“I agree with the Luna,” the healer added.

“For now, Willow needs rest.”

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“And her mate’s presence.”

Talon exhaled slowly.

Then looked at Damen

Long.

Hard.

“Remember what I said.”

A warning.

A promise.

Then he turned-

And walked out.

Selene and Rowan stepped forward next.

Selene brushed Willow’s hair gently.

Leaning down-

Pressing a soft kiss to her forehead.

“Come back to us,” she whispered.

Rowan rested his hand briefly on Willow’s head.

Then they followed Talon out.

Leah lingered for a moment-

Her eyes soft with worry-

Then quietly left as well.

Soon-

Only two remained.

Damon.

And Diana.

Diana stood still for a moment.

Watching him.

Watching the way he held Willow’s hand-

Like it was the only thing keeping him grounded.

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Chapter Eighty Seven

Then she stepped closer.

“Damon.”

He didn’t look up.

“I am choosing to trust you.”

That made him pause.

“Right now.”

Her voice hardened slightly.

“But do not think for a second that I have forgotten what you did.”

Damon’s grip on Willow’s hand tightened.

“The pain you caused her…

Diana continued.

“Not with actions.”

“But with your words.”

A beat.

“With your constant rejection of what you already had.”

Silence.

“The only reason you are still standing…”

Diana said quietly.

“… is because she needs you.”

Her gaze sharpened.

“Because if not Talon-”

Her voice dropped.

Dangerous.

“I would be the one to end you.”

Damon didn’t respond.

He didn’t defend himself.

Didn’t argue.

He just kept holding Willow’s hand.

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Because she was right.

“Now look at you,” Diana said softly

“Clinging to her like she’s your lifeline.”

A pause.

“Because she is.”

Damon’s jaw tightened.

“When she wakes up…”

Diana added quietly.

“You better hope and pray to the Goddess that she doesn’t tear you apart herself.”

With that-

She turned-

And left.

The door closed softly behind her.

Silence returned.

For a long time-

Damon didn’t move.

He just looked at Willow.

Pale.

Still.

Fighting.

He heard every word Diana said.

And he knew-

Every single one of them-

Was true.