The Silver Wolf (Diana and Talon) novel Chapter 137

Chapter OpeHandled Thirty Seven

Chapter One Hundred Thirty Seven

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The next morning passed quietly. Too quietly. After breakfast at the hotel, the four of them prepared once again for the final stretch of their journey toward the Stone Claw Pack territory. Despite the calm atmosphere, tension lingered heavily beneath the surface.

Everyone felt it. This ceremony was no longer just a ceremony. It was a test. Possibly a trap. And perhaps. the beginning of something much worse. Diana adjusted the sleeve of her dress coat before stepping outside the hotel. The morning air was cool, carrying the scent of pine and distant rain. Beside her, Talon scanned their surroundings automatically, his instincts refusing to relax even for a moment.

“We are close enough now,” Fenrir growled internally to Talon: “If something happens, we tear everyone apart.”

“Let us try diplomacy first.”

“A disappointing choice.”

Diana hid a smile while Talon opened the car door for her. Damon and Willow exited their own room moments later. Willow wore a dark blue fitted dress beneath her coat while Damon remained dressed in black from head to toe like the dramatic rogue king he apparently enjoyed being.

“You look suspicious,” Willow told him immediately.

“I always look suspicious.”

“That is not the defense you think it is.”

Talon looked at Damon flatly.

“If anything happens today, I’m blaming your face first.”

Damon looked offended.

“My face?”

“You look like trouble.”

“That sounds hypocritical coming from the Alpha King who threatened to kill me three separate times this week.”

“Only three?”

Diana sighed.

“Can we all try acting civilized for one day?”

“No promises,” Talon and Damon answered at the exact same time.

Willow groaned.

“This trip is going to kill me.”

“No,” Diana corrected calmly. “The males are going to kill you.”

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Eventually, they split into two separate vehicles once more and continued toward Stone Claw territory. The drive itself remained peaceful. Again. No feral rogues. No dark magic. No sign of Thorne. But none of them trusted the silence anymore. Especially Talon Especially Diana. Because enemies like Thorne did not simply stop hunting

Hours later, the forests surrounding them began changing subtly. The trees grew denser. Taller. Rocky mountains became visible in the distance.

Stone Claw territory.

“We’re here,” Damon murmured quietly from the other vehicle through the linked communication device.

Talon’s eyes narrowed slightly.

“Stay alert.”

They crossed the border shortly after lunch. Immediately, the atmosphere shifted.

Stone Claw warriors stood near the entrance gates, visibly tense the moment they recognized the royal insignia on Talon’s vehicle.

The Alpha King had arrived. And everyone knew it. But instead of a welcoming committee- instead of the future Alpha and Luna greeting them personally- only one person waited at the front of the packhouse.

Vanessa.

Dressed elegantly in deep crimson. Smiling too brightly. Watching too carefully. The moment Talon exited the vehicle, Vanessa immediately approached.

“Alpha King,” she greeted smoothly.

But she never once looked at Diana. Not once. Talon noticed instantly. So did Damon. So did Willow. And Talon’s expression darkened immediately.

“Vanessa,” Talon said coldly, stepping slightly closer to Diana. “I sincerely hope nothing is wrong with your eyesight.”

Vanessa blinked.

“Excuse me?”

“My Luna is standing beside me.” His voice lowered dangerously. “And I will cut down anyone who disrespects her.”

The warriors nearby immediately stiffened. Vanessa visibly swallowed before finally forcing herself to look toward Diana.

“Luna Queen,” she greeted stiffly. “Welcome to Stone Claw Pack.”

Diana smiled politely despite the tension.

“Thank you, Vanessa.”

Unlike Talon, Diana’s expression remained calm. Controlled. But Artemis was already growling internally.

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“She still does not like us.”

“I noticed,”

“She smells nervous.”

Cham

That-Diana noticed too. Vanessa was tense. Too tense. Talon’s gaze swept around the entrance area carefully.

“Where is your mate?”

Vanessa hesitated only briefly.

“He had urgent pack matters to attend to, Alpha King.”

Talon’s eyes narrowed.

“You will meet him later during the ceremony.” Vanessa continued.

That answer clearly did not satisfy Talon.

“What pack business is important enough to prevent him from greeting the Alpha King personally?”

His voice carried unmistakable offense now. Before Vanessa could answer- Diana gently touched Talon’s

arm.

“Talon.”

His eyes flickered toward her immediately.

“That is enough,” Diana said calmly. “If they believe their pack matters are more important than greeting us personally, then let them.”

Her tone remained smooth. Controlled.

“We are here for the ceremony. We will meet him later.”

Talon clearly disliked that answer. But because it came from Diana- he let it go. Barely. Vanessa visibly relaxed slightly.

“I will have an omega escort you to your rooms so you may freshen up.”

She still refused to properly acknowledge Diana beyond the minimum required politeness. Talon’s irritation rose again instantly, but Diana squeezed his arm harder before he could speak.

“Talon’s Beta, the Royal Guards, and several elders from the Royal Pack will arrive soon,” Diana said smoothly. “Please ensure they are shown to their rooms once they arrive.”

Vanessa froze.

“The elders?”

Her expression shifted quickly.

“We… did not invite the elders.”

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The tension around them changed instantly. Talon’s expression became dangerously calm.

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“If this were merely a mating ceremony,” he said slowly, “ther yes. The elders would not be necessary.” A

pause.

“But the invitation I received specifically stated this ceremony would officially recognize your mate as the new Alpha of Stone Claw.”

Vanessa visibly stiffened.

“And that,” Talon continued, “is a completely different matter.”

Damon folded his arms quietly beside Willow while observing everything carefully. The surrounding Stone Claw warriors looked increasingly uncomfortable. Talon stepped forward slightly now.

“Your mate is not originally from this pack.” Another pause. “He is not related by blood to the previous Alpha or Luna.”

Vanessa’s jaw tightened.

“The elders and I are therefore required to witness whether this succession is legitimate.”

Vanessa’s eyes flashed.

“My mate is becoming Alpha because I am the daughter of the former Alpha and Luna.”

“Yes,” Talon agreed coolly. “If you yourself were becoming Alpha, we would not be having this conversation.”

That made several nearby warriors exchange uneasy looks.

“But your mate becoming Alpha is different.” Talon’s voice sharpened slightly. “The title of Alpha passes through bloodline inheritance or challenge.”

Another dangerous pause. “The only way your mate could legally become Alpha himself is if he defeated the previous Alpha in an official challenge.”

Silence spread instantly.

Talon’s eyes locked onto Vanessa’s.

“But we were informed your parents died naturally.” A beat. “Unless…” His aura shifted slightly. “…your mate was responsible for their deaths?”

Several nearby wolves inhaled sharply.

“No!” Vanessa answered immediately. Too quickly. “My mate had nothing to do with my parents’ deaths

Her heartbeat had accelerated. Diana noticed immediately. So did Talon.

“But as the daughter of the previous Alpha,” Vanessa continued quickly, “I decided it would be best for my mate to lead beside me.”

“And who exactly gave you the authority to make that decision?” Talon asked coldly.

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Vanessa visibly bristled.

“Did they not teach succession law at Alpha school anymore?”

The insult landed hard

“The Alpha title is inherited,” Talon continued sharply. “Not gifted to a random mate.”

Vanessa’s face flushed with anger.

“You cannot question my authority inside my own pack!”

Cla

“Oh?” Talon’s voice lowered dangerously. “Then perhaps your mate should have appeared personally to answer those questions himself.”

“Talon.”

Diana’s voice cut cleanly through the tension once more. Immediately, Talon looked at her.

“We can discuss this later,” Diana said calmly. “Once the elders arrive.”

Her gaze shifted briefly toward Vanessa.

“For now, I believe everyone would benefit from resting before the ceremony.”

Then she glanced toward Willow and Damon.

“I’m sure they would appreciate that as well.”

Damon nodded once slowly.

“Yes.”

Vanessa remained tense for several long seconds before finally forcing herself to calm down.

“…Of course.”

But Diana noticed it. The fear hidden beneath Vanessa’s anger. Not offense. Fear. And suddenly- Artemis stirred sharply inside her.

“She’s hiding something.”

Diana’s eyes narrowed slightly as Vanessa turned away to summon the omega escorts.

“Yes,” Diana answered internally. “She definitely is.”

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