She was running on will alone, and that will was fraying.
‘Hold on, mate,’ Fenrir snarled inwardly, fury vibrating through the bond. ‘I’m here. Just hold on!’
Out of the eight remaining rogues, five charged him at once. They attacked simultaneously, coordinated in the way only seasoned killers were-one going low, another for his throat, the others flanking. They thought numbers would overwhelm him.
They were wrong.
Fenrir shifted his stance, massive body placing itself squarely between the rogues and Diana’s fallen form. She lay just behind him, curled on her side, blood soaking into the dirt beneath her. Too still. Far too still. That sight alone nearly sent him fully feral.
The rogues hit him like a wave. Teeth sank into his shoulder. Claws raked down his flank. One latched onto his hind leg, trying to bring him down.
Fenrir didn’t even feel it.
Pain was meaningless.
Blood was meaningless.
The only thing that mattered was that they would never touch her again.
With a thunderous snarl, Fenrir exploded into motion. He snapped his jaws around the first rogue’s neck, crushing vertebrae with horrifying ease before hurling the limp body aside. Another leapt for his back, Fenrir twisted mid-motion, claws ripping through muscle and bone, tearing an arm clean off. The rogue screamed, collapsing in a heap, but Fenrir was already moving again.
He fought like a force of nature.
Savage. Relentless. Unstoppable.
They clawed him. Bit him. Tried to tear him down.
He tore them apart
In the distance, a long, powerful howl echoed through the trees.
Fenrir’s ears twitched.
Enzo, Talon realized instantly.
The rogues heard it too. Fear flickered across their feral faces. Three of them-those who had been holding back, waiting for an opening-turned and ran, abandoning the fight without hesitation.
They didn’t get far. A massive gray wolf burst from the shadows like a living missile.
River.
Enzo’s wolf hit the first rogue full force, slamming it into the ground hard enough to crack bone. His jaws closed around its spine, ending the struggle instantly. The second tried to veer away, but River was faster, dragging it down by the leg and crushing its throat. The third barely had time to scream before River tore into it, leaving it broken and immobilized.
Efficient. Precise. Ruthless.
His beta was nothing if not effective.
Good, Talon thought grimly.
The clearing fell eerily quiet. Broken rogues lay scattered across the ground-some unconscious, some howling in agony, some disturbingly still. Fenrir stood at the center of it all, chest heaving, fur matted with blood-most of it not his own. But his gaze never left Diana.
‘Enzo, handle this. I have to check on Diana, Talon mind-linked sharply.
Already securing them, Enzo replied without hesitation. ‘Go
“Fenrir,” Talon turned inward, and he said firmly. “We have to shift”
Fenrir hesitated, torn between instinct and command, but only for a heartbeat. He padded back to Diana, lowering his massive head beside her. Gently-so gently-he licked her cheek, then nudged her shoulder with his nose, desperate for any sign of life.
Her lashes fluttered.
“Hello… big boy,” A faint smile curved her lips, and she murmured weakly. “Haven’t I told you… no licking?
The sound Fenrir made was low and broken, something between a whine and a growl. He nudged her again, relief crashing through him so hard it nearly stole his breath.
She was alive.
Reluctantly, he yielded control.
The shift was swift. Talon dropped to his knees beside her, human once more, heedless of his own injuries. He gathered her into his arms, careful of her wounds, one hand cradling her head, the other pressing her close to his chest.
“Diana,” he said urgently “Why didn’t you shift? You have to shift let your wolf heal you.”
“Wolfsbane,” she breathing was shallow, uneven. “Some of the rogues…. had it. I was careless.” Her fingers twitched weakly against his arm. “Artemis is knocked out. I can’t shift. Healing’s slower now… but I’ll be fine. Just… give me time.”
His jaw clenched hard.
“Rest,” Talon said softly, though fury still burned in his eyes. “Take all the time you need. I’ll take care of this.”
The tension left Diana’s body at his words.
Trusting him completely.
Diana’s eyes slid shut, and sleep claimed her.
Talon stood, lifting her effortlessly into his arms.
Around them, Enzo and the warriors had fully secured the area. The remaining rogues were restrained or unconscious. Some of those Fenrir had fought looked pitiful-broken limbs, shredded bodies, but alive.
Fenrir had been right. Lost limbs wouldn’t kill them, but the pain would haunt them for the rest of their miserable lives.
Talon’s gaze lifted-cold, furious-and locked onto Alpha Asher.
“What kind of protection do you offer your pack members, Alpha Asher?” Talon demanded, his voice carrying across the clearing. “Fifteen fucking rogues and no one noticed them. Are your warriors blind?”
The words landed like a slap. Asher stiffened, his face flushing red with rage and humiliation. Around him, his warriors lowered their heads, shame etched clearly across their features.
An Alpha being spoken to like that-publicly, without restraint-was the equivalent of a pup being chastised.
But Asher had no defense, and no excuse.
His security had failed.
His warriors had failed.
And Diana had nearly died because of it.
Talon tightened his hold on her unconscious form, his expression unyielding.
This wasn’t over.
Not by a long shot.
Talon had not let go of her. Diana lay cradled against his chest, her body limp in his arms, her head tucked beneath his chin as if it belonged there. One of his hands was pressed firmly against her side, covering the worst of her wounds, while the other supported her back with careful strength-as though even the slightest wrong movement might shatter her.
Blood stained his forearms. Hers.
The scent of wolfsbane burned his lungs with every breath.
“Alpha King, this can wait.” Enzo’s voice cut through the clearing, steady and controlled, but unmistakably urgent. He spoke loudly enough for everyone to hear, his gaze moving deliberately from the restrained rogues to the surrounding wolves and finally settling on Talon and the unconscious woman in his arms.
“I will handle the rogues,” he continued. “They’ll be secured. Alive. And ready for interrogation when you decide the time is right. But right now-” His eyes hardened as they flicked to Diana’s pale face. “you need to take Luna Diana to a healer. She’s been poisoned. She’s hurt. And she needs you.”
Luna Diana.
The title echoed through the clearing like a declaration carved into stone.
No one argued.
No one corrected him.
Some wolves straightened instinctively. Others lowered their heads. A few shifted their stance, subtly angling their bodies outward, forming a living shield around Talon and the woman he held.
Talon felt none of it. His world had narrowed to the faint rise and fall of Diana’s chest.
‘She’s still breathing, Fenrir said inside his mind, his voice raw but controlled. ‘Slow. Shallow. But steady!
Talon tightened his hold reflexively, drawing her closer as if his body alone could keep her tethered to this world.
‘I know, he murmured. ‘I can feel her.’
He nodded once to Enzo without looking away, the motion sharp and final. Then-only then-did his gaze lift briefly, catching Alpha Asher where he stood frozen several paces away.
Asher looked as if he’d been struck from stone-bloodied, wide-eyed, his mouth half-open as though he wanted to speak but no longer knew what words he had the right to use.
Talon didn’t give him that right.
He turned away.
Without setting Diana down, Talon shifted-careful, controlled, protecting her even as bones cracked and fur surged over skin. Fenrir rose fully, Diana still cradled against his massive chest, her body dwarfed by the Alpha King’s wolf but guarded with unmistakable reverence.
Each stride ate the distance toward the pack healer’s quarters, his movements fluid despite the fury thrumming beneath his skin. Diana’s head lolled slightly with the motion, and Fenrir immediately adjusted, tucking her closer, slowing just enough to keep her stable.
‘She fought too long; Fenrir growled. ‘She didn’t stop until her body forced her.’
‘She was alone,’ Talon answered quietly. ‘That won’t happen again!
The scent of her blood was strong now-metallic, sharp, laced with the bitter poison that clawed at Fenrir’s instincts. Wolfsbane. Refined. Meant to kill.
And yet her wounds had stopped bleeding freely. The gash at her side was still angry and dark, but the blood had clotted. The torn flesh showed the faintest signs of knitting together.
‘Her wolf is healing her, Fenrir snarled, equal parts pride and rage. ‘Even poisoned!
‘Yes,’ Talon agreed. ‘And it’s costing her.’
They reached the healer’s clearing moments later. Fenrir shifted back into human form without hesitation, lowering himself carefully to one knee as soon as he could. He did not place Diana on the ground. Instead, he held her upright against his chest, one arm locked securely around her back.
The pack healer rushed forward, silver hair escaping her braid, eyes glowing faintly as she took in Diana’s condition.
“Lay her back slightly,” she instructed.
Talon adjusted instantly, easing Diana so she rested against his bent knee and chest, his arm still firm around her shoulders.
“Wolfsbane,” The healer’s hands hovered over Diana’s wound, her expression tightening, and she said grimly. “Strong. Enough to shut down most wolves’ healing entirely.””
Talon’s jaw clenched. “But it didn’t.”
“No,” the healer replied, wonder creeping into her voice. “It didn’t. I wonder if this is because she is wolfless.” She glanced up at him. “She is extraordinary. Her body is fighting the poison instead of yielding to it. Slowly, but relentlessly.”
‘She is strong, Fenrir bristled with pride. ‘She was made for me!
Talon looked down at Diana’s face-pale, bruised, lashes dark against her cheeks.
‘They are both strong,’ he said quietly that healer couldn’t hear. ‘But strength doesn’t mean she should have had to endure this alone.’
The healer began working quickly, applying herbs and poultices designed to counter the poison. Diana flinched faintly, a soft sound escaping her throat.
“I’m here,” “Talon’s grip tightened instinctively, and he murmured against her hair. “I’ve got you.”
A faint ripple brushed through the bond-weak, disoriented, but undeniably present.
Fenrir froze. ‘She feels us.’
“Diana,” Talon felf It too, and he said softly. “Stay with me.”
Her fingers twitched where they rested against his chest, curling slightly into the fabric of his shirt as if anchoring herself without knowing why.
The healer smiled. “Good. Keep talking. Wolves heal better when they feel safe.”
Talon didn’t look away from Diana as Enzo arrived, stopping a respectful distance away.
“The rogues are secured,” Enzo reported. “Three survived. They’ll talk.”
“Good,” Talon said, voice low and lethal. “They’ll regret surviving.”
Enzo nodded, then glanced at Diana. “She’ll live.”
Talon exhaled slowly, the breath shaky despite his control. “She will,”
Fenrir wrapped his presence protectively around them both, no longer raging-only vigilant.
Our Luna,’ Fenrir said quietly. ‘They will learn what it means to touch what is ours.’
Talon pressed his forehead gently against Diana’s temple, uncaring of who saw, of what it meant.
“Yes,” he said softly. “But tonight, all that matters is this.”
He brushed a reverent kiss against her hair. “She survives.”
And in his arms, Diana breathed-faint, fragile, but alive.
The next morning came slowly, filtering through the pack hospital in muted shades of gray and gold.
Diana woke to pain first. Not sharp, not blinding-but deep. The kind that settled into her bones and reminded her of every blow she had taken, every claw that had torn into her skin. Her body felt stiff, heavy, as if gravity itself had doubled overnight. When she tried to move, a quiet hiss slipped past her lips before she could stop it.
She forced herself to breathe. The scent reached her next-strong, earthy, unmistakable. Herbs. Freshly crushed leaves, bitter roots, healing salves layered over the sterile smell of clean linen and stone. That told her where she was even before she opened her eyes.
The pack hospital.
Diana slowly lifted her lashes.
White stone walls greeted her, softened by woven tapestries meant to calm injured wolves. Sunlight streamed in through the narrow window near the ceiling, catching motes of dust that floated lazily in the air. Her body was wrapped in clean bandages, each one snug and warm with healing energy still clinging to it.
She inhaled again and froze.
There.
That presence strong and teady. Familiar in a way that went deeper than scent or sound.
Talon.
Her head turned slightly, and her heart stuttered.
He was right there.
Seated beside her bed, broad shoulders hunched forward in a posture that looked almost… weary. One of his hands wrapped around hers, large and warm, his thumb resting protectively over her pulse. His head lay against the edge of the mattress, dark hair falling forward as he slept-truly slept, not just resting. The powerful Alpha King looked disarmed like this, vulnerable in a way few would ever witness.
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