He turned sharply. “Guards. Take him.”
Two warriors moved immediately, lifting Rafe to his feet as he sobbed openly, no resistance left in him.
Before they could take more than a step, Talon’s voice cut through the air like a blade. “Are you sure about that, Alpha?”
The Alpha King stepped forward, his aura flaring, Fenrir stirring dangerously beneath his skin.
“Because I am not satisfied,” he said coldly. “He is the reason my mate was hurt. And I want him dead.”
The guards froze.
Asher turned toward Talon, raising a hand. “He was manipulated, Alpha King, Hazel twisted him-“
A sudden, bone-chilling howl split the air.
Everyone turned.
One of the surviving rogues-still restrained-partially shifted, his wolf forcing through with a snarl, eyes glowing with feral awareness.
Then an answering howl echoed across the territory.
A response.
A signal. id in that moment, every wolf present understood the same thing: it was not over.
“My queen,” the rogue whispered, blood staining the corner of his mouth as he struggled to lift his head. His eyes-glasslike and already dimming-locked onto Diana with reverence that bordered on devotion. “I am so happy.”
The words startled the crowd.
Talon stiffened instantly, his grip tightening around Diana’s hand.
“Even if this is my last breath,” the rogue continued, voice trembling not with fear but with awe, “this is still the happiest day of my life. I met you… my queen.” A broken smile curved his lips. “The king will come for you. And I pray to the Goddess to grant you a long and happy life together.”
The air shattered.
“What are you talking about?” Talon roared, his voice merging seamlessly with Fenrir’s. The ground beneath their feet cracked as his aura surged outward, violent and territorial. “Diana is my mate. Mine.”
Fenrir prowled inside his mind, teeth bared, hackles raised.
‘Ours, the wolf snarled. ‘She is ours!
The rogue turned his head slowly, unafraid even as Talon’s power pressed down on him like a mountain.
“The silver wolf belongs to no one,” he said calmly. “It is the wolf’s choice who she will be mated to. Always has been. Always will be.” His gaze slid back to Diana. “The king will come for his mate.”
A low, dangerous growl tore from Talon’s chest.
“Who is this king?” He demanded, stepping forward. Every inch of him radiated lethal authority. “Tell me everything. Tell me the truth.”
He released his full alpha aura.
The force slammed into the rogue like a tidal wave. Several pack members staggered back, some dropping to one knee. The air itself seemed to scream.
All Talon could think was that there was someone out there-someone powerful enough to claim Diana.
‘No one takes her from us, Fenrir snarled, pacing violently inside Talon’s mind. ‘Diana and Artemis are ours. I will tear the world apart before I let anyone touch her!
The rogue coughed, blood spilling freely now, but he did not scream. He did not beg.
“Alpha King,” he said hoarsely, forcing the words past crushed lungs, “no matter how much force your command holds… no matter if I die a painful death…” His eyes burned with unwavering loyalty. “I will never betray my king. My body, my mind, my soul, my wolf are all pledged to him.”
Talon’s fury spiked.
The rogue shifted his gaze again, locking onto Diana with reverence so profound it unsettled everyone present.
My queen,” he said softly. “The king has been informed that you have been found. He will not stop until he has you
Diana inhaled slowly. She felt Artemis stir-not with fear, but with purpose.
“If what you say is true,” she said, her voice steady, “that it is my choice who I am mated to-” she lifted her chin, eyes glowing faintly, “then your king is already too late.”
Talon froze.
“I have chosen,” Diana continued. “And I chose Alpha King Talon.”
Fenrir went still.
Artemis rose fully inside Diana’s mind, her presence vast and ancient.
“Now,” Diana said, taking a step forward, gently slipping her hand from Talon’s grasp, “if you truly consider me your queen…” Her voice softened-but the power behind it deepened. “Tell me who is looking for me.”
Her aura unfurled.
Unlike Talon’s, it was not crushing.
It was inviting and wrapped around the rogue like moonlight, guiding rather than commanding-an irresistible pull that made secrets feel heavy, unbearable to keep. Artemis stood beside Diana in their shared mind, eyes blazing silver.
This was the first time Diana truly used her power.
The rogue gasped.
“My queen…” His body trembled violently as tears slipped from his eyes. “The Rogue King has been searching for you.”
A collective gasp echoed through the pack.
“When he learned what happened here,” the rogue continued, voice breaking, “how you were hurt… how your parents were murdered…” His fists clenched weakly. “And that rogues were used both times to harm you-“
His voice dropped to a whisper, “everyone in this pack will suffer.”
Talon’s blood ran cold.
“The king,” the rogue said, eyes rolling back slightly, “will show no mercy.”
The moment the words left his mouth, his body gave out. He collapsed forward, lifeless, the damage from Talon’s alpha aura finally claiming him.
Silence followed.
Talon stepped forward instantly, pulling Diana into his arms, his grip protective, possessive, unyielding.
“No king will take you from me,” he growled, Fenrir’s voice echoing through his own. “I don’t care who he is.
Diana related her forehead against his chest, Artemis standing tall within her.
“Let him come, Artemis murmured.
And for the first time, Diana didn’t feel hunted.
She felt ready.
“Alpha Asher,” Talon said, his voice calm but absolute, the kind that did not invite argument. “We will be leaving your pack tomorrow.”
The words landed heavily in the Alpha’s office. Silence followed-thick, suffocating, and laced with dread.
After the rogue collapsed and his lifeless body was carried away, Talon did not speak. He simply reached for Diana, his hand firm at the small of her back, guiding her forward as if daring the world to challenge his claim. Fenrir remained restless beneath his skin, pacing, snarling, ready to tear apart any threat that dared linger.
Diana walked beside him, her expression calm, but her mind was far from still. Artemis stood tall within her, silver eyes sharp, alert, absorbing everything. The truth they had uncovered clung to her like a shadow -there was a king out there who believed she belonged to him.
Behind them, Enzo followed in silence, his posture rigid, senses stretched thin. He did not miss the way Talon’s aura flared and receded in controlled waves, nor the way the pack members parted instinctively as they passed. Fear. Awe. Uncertainty. All of it rolled through the corridors they walked.
Asher brought up the rear.
The Alpha of the pack looked older now-heavier. Each step toward his office felt like a march toward judgment. His authority had not vanished, but it had cracked, and everyone knew it. Losing a Luna. Losing a Beta. Losing the trust of his pack. And now, harboring rot that had nearly destroyed everything.
The doors to the Alpha office closed with a solid thud.
The sound echoed louder than it should have.
Talon moved first, taking his place at the center of the room, his presence commanding without effort. The office-once Asher’s domain-felt suddenly smaller, as if it were bending under the weight of the Alpha King’s authority.
Diana stood at his side, close enough that he could feel her warmth, far enough that her independence was unmistakable.
Enzo leaned against the wall, arms crossed, eyes sharp, already calculating contingencies, reinforcements, exits.
Asher turned slowly, facing them.
The office smelled of old wood, ink, and stress. The walls were lined with trophies of past victories- reminders of strength that now felt hollow.
No one spoke.
Because everyone in that room understood one thing:
What had begun as an investigation had become something far more dangerous. And whatever decisions were made inside this office would ripple far beyond this pack.
The Stormi had not passed.
It had only just gathered.
Asher straightened, his jaw tightening as he nodded once. He knew better than to protest. He had already lost too much-his Luna, his Beta, and the trust of his people.”
“I will leave some of my royal guards here,” Talon continued, his piercing gaze never leaving Asher. “They will assist in maintaining order while your pack stabilizes. You will choose a new beta-someone worthy of the position this time.” His tone sharpened. “And you will work twice as hard to earn back the trust of your pack. Respect is not given freely, Alpha Asher. Once broken, it must be rebuilt-piece by piece.”
Asher bowed his head slightly, a gesture of submission and acknowledgment. “I understand, Alpha King. I will not fail again.”
Behind Talon, Diana shifted.
“We’re leaving?” she asked quietly, her voice cutting through the heavy silence.
“Yes,” Talon turned to her immediately, the edge in his expression softening. “You already knew this was coming, my mate.”
He stepped closer, lowering his voice so only she-and those close enough-could hear. “From the beginning, you told me you would not leave until you knew the truth about what happened to your parents. You wanted answers before you can come with me.”
Diana nodded slowly.
“And now,” Talon continued, “we know what happened. We know who was responsible. The one who orchestrated their deaths is gone.” His jaw tightened for a brief moment. “There is nothing left for you here -only danger.”
He lifted her hand, pressing it firmly against his chest. “We must return to Black Howler Pack. There, I can protect you fully. Not just with my strength, but with the strength of our entire pack.”
“I will come with you,” Diana said after a moment. Her voice was steady, resolute. “But as I’ve told you more than once. Talon, I can protect myself.”
Talon and Enzo exchanged glances. Nodded in agreement. They had seen her fight. They had seen her survive.
Talon smiled faintly, pride flickering in his eyes. “I know that,” he said. “I have never doubted your strength -not for a single heartbeat.”
His expression shifted then-deeper, more intense. “But that does not change my duty.”
He cupped her face gently, his thumb brushing her cheek. “You are my mate. My queen. Protecting you is not just instinct-it is my honor.”
Fenrir stirred beneath his skin, a low growl resonating through his words.
“No one,” Talon continued, his voice hardening with quiet fury, “not even the Rogue King, will take you away from me.
Diana felt Artemis rise within her, calm and fierce.
“I do not intend to be taken, she replied softly, meeting Talon’s gaze without fear. “I walk beside you-by choice.”
“Then tomorrow,” Talon leaned down, resting his forehead against hers, “we leave together.”
And as the decision settled over the room, one truth became clear to everyone present-
This was no retreat.
This was the beginning of a war.
‘My king, I have news
The heavy doors of the stone chamber groaned as they opened, echoing through the Rogue King’s private office. Beta Conall stepped inside, his posture-rigid, his head bowed in respect, but the urgency in his stride betrayed him.
Damon looked up sharply from the war table spread before him. Maps of territories, old pack borders, and marked danger zones littered the surface. Conall never entered without permission unless the matter was critical.
What is it?” Damon asked, his voice calm but edged with warning.
Conall swallowed once before speaking. “We heard a contact how from one of our subordinates,” he said carefully. “It was the signal howl, my king. The one used only when something… significant is discovered.” Damon straightened. His fingers curled slowly against the edge of the table. “Go on.”
The silver wolf has been found.”
The words barely finished leaving Conall’s mouth before Damon surged to his feet. “What?!”
His chair screeched violently against the stone floor before toppling backward with a loud crash. The sound echoed through the chamber, but Damon barely registered it. His heart pounded, his wolf stirring violently beneath his skin.
‘Where is she?” Damon demanded, crossing the room in two long strides. “Where is this wolf?”
Conall lifted his head just enough to meet his king’s eyes. “My king… we believe that wolf is already dead.”
The air in the room shifted-heavy, suffocating.
Damon froze.
“Dead?” he repeated slowly, the word tasting bitter on his tongue.
“Our deltas conducted an investigation,” Conall continued. “The wolf in question was among those captured by the Crimson Fang Pack during a recent incident.”
Damon’s eyes darkened. “Captured?”
“Yes, my king. According to the report, one of the captured wolves managed to escape. That wolf is currently being brought here by Dante.”
Damon’s hands clenched into fists. A low growl rumbled in his chest, vibrating through the chamber. He snarled. “Crimson Fang Pack dares to imprison my rogues?”
“The information I received,” Conall said carefully, “is that your rogues attacked their pack.”
Damon’s head snapped up. “That is impossible.”
Silence stretched between them. did not issue any order to attack Crimson Fang” Damon said, his voice cold and absolute. “Not one. We are not reckless animals.”
“I do not know what truly happened, my king,” Conall admitted. “But Dante will arrive soon. He was the one who recovered the escapee. We will have answers then.”
Damon turned away, staring at the darkened window overlooking the rogue settlement beyond the mountain. Lights flickered in the distance, wolves who lived in shadows, hunted by packs that refused to see them as anything but monsters.
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