Filed to story: Diana Nightshade and Alpha Talon Ravenwood Book PDF Free
“And the second.” Diana continued, “was for the mother.”
Gasps echoed around them.
“I hope you learned your lesson,” Diana finished. “But if you have not, am more than willing to provide further instruction.”
Vanessa stared at her as if seeing her for the first time. “You do not have the right! Wait until my father hears about this!”
The pup’s mother visibly flinched at the mention of Vanessa’s father. So he truly was influential.
“I have every right,” Diana did not blink and said steadily. “As Talon declared, I am the Luna of this pack. You struck one of my members and pushed a defenseless pup because he accidentally bumped into you.”
She stepped closer. “One thing you must understand about me, Vanessa. I protect my pack. And I do not care who your father is.”
Vanessa’s face flushed with fury. “You-“
“What is going on here?”
Talon’s voice cut through the tension like a blade.
The Alpha King stepped into the clearing, his aura heavy and commanding. Royal guards flanked him.
“Alpha,” Vanessa’s expression shifted instantly, and she said quickly, “This wolf struck me without cause. When my father hears about this, he will not be pleased.”
She expected protection, but Talon walked straight past her and stopped beside Diana.
His presence settled protectively at her side.
Vanessa faltered.
“This wolf,” Talon’s eyes turned icy as they fixed on Vanessa, “is my mate. My Luna. You will respect her title, or you will leave my pack.”
“B-but-“
Talon ignored her. He looked at Diana instead, his expression softening slightly. “What happened, mate?”
Diana kept her voice steady. “This pup accidentally bumped into her while playing. Vanessa pushed him down. When his mother came to help him, Vanessa struck her.”
Talon’s jaw tightened.
“So I came,” Diana continued, “and I slapped her. She said she was teaching the pup a lesson because his mother could not. So I slapped her again to teach her not to harm defenseless wolves. I do not care who her father is. I will never tolerate anyone hurting a pup.”
“You dared strike a pack member?” Talon turned slowly to Vanessa. His voice was deadly calm. “Strike a pup?”
“I was teaching them to be more careful-“
“And you believe you have the right to discipline my pack?” Talon’s eyes darkened. “Vanessa, you will leave my territory immediately. You are no longer welcome here.”
The park collectively gasped.
“What? You cannot do that! Vanessa snapped.
“I can,” Talon said simply. “I am the Alpha King. And you are in my territory.”
He turned to the guards. “Escort Vanessa out of my pack.”
“Right away, Alpha King,” they responded, stepping forward.
Vanessa struggled briefly but quickly realized resistance was useless. She shouted as she was escorted away. “You will regret this!”
No one responded.
Talon watched until she disappeared from sight, then he turned to Diana, who had already knelt beside the pup. Her entire demeanor had shifted-no longer fierce, but gentle.
“Are you alright?” she asked softly.
The pup nodded shyly, hiding partially behind his mother.
“You must answer the Luna,” the mother urged nervously.
Diana shook her head gently. “It is alright. He is frightened. I understand.”
She looked at the mother. “Do you need a healer?”
“No, Luna. I am fine. Thank you.”
Talon stepped forward, offering Diana his hand to help her stand.
“You should still visit a healer,” he told the mother firmly. “If the pup was pushed, it is better to be certain.”
“Yes, Alpha. Thank you,” the mother said gratefully before hurrying away with her son.
The park remained quiet, wolves watched Diana differently now.
Not just as the Alpha’s mate, but as a protector.
Selene stepped forward slowly, pride evident in her eyes.
Willow grinned openly. “You just banished Vanessa.”
Diana glanced at Talon, and she asked quietly. “Was that too much?”
Talon looked at her as if she had said something absurd.
“You protected a pup, and you upheld my authority. And you made it clear that cruelty will not be tolerated. “He brushed a strand of hair from her face. “You did exactly what a Luna should do.”
Around them, wolves began bowing their heads-not out of obligation, but out of respect.
And for the first time since stepping into Black Howler territory-
Diana truly felt like their Luna.
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.”
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.”
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.”
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.”
“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.
“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.”
