Chapter 134 134
Venessa’s POV
“I did not believe Venessa was fit to rule us,” Orville said from his knees, his voice trembling. “And Denzel already had issues with King Fabian. Alpha Tremaine told me it was a lie that he did feel connected to Venessa, and that she had forced the King to name her successor as payment for healing him.”
The explanation sounded twisted even as he spoke it.
“He said it was desperation on the princess’s part,” Orville continued, rushing now. “That the Blood Moon pack was already revolting against her blaming her for weakening their influence and diminishing their relevance. He said Denzel, having lost the werewolf throne after divorcing the werewolf princess, would simply gain the Lycan throne through her. That it was all manipulation.”
The room was heavy with silence.
“Are you certain that was truly your reason?” my father asked quietly.
Orville nodded, still kneeling, his shoulders slumped.
“I doubt it,” my father said flatly.
He rose from his seat, his gaze sharp and unyielding.
“In your mind, Tremaine was always the rightful king not me. That is why you did what you did. Not because you believed my daughter incapable, and not because of politics or desperation. You said it yourself before she corrected your thinking. You claimed the Morrison bloodline had been stripped of divinity by mortality that your goddess had created a new bloodline.”
My father’s voice hardened.
‘Who are we,’ you asked, ‘when compared to a demigod?’”
Orville flinched.
I knew my father was right. Those words had been spoken in ignorance but they had been believed. And belief was far more dangerous than malice.
“I will not dwell on what poisoned your thoughts,” I said calmly, stepping forward. “But in exchange for your life, I want everything. A complete list of those you whispered to. Our enemy’s plans. Their hideouts. Every detail you possess.”
I met his eyes.
“In return, I will not only spare your life I will restore what was taken from you and drive the darkness out.”
Fear flickered across his face.
“I cannot reveal my location,” he whispered. “If I do, my household will be slaughtered.”
I laughed softly.
“The same applies to you, Elder. If you refuse me, I will erase your lineage from existence.”
His breath hitched.
“The Moon Goddess rules with compassion,” he protested weakly.
“Desperate times,” I replied evenly. “Demand desperate measures.”
I took the chains from the guards, blessed them, and handed them back.
The moment they bound Orville’s wrists, he screamed raw, unfiltered agony tearing from his throat.
“Life and death cannot coexist in the same body,” I said calmly. “One must leave for the other to remain. The pain will cease only when life fully returns to you. Until then, consider it time to reflect and an incentive to cooperate.”
I stepped back.
“Take him away. Lock him in a cell flooded with ultraviolet light day and night. It is only fitting that we bring the sun to Elder Orville, so his future may be as bright as the one he envisioned while betraying us.”
A few nervous giggles rippled through the room.
Orville was dragged away, begging.
He had wanted absolution without consequence. Forgiveness without truth.
“What do we do now?” my father asked once the doors closed.
“He will talk,” I replied. “For now, we prepare for war and we begin developing weapons infused with ultraviolet light.”
Confusion crossed my father’s face as the elders resettled.
“Ultraviolet light is necessary to kill them,” I explained. “That was what my body emitted during the first attack.”
Realisation dawned in his eyes.
“Why didn’t you tell us this earlier?”
I shook my head.
“Because I didn’t know. Not until Fabian described the conditions of his arranged meeting with Tremaine. Orville had warned him that Tremaine would not appear while the sun was high. That was when I understood he inherited his mother’s weakness.”
I continued steadily.
“Only one component of sunlight is absent from artificial light ultraviolet radiation. Her descendants carry her life force, and with it, her vulnerabilities. That, combined with the fact that all attacks occurred at dusk or before dawn, confirmed it.”
My father nodded slowly.
“How did you figure it out?”
Denzel linked me then, amusement brushing my mind.
I smiled.
“I didn’t. Nyla did. She connected the dots just now.”
I felt him restraining his laughter.
“So we build an army?” Elder Craig asked, already leaning forward.
“Yes,” I said firmly. “Every Alpha has been instructed to raise warriors within their territories. The kings will unite them into a single force werewolves and bears alike. That army will merge with ours.”
My voice sharpened.
“The war will not end until Tremaine and everything carrying Eshera’s life force is destroyed.”
Craig nodded solemnly.
“How can we assist?”
“Guard your hearts,” I said. “Watch your thoughts. Be wary of whisperers those who tempt with desire, fear, or ambition. Educate your people to do the same.”
I paused.
“When the time comes, all non-combatants will be moved underground to secured locations known only to us. We have three months to prepare.”
The weight of it settled over them.
“The winter solstice is approaching,” I added. “After that, the sun weakens and Eshera’s army grows stronger.”
They agreed without hesitation.
Inside, irritation simmered.
Atabey knew all of this and yet I was learning it alongside everyone else, my mouth used as the messenger.
Nyla remained silent, but I knew we would have words later.
Still, one truth stood firm.
I had learned more in this room through confrontation, fear, and confession than I ever had in solitude.
And knowledge, now, was our sharpest weapon.