Chapter 151 151
Denzel’s POV
I watched Venessa walk steadily toward Tremaine, and fear wrapped itself tightly around my chest. I knew deep down that whatever she intended to do would cost her everything. She had already said her goodbyes. Worse, she had shut me out of her mind completely.
Exhaustion weighed heavily on my body, yet desperation drove me forward. I fought like a rabid animal, fueled by terror and instinct. My mate was walking straight toward her death, and I was powerless to stop her.
Please, Atabey, I begged silently and aloud. Do not let this be the end. We have given everything. Please do not let this be it.
My vision swam, blurred by tears I could not stop, yet somehow I could still see Venessa clearly. I noticed then that the men had stopped attacking us. Instead, they formed a barrier, their sole purpose now to keep us from reaching her.
I heard King Fabian call out to her openly, fear unmistakable in his voice. But Venessa didn’t slow. She didn’t turn back. She didn’t listen.
She dropped to her knees before Tremaine, and he extended his hand to her.
I had no idea what she was doing but I knew, instantly, that this was not part of our plan.
She took his hand gently and pressed her lips to it.
And then I felt it the surge.
Venessa collapsed, her body hitting the ground lifelessly. At the same moment, Tremaine clutched his head and screamed, the sound filled with raw horror. Whatever was happening to him was violent and unnatural, as if something inside him was writhing, consuming him from within.
He screamed again and again until I saw cracks forming along his skin vein-like fissures glowing with an intense white light. The brightness grew unbearable, shining through his body as though he were breaking apart from the inside.
The light intensified until, in a blinding instant, Tremaine exploded.
The moment it happened, everything went dark.
There was nothing no sound, no sensation only endless, consuming darkness.
Then I opened my eyes.
I was in my room at the pack house.
A dull headache throbbed behind my temples as I slowly sat up. Turning my head to the left, I saw Jalisa sleeping peacefully beside me and immediately, something felt wrong.
She was wearing her nightdress. The one she used to wear when we were still married.
Confusion tightened my chest. What day was it?
Carefully, quietly, I got out of bed and reached for my phone. When the screen lit up and the date registered, my breath caught in my throat. I couldn’t even scream.
The date was unmistakable.
This was the third time I was reliving this day.
The day my men captured Venessa for trespassing. The day she had asked me for shelter.
How did this happen?
At that moment, a voice filled my mind calm, powerful, unmistakable.
“I have blessed my generals with new lives, Denzel. Your sacrifices on the battlefield were not in vain. You fought with devotion and laid down your lives for my sake, so I chose to reward you.
When Eshera was expelled from my world, I restored balance by giving my generals new lives free of limits and darkness. In this life, you will love until old age and raise your children in peace. Eshera will not exist here.
Only my generals will remember what happened. Venessa’s victory over Eshera gave me power, and this is how I chose to repay you. Live the life I have given you. Live it fully.”
Atabey.
Elated didn’t begin to describe how I felt.
Who would have ever imagined this outcome?
I was still processing everything when a sharp knock sounded at the door.
“Jalisa! Denzel!” Tyrell’s voice.
I glanced at the bed as Jalisa stirred, waking slowly. It took a moment before awareness settled in, and when it did, she bolted upright.
“What’s happening?” she asked, her voice thick with confusion and worry.
Tyrell continued pounding on the door. Jalisa and I exchanged a look, then both turned toward the sound. I gestured for her to open it, and she moved quickly.
The moment Tyrell stepped inside, he pulled her into a tight embrace, and they kissed without hesitation.
Atabey had said only her generals would remember. I realized then that she must have counted Tyrell and Jalisa among them as well.
“So… you remember what happened?” I asked.
They broke apart instantly.
Tyrell crossed the room and wrapped me in a strong, brotherly hug.
“We won, Denzel. We won the war. Atabey gave us second chances,” he said.
I almost laughed at myself for thinking I would need to explain anything to him.
Then his expression changed.
“Venessa?” he asked softly, concern darkening his eyes.
Sorrow swept through me.
I had watched her die on the battlefield. I doubted the goddess would send her back a third time. She had already been on borrowed time and whatever force had been hunting her from the underworld had surely claimed her.
I was about to answer when the head patrol officer linked me.
“Alpha, we found two women trespassing. Lycans were chasing them.”
My heart jumped.
Venessa?
Who was the second woman?
I grabbed a shirt and pulled it on.
“What is it?” Tyrell asked, but I didn’t answer. I was already moving.
I rushed through the hallway toward the entrance, my heart pounding with desperate hope. Tyrell and Jalisa followed close behind.
When I stepped outside, the sight before me stole my breath.
The beautiful Lycan princess was on her knees, her dark hair flowing freely around her shoulders.
Venessa.
Joy crashed over me so violently I nearly collapsed under it. No words, no actions could express the gratitude flooding my soul.
I rushed to her and, in front of everyone, recognized and accepted her as my mate.
I would not make the same mistake a third time.
This time, it was permanent.
I looked into her eyes and I knew.
She remembered me.
She remembered everything.
Then I turned my gaze to the woman beside her, studying her features carefully. She had Venessa’s nose, but the rest of her resembled King Jamar far more than Danisha Gordon ever had.
Understanding dawned.
This—this was a blessing beyond measure. The goddess had sent Venessa back far enough in time to save her mother.
It was perfect.
Tyrell and Jalisa stepped outside, joy written plainly on their faces when they saw Venessa. The world felt different lighter.
The darkness was gone.
Venessa and I headed to my room while I ordered that Danisha still confused be given a room of her own. Remembering how broken King Jamar had been when he believed she was dead, I made a mental note to take her to him after I finished worshipping my Luna.
Venessa and I entered our bedroom.
No words were needed.
We were happy.