Chapter 21 21
Denzel’s POV
Training had barely begun when I realized Rayon was missing. My gaze kept sweeping the grounds, searching for him, but he was nowhere to be found. The unease settled quickly, sharp and unwelcome. Not knowing where he was bothered me more than it should have. I didn’t want him anywhere near my mate.
Since what happened between Venessa and me in the woods, I had made up my mind to see this through properly this time. That was why I had slept in my office the night before. I knew, deep down, that if I touched Jalisa, Venessa would feel it. The bond between us had fully repaired, whole and unforgiving, and for that reason alone, I couldn’t inflict that pain on her again. So I stayed away from Jalisa, choosing distance and restraint, hoping no, determined to find a way to end my marriage without igniting a war with the werewolf king.
People shouldn’t die because I wanted to be with my fated. There had to be another way. And I intended to find it.
I finally spotted Rayon emerging from the garden.
“Proposed?” Tyrell asked casually.
Rayon shook his head. “Not yet.” His gaze flicked to me.
I frowned. Why hadn’t Venessa ended things with him already? Was she afraid to? The thought made me uneasy and ashamed. It was cowardly of me to expect her to clean up the mess I’d helped create. If she couldn’t do it, then I would have to.
“You should insist,” Tyrell added. “So no one takes her from you.”
Rayon looked at him with barely concealed disgust. “Why are you suddenly invested in my relationship, Tyrell? You don’t like her. You loathe her.”
Tyrell looked away, shame flashing briefly across his face. “I just know you care about her. I want to see you happy. That’s all.”
Rayon smirked. “Funny advice coming from someone who’s mated. Shouldn’t you be searching for your own special someone?”
Tyrell laughed. “Not interested yet.”
Rayon nodded, seemingly satisfied.
Then Venessa stepped out of the garden.
She greeted us politely and walked past without slowing. She didn’t look at Tyrell. She didn’t look at me.
“Where are you going?” I linked her.
“To my room,” she replied.
A growl stirred in my chest. “Meet me in the woods. Same place as yesterday. Nigel wants time with Nyla. I’ll see you in four hours.”
There was a pause just long enough to test my patience.
“Okay,” she finally answered.
Relief surged through me, bright and undeniable.
“Hurry, Denzel,” Nigel purred inside my head. “I can’t wait to spend time with my mate.”
I smiled inwardly.
Training was brutal and relentless, the kind that left no room for wandering thoughts. When it finally ended, I asked Rayon to speak with me privately. Tyrell claimed he had somewhere else to be, and I let him go.
In my office, I gestured for Rayon to sit. He did.
“There’s something I need to discuss with you,” I said.
He remained silent, attentive.
“It’s about Venessa,” I added.
He smiled faintly. “I know. She ended things with me today.”
I frowned. “Then why did you tell Tyrell”
He cut me off. “Tyrell is close to Jalisa. As long as they believe I’m still involved with Venessa, Jalisa won’t move against her.”
For a moment, I didn’t know whether to hug him or shake his hand. Elation surged through me, unexpected and overwhelming. Even in heartbreak, he was thinking of my happiness. Of Venessa’s safety.
Rayon was loyal to his core steadfast, selfless. I was proud to call him mine. If I was being honest, he deserved the title of Beta more than anyone. He was always there, no matter the cost. I owed him more than I could ever repay.
“You need to find a way to end things with Jalisa,” he said quietly. “It wouldn’t be right to keep hurting her. She cares about you even if she’s powerless. You’re the one who can change things.”
“I’m working on it,” I told him. “But I need this kept secret.”
He smiled and nodded. “Finding your fated doesn’t happen every day. Once Venessa explained it, I understood. Your secret is safe with me. But I wouldn’t trust Tyrell his loyalty to Jalisa runs deep. She keeps him close to watch you. Be careful. That woman is dangerously clever.”
I nodded, grateful beyond words. For the first time in a long while, I wasn’t carrying this alone.
After he left, I went straight to my room to shower.
Jalisa was there sitting on the edge of the bed, dressed in lingerie, tears streaking down her face.
The sight was… jarring. An odd choice of attire for grief.
“What’s happening to us?” she sobbed. “Ever since that girl arrived, you’ve been distant. You don’t touch me anymore. Three weeks, Denzel. Three weeks of nothing.”
I rolled my eyes and headed for the bathroom. Time was running short. Venessa was waiting.
I showered quickly, dressed in brown shorts, and moved for the door only to find Jalisa blocking my path.
“I want you to touch me,” she said firmly. “You are my husband. I demand it.”
I sighed, exhaustion weighing heavy in my chest. “You don’t love me, Jalisa. We both know that. And as for the army I’ve already told your father I won’t join him or wage war. What more do you want from me?”
She broke down completely. “I can’t leave even if I wanted to,” she cried. “I’m pregnant, Denzel. I’m not lying. Take me to any doctor you want. They’ll confirm it.”