Chapter 48 48
Denzel’s POV
“The dispute has been settled,” I said evenly. “Keon needed Venessa to help treat someone. That’s the reason we stayed the night.”
Tyrell nodded, visibly relieved.
“Glad to hear it,” he said, before moving to the couch. His posture told me he wasn’t done talking.
“What’s wrong?” Rayon asked, catching the tension immediately.
Tyrell hesitated, then spoke. “King Fabian sent word. He wants us at the palace immediately. He’s displeased that you chose to dialogue with King Donovan instead of involving him. He feels slighted believes you’re overstepping, even trying to take his position.” He exhaled. “I think it’s best we go, explain ourselves, then regroup. I know you’ve just returned, but the sooner we handle this, the better.”
I shook my head. “We’ll visit him tomorrow. Today, I have paperwork to deal with, and we still need to uncover who issued the false order to attack the bears. I doubt they’ll be merciful a second time.”
That ended the discussion. I dismissed everyone. Jalisa lingered, clearly unhappy, but I was firm. Eventually, she left.
The rest of the day passed with me locked in my office, replaying everything I had learned and carefully mapping out how I would deal with Jalisa and Tyrell. I wanted them gone out of my life so I could finally have peace. So I could live the life I wanted with Venessa.
I was determined to convince her to stay.
I knew she wouldn’t leave if she was truly happy.
The next morning, I prepared to visit King Fabian. Jalisa insisted on accompanying me, and I allowed it. As we set out, it struck me that I couldn’t expect mercy from Fabian. He was already scheming against King Jamar and King Donovan. I was merely an Alpha expendable if I stood in his way.
This time, I wasn’t going to be passive.
The drive was silent. Jalisa sulked, clearly upset that I hadn’t slept in her room. She had tried to persuade me to bring Venessa along, but I refused outright. Whatever she had planned for my mate, I knew it wouldn’t be good. I wasn’t about to expose Venessa to that.
Eventually, Jalisa dropped the subject and resorted to complaining aches, discomfort, vague hints. As it stood, I doubted she was pregnant, and even if she was, I doubted the child was mine. I resolved to have her tested quietly. If she intended to use a pregnancy to stall or manipulate me, I would be ready.
We arrived at King Fabian’s palace and were ushered into a small waiting room. Jalisa immediately curled into my arms. The contact made my skin crawl, but I let it happen.
I looked up and met Tyrell’s gaze.
For a split second, jealousy burned openly in his eyes.
He masked it with a smile. I returned it calmly. That single reaction told me everything I needed to know. I had never doubted Venessa or Rayon, but this erased even the faintest trace of uncertainty.
Without warning, King Fabian stormed into the room.
Rage rolled off him in suffocating waves.
We stood immediately, bowing our heads in respect, but he had no interest in formalities. I already knew why he’d summoned me.
“How dare you jump protocol, Denzel?” he roared. “Have you no respect for your king? You had no right negotiating with Donovan without me. Do you think being married to my daughter gives you the freedom to act as you please?” His voice shook with fury. “Do you know how infuriating it was to learn you settled the matter and handed over my daughter’s land? How dare you!”
I met his gaze, steady and unflinching.
“With all due respect, Your Majesty, we both know how this would have ended if you’d handled it. I had no intention of going to war. You would have escalated the situation until a manageable issue became a full-scale conflict. And when that war began, I would be the one leading it.” I paused. “I will not risk my life or the lives of my warriors over something that could be resolved with an apology. So yes, Your Majesty I will jump protocol if it means preserving peace.”
He crossed the space between us in seconds and struck me.
The blow landed hard, but I didn’t move.
“So you gave away my daughter’s land instead of that bitch, Venessa?” he snarled.
I shook my head slowly. “Alpha Keon required Venessa’s services, and she rendered them. The land was part of his terms.”
His eyes burned. “So if they demand my daughter tomorrow, you’ll hand her over too?”
I met his stare.
I was holding back my temper with everything I had, but the moment had come.
It was time to speak my truth.