Chapter 76 76
Venessa’s POV
“My wolf didn’t return the way she should have. Nyla came back fractured. I used to be a massive grey alpha mixed breed, but now… I’m only a werewolf. My Lycan half wasn’t reborn with me.”
He frowned deeply. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
I smiled faintly. “You’ve seen how people react the moment Lycans are mentioned. And my mother warned me never to shift said some people would kill me if they knew.”
My chest tightened, but I continued.
“When the Lycans kidnapped me, I learned my mother had been killed because of me. I don’t know the full reason, but I overheard their leader say they killed her for nothing because I convinced them I wasn’t her child, that she never had one.”
He pulled me into his arms without hesitation.
“Your secret is safe with me, Venessa,” he said firmly. “Is there anything else I should know?”
I shook my head. “No. I just want to understand why my mother and I were hunted and what crimes she supposedly committed while working for the Lycan King and Queen.”
He breathed in my scent, his hold tightening slightly.
“Then we’ll make time to visit the king,” he said. “He’s ill, and a visit is overdue anyway. I also need to assess his condition before deciding whether an alliance with his heir is necessary.”
I smiled at him.
“I’ll use that opportunity to ask questions,” he continued. “Maybe even ask the king about your mother carefully. I don’t think it’ll offend him.”
I stared at him, overwhelmed by how easily he accepted everything, by how willing he was to help me. It felt unreal. Like a dream I was afraid to wake from.
We spent the rest of the night and the early hours of morning lost in each other.
When I woke, I was still in Denzel’s arms. I blinked in surprise when I noticed trays of food arranged in the room.
“Good morning, darling,” he said, kissing me softly.
“I thought it best we eat in here. I don’t plan on going anywhere or doing anything other than making love to you all day. We’ve earned a break from the madness.”
I blushed.
“Then we’ll need our strength,” I teased.
He smiled and slipped out of bed. After a brief trip to the bathroom, he returned, lifted me effortlessly, and carried me into the bathing chamber. He lowered me into a warm bubble bath and joined me moments later. We washed each other slowly, kisses turning heated, until we were making love again.
Later, we returned to the room and ate together.
“Guess what?” he said as I buttered a piece of toast.
“What?”
“They’re renovating the master bedroom. New mattress, pillows, sheets everything. I ordered them to cleanse the room completely of Jalisa’s scent.”
I smiled, touched by the gesture.
“And I’ve ordered clothes for you,” he added, “but that’s not the surprise.”
I frowned, curiosity stirring.
“I called King Jamar’s former Beta this morning Ashani Wright. We’re welcome to visit next week. They’ll prepare a room for us to stay the night.”
My nerves flared. “What did you tell them about why we’re coming?”
He chuckled. “Relax. I didn’t mention your mother. I’m not foolish. They know about my divorce, so I said I wanted to present my new Luna to King Jamar.”
I smiled, reassured.
“That gives me space to ask questions especially about your kidnapping,” he continued. “It’ll naturally lead to your mother. And for what it’s worth, King Jamar is warm and jovial. The Queen is… less so. But you’re safe with me.”
I knew his urgency came from what I’d told him from the ticking clock hanging over us.
I watched him eat, memorizing him, and silently prayed he would have the strength to move forward when my time finally ran out.