Chapter 10 10
Denzel’s POV
“I am not afraid of your father, Jalisa,” I said coldly. “I respect him just as I respect the Lycan King. When he gave you to me, I accepted this union out of respect, not fear. So hear me clearly now: do not ever threaten me with your father again.”
She shook her head, defiance flashing through her tears.
“You will regret going against him.”
That made me laugh short and humorless.
“You think I don’t know why your father pushed for this marriage?” I asked. “It wasn’t for your happiness, Jalisa. It was so he could gain access to my army.”
Her eyes widened.
“For the entirety of our marriage, he has tried to convince me to join him in attacking the Lycan King. I refused every time because I hold no grudge against him, and he is my king as well. Your father also knows I am next in line for the werewolf throne. By marrying you to me, he hoped to keep his bloodline in power through our child.”
I stepped closer, my voice low and sharp.
“I am not stupid. I accepted Venessa’s rejection because I was already married to you and I would never cheat on my wife.”
She flinched.
“Leave that girl alone, Jalisa. She is no concern of yours. Focus on your duties as Luna. As it stands, you have lost the people’s respect. Regain that rather than poisoning yourself with bitterness over Venessa.”
She stared at me, stunned. It was clear she hadn’t known her father’s true motives. The realization saddened me. He had used his own daughter as a pawn.
Had I known his intentions earlier, I would have rejected the union outright. I only uncovered the truth last year when he boldly suggested we strike the Lycan Kingdom while the king lay sick in bed. The audacity of that request had unsettled me. Jalisa bringing it up repeatedly during intimacy made me realize I was being pressured in subtle, calculated ways.
It was my Gamma who uncovered the full scope of their plans.
My refusal made it clear to King Fabian Lawrence that I was not a man he could control married to his daughter or not. King Jamar Morrison was like a father to me. I prayed for his recovery, because if he died, war would follow. With no heir, every powerful shifter would rise to claim dominance.
As I headed for the door, Jalisa asked where I was going.
“Breakfast,” I replied, walking away.
I knew she wouldn’t dare show her face in the hall after Alesha’s confession.
When I entered the dining hall, the murmuring died instantly. I smiled faintly and told them it was fine to talk about what had happened, then took my seat beside Tyrell, my Beta.
Venessa was serving Rayon at his request, and Nigel would not stop growling inside my head. He was furious and confused.
“Good morning, Alpha,” she greeted softly, her head bowed.
She didn’t look at me. This time, she kept her distance.
I couldn’t blame her.
She had almost been executed because of my wife. Still, I knew she was no fragile thing. I was almost certain she was the one who had returned the necklace to Alesha’s room. It spoke of intelligence and strength.
Rayon couldn’t keep his hands to himself, touching her at every opportunity. Nigel went feral.
So I did the only thing I could.
“Venessa Gordon,” I said formally.
She stopped at once and bowed her head.
“See me in my office. Now.”
I stood and walked away without looking back. I heard her footsteps behind me, felt Nigel surge with anticipation at the thought of being alone with her.
After what Jalisa had done, I decided I would give what remained of our stubborn bond a chance. If we couldn’t be mates… perhaps we could at least be something else.
I entered my office and took my seat behind the desk. Venessa followed and closed the door at my request.
I studied her, then smiled. She looked back at me cautiously.
“Why didn’t you come to me and tell me Alesha was trying to frame you?” I asked.
Her eyes widened.
“Don’t pretend with me, Venessa,” I continued. “Alesha placed the necklace beneath your mattress and you returned it to hers. I knew you’d been set up the moment it was found under her bed. I let things unfold because I wanted the truth.”
She swallowed.
“Explain exactly how it happened,” I ordered. “And tell me the truth.”
She nodded.
The woman was mischievous. I found that I liked it.
“I was hiding in my closet, trying to avoid morning duties,” she began. “Then I heard someone enter my room. I looked through the vent in the door and saw it was Alesha. I was afraid of her, so I stayed silent.”
Her hands trembled slightly.
“I watched her place something under my bed. After she left, I checked it was jewellery. I didn’t know what to do, but I knew she was setting me up. So I returned it to her room and placed it beneath her bed.”
She dropped to her knees.
“I was scared, Alpha. I didn’t understand why she would do that. When it was announced that the Luna’s necklace was missing, I knew if I spoke up, they would say I stole it and planted it in Alesha’s room. So I stayed silent, hoping the truth would come out.”
Tears welled in her eyes.
“I had no one to tell.”
I believed her. Her story filled every gap.
“Why didn’t you tell the Gamma?” I asked, needing to understand her relationship with Rayon.
“I couldn’t,” she said quietly. “I can’t confide in him.”
Nigel purred with satisfaction.
“No matter the issue, Venessa,” I said firmly, “I want you to come to me. Always. Even if it concerns people close to me. I promise I will investigate.”
I held her gaze.
“Can you do that?”
She nodded, wiping her tears.
I wanted to cross the room. To touch her. To take her.
We should be taking care of her needs, Nigel growled.
I forced him back.
“You may go,” I said abruptly before I lost control.
She left the office.
Send Jalisa back to her father, Nigel snarled. Take our mate.
“No,” I replied. “Jalisa is my Luna. I will not betray her.”
Nigel retreated into the depths of my mind.
Even though we both wanted Venessa… it was already too late.