Chapter 114 114
Denzel’s POV
Gambling with the existence of our world was unforgivable. Even if she claimed she had been forced into it by Eshera even if she insisted it wasn’t her fault that was still only her version of the truth. Somewhere along the line, she had either acted or failed to act in a way that gave the Goddess of Deception the opening she needed. Now that everything had spiraled far beyond control, of course she would paint herself as the innocent one.
I didn’t care about excuses.
All I cared about was survival.
Our world had to endure whatever destruction came next, and that was the side I stood on without hesitation.
“Do you think we could freeze my eggs now?” Venessa asked softly.
I stared at her, stunned. Those were her first words after the tears, after the shower after everything.
Then I laughed.
She giggled in response, the sound fragile but real.
“Family first?” I asked, brushing the tip of her nose with my finger.
She smiled and nodded. “Our future comes before anything else.”
I returned her smile, my heart tightening with both hope and resolve.
“After your coronation as Crowned Princess,” I said. “We’ll use the medical facilities in your father’s kingdom. Doctor Dwayne will come with us so everything is done safely.”
Her expression brightened as she nodded again. “Where are we going now?”
“To the assembly grounds,” I replied as she finished dressing. “The pack leaders are gathering. I need to address them and I need you beside me.”
She nodded, though a knowing smile tugged at her lips.
“I know what they’ve been saying about me.”
I frowned. “How do you know that?”
She laughed lightly. “Nyla told me.”
That answered more than one question. Nyla and Atabey were one and the same I was going to have to start adjusting to realities that no longer obeyed the laws of nature.
We made our way to the assembly grounds together. Anger simmered beneath my skin at the things that had been said, but I held it in check.
“Before I forget,” Venessa said quietly, “some pack members are missing. I didn’t see Ingrid or her friends at all yesterday.”
I frowned, committing it to memory. I would deal with that after I handled the crowd.
The assembly grounds were packed. It was astonishing to see how many of those who had been near death in the infirmary just a day ago now stood on their feet. Venessa’s subtle healing had spared her from blame without it, they might have turned on her in their grief and fear.
Silence swept through the crowd the moment they sensed me.
I mounted the stage with Venessa at my side, scanning the faces lifted toward us. Expectant. Wary. Hurt.
I owed them honesty.
“I want to begin by apologizing for my absence,” I said. “I left with Luna Venessa to secure the Lycan throne and restore our treaty to prevent future Lycan attacks. We never anticipated what happened here.”
Their expressions softened slightly, but their eyes still avoided Venessa. I knew why.
“I’ve been told what many of you said about my union with her,” I continued evenly. “You claimed we didn’t need her healing abilities yet here you stand, alive and well. My wife worked through the night to ensure every injured pack member received care.”
A ripple passed through the crowd.
“I do not regret marrying her. She is my fated. Jalisa is Tyrell’s fated. We are exactly where we were meant to be.”
I paused, letting my words settle.
“I’ve also heard that some of you believe aid could have come from elsewhere if I were still next in line for the werewolf throne. Yes, being king might have brought allies seeking favor, but it would not have protected us. It would only have brought more casualties.”
I met their gazes, one by one.
“Our neighboring packs were attacked just as we were. This is not the time for blame. It’s the time for unity. If we divide ourselves now, our enemies will defeat us easily. But together strong and focused we will endure.”
Murmurs rose.
“How can we be safe?” someone cried out. “Those creatures didn’t die. If the Lycan Queen honors the treaty, will they help us?”
I laughed softly.
“King Jamar has reclaimed his throne.”
The grounds erupted in cheers.
When calm returned, I smiled again.
“And that’s not all. Luna Venessa is the rightful and only heir to the Lycan throne. She will be Queen. I will be King through her.”
Stunned silence followed.
“Her coronation is on Sunday,” I continued. “Every member of this pack is invited. We’ll travel in convoy for protection.”
Disbelief flickered across their faces.
“Luna Venessa… is Lycan?”
“Half Lycan,” I corrected. “Half werewolf.”
Shock rippled outward then reverence.
One by one, they dropped to their knees.
The Lycan throne ruled above all others. No arguments. No doubts.
“Long live Princess Venessa and Prince Denzel!” they chanted.
They begged forgiveness. They pledged loyalty. Awe filled their eyes and joy.
We had risen in their hearts.
Sunday would merely confirm what had already been decided.
Venessa stepped forward, and Rayon silenced the crowd.
“There is an evil moving through our world,” she began but I knew it was Nyla speaking through her.
The kneeling crowd rose, transfixed.
“There is a new corruption among us. It did not want my bloodline to continue. That is why it branded me a witch because Denzel, my father, and I expelled it when it attacked us.”
Her voice was calm. Unyielding.
“Do not welcome their poison into your hearts. Do not drink from the cup of corruption. Do not open yourselves to possession.”
The air was heavy with silence.
“They will promise you long life but you will become living dead. They will promise immunity to silver but they will strip you of feeling. They will promise freedom from your Alpha and from my bloodline but you will lose your will and become slaves to their god.”
Her gaze swept the crowd.
“Do not let those who worship deception deceive you. Even their goddess cannot redeem the soul that follows them.”
Silence held.
I understood why Nyla spoke so plainly. The missing pack members had likely chosen the other side and they would return, seeking to recruit.
I agreed with her.
It was time to educate my people.
But first I would educate my officers.