Chapter 116 116
Denzel’s POV
Everyone rose and moved to their duties. Rayon and Devon exited the office first, already deep in discussion. Tyrell and Jalisa, however, stayed behind.
Without a word, they dropped to their knees and bowed their heads, exposing their necks in a gesture of submission and respect toward Venessa and me.
“We cannot give you back the life you lost,” Tyrell said quietly. “But we are grateful that the Goddess granted you a second chance. Please… forgive Jalisa and me for everything we did to you.”
Anger surged through me so suddenly that I clenched my fists to keep it contained. The reminder of Venessa’s shortened lifespan slammed into my chest like a blade. They would live. They would survive the war and grow old, while I would be left behind forced to endure a future without my mate.
The unfairness of it nearly broke me.
“It’s fine,” Venessa said calmly. “Just make sure you never open yourselves to corruption again.”
They bowed once more, rose, and excused themselves.
The moment the door closed behind them, I pulled Venessa into my arms and kissed her fiercely desperately.
“I’m sorry for what happened today,” I said against her lips. “I spoke without thinking.”
She leaned back slightly, studying my face, then shook her head.
“You have nothing to apologize for. You were right.” Her expression softened. “I wish I could stay too. Truly. But we’ll make the most of what we have.”
Her hand cupped my cheek.
“I can’t wait for my coronation so we can move forward with the surrogate plan,” she continued gently. “You’re going to be an incredible father, Denzel. I feel it in my soul.”
I kissed her again, slower this time.
The tension we’d carried since arriving finally cracked. I laid her back on the couch and focused on giving her pleasure—on memorizing her, grounding myself in her presence.
Then, as I fastened my trousers afterward, Rayon’s voice cut sharply through my mind.
Alpha, we’re under attack again.
My stomach twisted. Venessa’s eyes flared gold as she looked up at me.
“They shouldn’t be engaging now,” she said and I knew instantly it was Nyla speaking through her.
She rose from the couch and smoothed her skirt. “Let’s go.”
I followed without hesitation. No one else could kill those things the way she could.
We burst outside into chaos.
The Silver Forest clan wasn’t particularly strong but creatures that were difficult to kill didn’t need numbers to be devastating. Venessa partially shifted and moved straight into the fray.
What she did to the first attacker was brutal.
She slammed it into the ground, drove her claws into its chest, and tore its heart free.
The battlefield froze for a split second shock rippling through everyone who witnessed the raw force of it. Venessa didn’t pause.
She decapitated the next attacker in one fluid motion, then another. I watched her fall into a deadly rhythm, cutting down every creature that came within reach.
I joined her, letting the power surge through me. I tore heads from bodies with savage efficiency. Jalisa fought nearby, her blade flashing as she severed necks, pure fury blazing in her eyes.
The attack failed.
We made certain no one escaped.
I had no doubt they regretted attempting it twice.
A second strike meant desperation. It meant they were trying hard to destabilize my pack.
And it meant Venessa and I were doing something right.
I noticed she hadn’t used the light this time. I suspected Atabey didn’t want Eshera to sense her presence. Venessa fought as a Lycan alone raw, lethal, precise.
As the adrenaline faded, a soft breeze brushed past me. A whisper followed.
Look.
I turned instinctively toward the sound.
Near the border of the woods, a woman from the service department stood beside a tree.
Something about it felt wrong.
Rayon had ordered most of the women into the bunkers for safety. Why was she there?
I didn’t dwell on it. I immediately linked Devon and sent guards to retrieve her. A deep, instinctive certainty told me she needed to be restrained.
I watched as she struggled against them while they dragged her forward.
Venessa stepped up beside me.
“I see you caught one of Alesha’s minions,” she said with a knowing smile.
Understanding clicked into place.
“Was she missing?” I asked.
Venessa nodded. “The intruders came through the woods. She may have guided them in without triggering any alarms.”
Anger flared hot and sharp.
When the guards forced her down in front of me, I ordered her to kneel. She complied immediately.
“What were you doing out there?” I demanded.
She hesitated long enough to fabricate a lie.
I could still feel the bond. She was still part of my pack.
“I was trying to run away,” she sobbed.
It might have sounded believable if I didn’t know she and her mistress, Alesha, had been missing since the first attack.
“Are you sure about that?” Venessa asked coolly.
The woman nodded.
“Then where were you between yesterday and now?” Venessa pressed.
“I was around… there were so many wounded”
I didn’t remember raising my hand.
The sound of the slap echoed across the clearing.
I had never struck a woman before. But this one had earned it.
Lying to me was an insult. She was still connected to me she should have known I would feel the deception. I knew when my pack lied.
“Kimberly,” Venessa said softly, her tone edged with menace. “This is your last chance.”
Kimberly swallowed hard.
She knew there was no escape.
Whoever had used her had abandoned her to face the consequences alone.