Chapter 124 124
Denzel’s POV
We had just settled down to rest after hours of socialising when I noticed King Donovan making his way toward us. Instantly, my body went taut, every instinct sharpening.
“Congratulations, you two,” he said, bowing deeply.
For a heartbeat, I was stunned. This was the first time he had ever bowed to us. Once, it had always been Venessa and me lowering our heads in his presence but now, the balance of power had shifted. We stood above him.
“I am proud to say I knew from the very beginning, when your love first bloomed,” he continued.
I smiled, because he was right.
That night in his palace when we stayed under his roof had been the first time Venessa truly opened herself to me. It was where everything began. Where our bond took shape. I would always be grateful for that.
I remembered kneeling before them, laying bare the truth, begging Keon not to claim her. I would never forget how King Donovan had taken my side, how he had ordered Keon to forget Venessa entirely.
Had it come to it, I would have chosen war without hesitation rather than surrender her. But I was thankful Donovan’s decision had spared us that bloodshed.
We spoke briefly about minor matters before he excused himself, leaving us alone once more.
That was when King Fabian approached.
He wore displeasure like a poorly fitted cloak restrained, but unmistakable.
I remained guarded. No matter how much time passed, I could not forget how Eshera had manipulated him, using his ambition to fracture Atabey’s side. Fabian had ignited a war from within, crippling our forces and tearing down our defences. His actions had paved the way for Eshera’s army to sweep in and conquer what little remained, plunging the world into ruin.
As he drew closer, I braced myself for his sharp tongue.
“So,” he said, eyes flicking to Venessa, then to me, “you were Lycan all along.”
He neither bowed nor acknowledged her title whether through arrogance or deliberate defiance, I couldn’t tell.
“Why did you lie to me about her?” His voice carried a wounded edge.
“I was protecting her,” I replied without hesitation. “I knew how much you despised Lycans.”
He laughed.
“That’s not true, Denzel. She was your trump card. Your ace.” His gaze sharpened. “No wonder you refused to give her to me when I asked”
“I would advise you to watch your tongue.”
Venessa’s voice sliced through the air, calm but lethal.
“I will not excuse disrespectful remarks.”
Several nearby guests turned at the sound of her reprimand.
Straightening, Venessa raised her voice so all could hear. “Assuming my duties, I require a meeting with all werewolf and werebear Alphas together at the Lycan Parade Grounds, two days from now.”
The crowd erupted into murmurs.
“Enough!” she snapped, power lacing every word. “We are not children.”
Silence fell instantly.
“How dare we turn on one another?” she continued, rising to her feet. “Are we not all children of the Moon Goddess? Then why can we not meet as one?”
Her gaze swept the assembly.
“I have observed the way we live, and I am ashamed. Werewolves fighting werebears. Lycans bullying both while a far stronger force brews in the outlands.” Her voice hardened. “A force made up of werewolves, werebears, and Lycans alike. United. Moving as one.”
She paused. “Who do you think will lose when battle comes?”
No one answered. They didn’t need to.
“We will,” she said flatly. “We would destroy each other first, and all they would have to do is sweep in for the final blow. The Silver Forest clan has gained ground because of this foolish mindset.”
Her eyes locked onto King Fabian.
“As King of the Werewolves, you have failed spectacularly. You cannot govern your land or protect your people. Why should we trust you with our world?” Her words were merciless. “Charity begins at home, they say, and you have failed even there.”
She didn’t stop.
“This clan rose to power under your watch. They gained land and followers while you stood idle. Instead of protecting your people or neutralising the threat, you were busy scheming plotting how to claim the Lycan throne.”
A ripple of unease spread.
“For four days now, packs within werewolf territory including ours have been attacked. Some were left barely recognisable. Shadows of what they once were.”
She gestured around the gathering. “Have you noticed there are more werebear Alphas present than werewolf Alphas? Or were you too busy trying to discredit me so your ambition might still stand a chance?”
Her voice thundered. “When will you start acting like a king, Fabian?”
He had no answer.
Then she turned to King Donovan.
“And you,” she said, quieter but no less cutting. “Your peace and silence make you just as guilty. Instead of helping your neighbours, you closed your borders and dismissed this as a werewolf problem.”
She tilted her head. “It may surprise you to learn that the Silver Forest clan contains more werebears than werewolves. So no it is not a werewolf problem.”
King Donovan lowered his head.
“It is a collective one.”
She pressed on. “Have you considered that you are doing exactly what the enemy wants? Weakening werewolf territory first. And when they are done who do you think they will come for next?”
Again, the answer was obvious.
“Instead of confronting them together, we are allowing ourselves to be divided, weakened from within.”
Her jaw tightened. “I refuse to fall to a horde of undead abominations. I intend to reclaim our lands and our world.”
She drew a breath.
“So I advise King Donovan and King Fabian to put aside their childish behaviour and fulfil their duties. Our people are no longer safe. That must change.”
Her voice rang out. “Once more: all werewolf and werebear Alphas will meet at the Lycan Parade Grounds in two days’ time. We will eradicate the Silver Forest clans regardless of who they are or whatever sentiment they represent.”
Her gaze swept the crowd, heavy with command.
“Am I clear?”
The pressure was suffocating.
“Yes, Your Highness!” they answered in unison.
The weight vanished as suddenly as it had descended.
I stared at Venessa, pride swelling in my chest along with several very vivid plans for what I intended to do to her once we finally retired for the night.