Chapter 28 28
Denzel’s POV
“That’s a sign Jalisa may gain land, but never the people,” Rayon said.
Nigel surged with satisfaction at the words.
“Let’s not get ahead of ourselves,” I warned my wolf, and he answered with a low growl, unwilling to temper his excitement.
“Did you notice the way Fabian looked at Venessa?” Rayon asked.
I nodded. There had been no subtlety to it. The king had practically devoured her with his eyes. As we headed toward my office, I told Rayon about Fabian’s audacious request how he’d asked for Venessa as tribute. The disbelief on Rayon’s face said everything.
“Thank you, Rayon,” I said quietly.
He inclined his head. “I should get some rest.”
I walked him to the door so I could lock it behind him. The moment I opened it, regret punched me in the chest.
Jalisa stood there nightgown clinging to her, robe loosely tied, eyes red and shining with tears.
Had she heard us?
Rayon greeted her politely and moved past without hesitation.
“Where is she?” Jalisa demanded, pushing her way into my office. She was already searching, already accusing.
“You and Rayon must have some sick kink,” she shouted. “Sharing the same girl!”
I recognized it instantly another attempt to stain Venessa’s name.
“Get over yourself, Jalisa!” I snapped. “When will you stop trying to ruin Venessa’s reputation? She isn’t even here!”
She flinched at my tone.
“Come to bed,” she pleaded, desperation bleeding through her voice.
This was it. After everything Rayon and I had discussed, I was done avoiding the truth.
“No, Jalisa,” I said evenly. “I can’t. We don’t love each other, and there’s no point pretending anymore.”
Her composure shattered. She collapsed into a chair, sobbing.
“What about our baby?” she asked through tears.
I nodded once. “I’ll take care of you and the child. But don’t ask me to sleep with you. I can’t.”
“It’s Venessa, isn’t it?” she whispered.
I shook my head. “We both know it isn’t Venessa. You just choose to blame her.”
She cried harder.
“I’m not leaving,” she declared. “I’m your wife, Denzel. I’m staying right here.”
I said nothing.
“She’ll be gone in a few months,” Jalisa added bitterly. “And I’ll still be here.”
Then she stretched out on the couch.
“What do you think you’re doing?” I asked.
“Sleeping where my husband is,” she replied flatly.
That was when I caught it.
A scent familiar, wrong.
She’d showered, but it lingered, clinging to her skin. It wasn’t just hers. It was mixed with something else.
“Who were you with before you came here?” I asked quietly.
“No one,” she said too quickly.
I let it go for the moment.
The scent was foreign, layered strangely over hers. Pregnancy could alter a woman’s scent, but if that were the case, it should carry mine. Not someone else’s.
I couldn’t make sense of it.
“Let’s go to bed,” I said, leaving the office.
She followed me.
Back in the room, I showered and lay down. Jalisa moved closer, and the scent intensified.
Recognition hit like a blow.
Tyrell.
“You smell like Tyrell,” I said sharply.
She froze.
“You should stop rubbing yourself against him,” I warned. “It sends the wrong message.”
She said nothing.
My mind raced. Tyrell was my Beta. My second. I didn’t want to jump to conclusions but the evidence gnawed at me. Why would she carry his scent and not mine?
I would have to look into it. Carefully.
I hope they’re sleeping together, Nigel muttered. That would make leaving her easy.
“Enough,” I warned him.
Tyrell was my Beta.
He wouldn’t betray me.
…Would he?