Chapter 37 37
Venessa’s POV
The commotion outside was impossible to miss.
Word had already spread through the pack the bears were challenging us. If it escalated into an all-out battle, women and children would be evacuated immediately. Even the medical staff were being ushered to safety, yet somehow, I wasn’t included among those allowed to hide. I was relieved by that. Truthfully, even if they had ordered me away, I wouldn’t have gone. Hiding had never been in my nature.
Tonya now officially my assistant and I made our way toward the source of the unrest. When we arrived, I saw Denzel standing his ground, trying to reason with an enraged Alpha. From the bear’s accusations, Denzel had supposedly sent warriors north to slaughter his people.
I didn’t need to think twice. I knew whose hand this truly was.
The king’s.
But why hadn’t it led back to him?
“Alright,” Denzel said at last, his voice steady despite the tension thick in the air. “Take a portion of the northern land as retribution.”
Jalisa exploded instantly.
“You have no right to give away what belongs to me, Denzel! That land was given to me by my mother!”
“We’re not giving all of it,” Denzel replied calmly, turning to face her. “Only a portion. Would you rather they attack us? I don’t want bloodshed. It’s unnecessary especially over a misunderstanding.”
Then he faced Alpha Keon once more, his posture respectful, almost pleading.
“Please, take part of the land while I investigate what truly happened. I don’t want war. Please.”
Alpha Keon shook his head slowly.
“Land will not pacify my people. I will take this matter to my king. Your king cannot do as he pleases.”
A cold knot settled in my chest. I could feel disaster looming. If this spiraled further, Denzel would be forced into war on Fabian’s side whether he wanted it or not.
I wasn’t ready for that.
I closed my eyes briefly, whispering a silent prayer for peace, for resolution, for anything that would stop what was coming.
“I believe you had no hand in this,” Alpha Keon said finally, his voice still rough with anger. “But if it happens again, we will not talk. Put your house in order.”
Denzel bowed his head slightly in acknowledgment. I could feel the weight of his worry even from where I stood.
“Please,” Denzel added, “did you capture any of the culprits? I would like to question them.”
The bear alpha growled low in his chest. Moments later, a deep, feral sound tore from him as someone emerged from the crowd, dragging a naked man bound in silver chains.
My breath caught.
He was an officer in Denzel’s army.
How in the world had he ended up in this mess?
“Healer Venessa,” Denzel said quickly, “please attend to Alpha Keon. He’s injured.”
I nodded and stepped forward. The truth was, he didn’t need my help his body was already healing itself but Denzel needed to show goodwill. Kindness mattered in moments like this.
Alpha Keon studied me for a long moment.
“You’re not from around here, are you?”
Denzel cleared his throat sharply.
“She’s our pack’s healer,” he said at once, protective as ever.
I bit back a laugh. Even now, he was still that man shielding me without realizing it.
My gaze drifted briefly to Beta Tyrell. After everything I’d overheard between Jalisa and her father, suspicion gnawed at me. I couldn’t shake the feeling that Tyrell was involved. He had already helped the werewolf king poison an alpha once setting Denzel up and forcing him into war wouldn’t be beyond him. I could be wrong… but my instincts had never failed me before.
Rayon met my eyes. I nodded at him and offered a small smile.
I led Alpha Keon to the infirmary, tending to the claw wounds across his chest while Tonya assisted me with practiced hands.
“The man is smitten with you, Venessa,” Tonya linked, her tone light despite the tension around us.
I sighed. She always noticed everything.
“Aren’t they all?” I linked back.
We almost laughed almost but the gravity of the situation kept it lodged in our throats.
Two days later
I sat alone by the lake deep in the woods, staring at the water without truly seeing it.
I was no closer to exposing Jalisa or the treacherous Tyrell. They were careful, elusive, always one step ahead. I didn’t know what to do anymore, and the fear of failing settled heavily in my chest.
I wished desperately that I could tell Denzel the truth. That I could lay everything bare and know he would believe me.
Rayon knew… but knowing wasn’t enough to save me.
And as the water rippled softly before me, I wondered how long I could keep fighting this battle alone.