Chapter 43 43
Denzel’s POV
I couldn’t stop watching Venessa during the drive to the bear kingdom.
The question burned quietly in my mind how had she managed to keep so much from me? And yet, when I thought about it honestly… would I have believed her if she had told me?
Knowing she was my fated mate, knowing the bond between us had stubbornly refused to break, would I not have assumed she was simply trying to get rid of Jalisa? I could understand why she’d been afraid. Anyone in her position would have been.
Tonya had long since fallen asleep, her head tilted against the seat. Venessa, on the other hand, was painfully aware of me. She avoided my gaze with deliberate care, staring out the window or down at her hands.
I had chosen the bus intentionally, positioning us so the four of us sat facing one another. After a while, I leaned forward and reached for Venessa’s slender hand.
She startled, eyes snapping to mine in shock.
I smiled softly. “Can’t I hold your hand?”
Her gaze darted around the bus first to Tonya, deeply asleep, then to Rayon. Only when she realized neither of them was paying attention did she hesitate.
“I’ll make this right, Venessa,” I said quietly, my thumb brushing over her skin. “I promise. Just… hang in there for me.”
She looked at me, confusion clouding her expression.
“When we get back,” I added, releasing her hand with reluctance, “you and I need to talk.”
Letting go of her felt wrong. The moment I touched her, a deep, steady calm had settled over me something I hadn’t felt in a long time. I wanted to pull her into my arms, to hold her and never let go.
But there was no guarantee I could keep my distance once we returned.
I would try if only for the sake of her honor and reputation. The right thing would be to reject and divorce Jalisa before claiming Venessa properly. I just hoped I would have enough time to show her why she shouldn’t leave.
The bus slowed as we approached a Lycan roadblock. Because I was the one passing through, and because of the treaty between King Jamar and me, the guards didn’t bother searching the convoy.
“Why are we cutting through Lycan territory?” I asked Rayon.
Beside me, Venessa tensed instantly.
I reached for her again, my touch gentle, reassuring, my thumb stroking the back of her hand. “You’re safe with me,” I murmured.
She relaxed slowly.
It was wrong unforgivable that she was being made to pay for her mother’s mistakes. Venessa hadn’t even been alive when the offense was committed. Whoever sent the Lycans after her had been malicious. Vindictive.
And I would find out who.
I exhaled heavily, the weight of everything pressing down on me. There was too much to fix. Too little time.
“I didn’t want us passing through King Fabian’s territory,” Rayon explained. “The outlands have been overtaken by the Silver Forest Clan. This was the safest route.”
I nodded. Given the circumstances, he was right.
The journey was long four hours before we finally crossed into bear territory.
We disembarked so they could search us. We’d come unarmed, so the process was brief, and we were allowed through without incident.
Alpha Keon was already waiting outside the palace when we arrived.
His face lit up the moment he saw Venessa.
He must have thought I’d brought her as tribute.
“Alpha Denzel,” he greeted.
I nodded, and he ushered us inside, leading us to a small lounge. I immediately linked my people, instructing them not to eat or drink anything until I gave the word. The bears were no longer neutral toward me thanks to King Fabian’s interference.
“I’m pleased you’ve decided to honor my demands,” Keon said with a smile.
His gaze lingered on Venessa, and my stomach tightened. I whispered a silent prayer to the goddess that this would not spiral out of control.
“I hope your plan works,” Rayon linked me quietly. “Otherwise, we might not be leaving with Venessa.”
I had no reassurance to offer. His concern was valid.
Soon, King Donovan entered the room.
He was younger than King Fabian, but older than me mid-thirties, perhaps. We all stood and greeted him respectfully. He didn’t return my greeting with a smile.
He was angry.
We remained standing until he gestured for us to sit.
“Alpha Denzel,” he began coolly, “why did you send your men to slaughter Alpha Keon’s warriors in their sleep?”
I shifted in my seat, steadying myself.
“We are investigating the incident as we speak,” I said carefully. “The guard we apprehended has refused to talk. But I swear by my wolf I had no part in this.”
“It doesn’t change the fact that your men carried out the attack,” he replied. “As their Alpha, you are responsible. And I can’t ignore that you are Fabian’s son-in-law. I know his ambitions. I’ve heard the lies he spreads about me challenging King Jamar.”
He leaned back slightly. “I have no desire for the Lycan throne. But if Jamar dies without an heir, I would be the most suitable candidate. Fabian knows this. That is why he would use you to strike Alpha Keon who is to the werebears what you are to the werewolves.”
The implication settled heavily in the room.
“Your Majesty,” I said quickly, “I don’t want war. This will never happen again. I’m handling the matter personally. As for my king’s ambitions I do not share them. Please.”
He fell silent, his eyes glazing over briefly as he linked with Keon.
Then Keon spoke.
“What am I supposed to tell the families affected by your men’s actions?”
There was nothing I could say.
No words, no payment, no gesture could ever replace a loved one.
“I know nothing can make this right,” I said quietly. “But I am begging you please forgive this incident.”
Keon studied me.
“You know my demands,” he said at last. “If you meet them, I will let this go. But if something like this ever happens again, there will be war between the werebears and the werewolves.”
A chill settled deep in my bones.
If that war ever came, the power on both sides was so great that we might destroy each other entirely.
And I couldn’t allow that to happen.