Chapter 51 51
Venessa’s POV
I noticed almost immediately that Denzel, Jalisa, Tyrell, and Rayon were missing from the high table during breakfast. The absence gnawed at me. Whispers floated through the hall rumors that they had gone to see the King and unease settled deep in my chest.
What if the King decided to strike?
I should have told Denzel about what I’d overheard Jalisa and her father discussing. I knew that. But fear had kept me silent. The only reason he had believed the truth about Tyrell and Jalisa in the first place was because Rayon had confirmed it. Without that, I didn’t know how Denzel would have reacted. Still, time wasn’t on our side. One full month had already slipped away from the three-month deadline the King had given Jalisa.
As I ate, Alesha slid into the seat across from me.
She only dared because the Alpha and Gamma were absent.
That woman hated me and I knew exactly why. She knew I was the one who had planted the necklace in her room.
“Didn’t you follow the Alpha and Gamma to render your services?” she asked, her tone sharp and deliberate.
I smiled calmly.
“No one requested me, so there was no need,” I replied, pretending not to notice the insult woven into her words.
“You’re playing a dangerous game, little girl,” she continued. “Trying to get the Alpha is a lofty dream. The only reason this pack is as big and powerful as it is, is because of Jalisa. The Alpha will never leave her for you.”
I frowned at her.
“I’m not looking for a man or a mate, Alesha. So tell your master she has nothing to worry about.”
She smiled then linked me.
“Just because you survived the necklace”
“You are unbelievable,” I cut in sharply. “She was going to let you die.”
The smirk slid off her face.
“She was going to let you die to cover her crimes,” I continued. “I don’t expect you to like me, but I do expect you to be wise enough to protect yourself.”
I stood and walked away, leaving her frozen at the table, stunned into silence.
Tonya met me by the door, and together we headed toward our small office. Denzel had allocated the space to me so I could prepare remedies and use it as a treatment center. We had work to do a mild plague was brewing, and I intended to be ready before it reached us.
Later, Tonya and I went into the woods to gather herbs. The remedy required wild plants, which made things difficult. Tonya had no idea what they looked like, so I had to search alone.
Since Tonya learned about Denzel and me, she treated me differently with reverence. She even secretly referred to me as Luna. I always told her it would never happen, but how could I truly convince her? Denzel had humbled himself for my sake. If that wasn’t love, I didn’t know what was.
As I searched, I realized I would need to move closer to the border to find the herbs I needed. I told Tonya to return to the office and begin preparations. She resisted at first, but eventually agreed.
I was near the border, scanning the ground for the plants, when I heard low growls.
“Venessa,” Nyla whispered in my head, fear lacing her voice.
We were vulnerable. We weren’t at full strength.
I froze. I had completely forgotten about what Denzel had told me the Lycans.
I turned slowly and came face-to-face with two men, their eyes glowing red with fury. I didn’t need anyone to tell me what they were. My heart slammed against my ribs as I wondered who had granted them access to Denzel’s land.
“What do you want?” I demanded. “You’re trespassing.”
They ignored me and began to circle. The bald one stayed in front while the one with woolly hair moved behind me.
“Are you Venessa Gordon?” the woolly-haired man asked. “Danisha Gordon’s daughter?”
I knew instantly that I had to lie.
The Lycans had unfinished business with my mother. If I wanted to live, I had to deny the truth.
“Adopted daughter,” I said.
Before I could say another word, the man behind me seized me, clamping a hand over my mouth. I struggled, but it was useless. He was too strong.
I tried to link Tonya. Then Delta Devon. Nothing.
That was when I realized they were carrying silver. It blocked my mind link completely.
Tears streamed down my face, fear and uncertainty crushing me from the inside. I had no idea what to do.
They dragged me out of the woods and shoved me into a van. The driver sped off immediately, as though they were racing against time.
“Please,” I begged, my voice shaking. “Why are you doing this?”
They didn’t answer. If anything, they looked relieved satisfied. One of them pulled out his phone and made a call.
“You can replace the guards,” he said. “She came to us. No need to grant passage.”
My stomach dropped.
He was talking to someone in Denzel’s pack.
Why would anyone orchestrate my abduction? I had never harmed anyone. And this wasn’t Alesha’s way. Terror wrapped around my chest, suffocating.
“At least tell me why,” I sobbed.
Silence.
The van turned sharply. The men kept their eyes on me, unblinking, wordless. The quiet was maddening.
I had less than eight months left. I couldn’t afford this. I had a soul to preserve. This abduction could waste precious time or end everything if they decided to kill me.
I didn’t know what “sending me back” truly meant, but I knew one thing with terrifying clarity: this was bad. Very bad.
“Nyla, I need help,” I pleaded silently.
She whimpered.
“I can’t do much, Venessa. I’m not complete.”
For the first time, I cursed fate itself. Why bring me back only half whole?
A sharp sting pierced my arm.
They injected me with something.
Darkness swallowed me whole.