Chapter 61 61
Denzel’s POV
I moved quickly down the corridor toward Rayon’s room. The door was already ajar, so I didn’t bother knocking or waiting for permission.
I pushed it open and there she was.
Venessa lay on the bed, her body still, her breathing shallow but steady. Relief crashed into me so hard my knees nearly buckled. Tears slipped from my eyes, unrestrained, born of gratitude and something dangerously close to reverence.
“I’ll take her room,” Rayon said quietly, already stepping back to give us space.
He understood. There was no longer any point pretending by morning, the entire pack would know. Hiding my feelings for Venessa, lying about what she meant to me, had become pointless.
I turned my gaze back to her.
“Where did you find her?” I asked.
Rayon hesitated. The pause alone told me I wouldn’t like the answer.
“The guards on night duty didn’t recognize her as the missing one,” he said carefully. “They arrested her and locked her in a cell before reporting to me.”
Nigel stirred violently inside me, a low snarl rumbling through my chest. Rayon lifted his hands quickly, a calming gesture.
“They’ve been disciplined for the delay,” he continued. “They claimed they thought I was asleep. Regardless, they’ll be punished properly in daylight.”
I exhaled slowly. “When did she arrive?”
Rayon sighed. “Around two in the morning. They alerted me at three-thirty. She was already asleep when I checked on her. She didn’t even stir when I carried her out of the cell and laid her here. She must be completely exhausted.”
I looked at Venessa again.
She looked drained too thin, too still. I knew what silver did to wolves, and our cells were lined with it. Whatever strength she’d had left must have been stripped from her completely.
“If it helps,” Rayon added gently, “she called your name in her sleep.”
A quiet chuckle escaped me. Knowing she had been dreaming of me even then eased something raw inside my chest. Rayon smiled knowingly and gave a small nod.
“Tyrell has been sleeping with Jalisa for over a year,” I said.
Rayon froze.
“What?” he asked sharply.
“She admitted it,” I replied. “I pretended I already knew the duration. She didn’t deny it.”
Pain flickered across his face. He felt it my humiliation, my rage, my grief.
“That bastard,” he muttered. “That fucking bastard.”
I understood his fury. Jalisa’s betrayal hurt but Tyrell’s cut deeper. Jalisa was selfish by nature. Tyrell wasn’t supposed to be. He was my beta. My best friend. The man meant to guard my back when I wasn’t looking.
“I told Jalisa I’m filing for divorce,” I continued. “I want her to accept it quietly and leave without drama. In return, I won’t expose the affair. Once the divorce is finalized, I’ll strip Tyrell of his rank.”
Rayon nodded slowly.
“If I remove him now, I’d have to justify it publicly,” I added. “I can suspend him, but not dismiss him outright. I expect he’ll leave with Jalisa during the suspension.”
Rayon’s jaw tightened. “You should stay alert. The days leading up to the divorce will be dangerous. Those two are vicious. And Venessa she needs protection.”
“I know,” I said quietly. “I know.”
Rayon rose to his feet. “She’s asleep. I’m going to get some rest too. Tomorrow will be long.”
He left. I locked the door behind him and settled on the couch. Exhaustion claimed me almost instantly.
When I woke, the room was empty.
I glanced at the clock one in the afternoon.
Venessa must have gone to attend to her duties.
I wasn’t pleased that she’d left me alone in Rayon’s room. I decided I’d punish her for it later.
I stood and stretched and felt something unfamiliar.
Lightness.
I hadn’t realized how heavy my marriage to Jalisa had been. Or how much effort it took to suppress what I felt for Venessa. The weight I’d carried for so long was gone.
Was this what truth felt like?
No more pretending. No more denial. The cage I’d locked myself inside had finally opened.
“We’re not free yet,” Nigel growled.
I laughed softly, feeling his anticipation mirror my own.
I went to my new room, showered, dressed, and headed straight to my office. As badly as I wanted to see Venessa, to hold her and celebrate her return, I knew the divorce had to be initiated immediately.
“Venessa,” I linked her cautiously.
The bond connected instantly. Relief flooded me.
“Where are you?” I asked.
“In my room,” she replied.
I glanced at the paperwork spread across my desk. I wouldn’t be able to focus until it was sent.
“Stop by the kitchen in an hour and bring me my afternoon tea,” I said lightly. “I’ll link the servants to have it ready.”
I laughed to myself. I always had tea with breakfast but I’d missed breakfast entirely. Tea in the office would have to do.
Afterward, I planned to take her to the lake.
The link ended and Tyrell walked into my office.
One look at his face told me everything. Jalisa had spoken.
“What do you want?” I asked coolly.
He hesitated, words tangled on his tongue.
“You came here to say something, Tyrell,” I reminded him.
His eyes filled with tears.