Chapter 69 69
Venessa’s POV
The day of the divorce had finally arrived, and despite everything, a sense of relief settled deep in my chest. Jalisa and Tyrell would soon be gone from Denzel’s Pack, and with their departure, an unbearable chapter would finally close.
Since the separation, Denzel hadn’t tried to hide how he felt about me. We made an effort careful glances, measured distance, restrained touches to appear respectful, but people noticed anyway. They always did. Still, Denzel was a man of honour. He wanted the divorce finalised, clean and unquestionable, before he could publicly claim me.
Nyla, on the other hand, was almost vibrating with excitement. I wasn’t. I knew whatever peace this moment promised would be temporary. Fate had never allowed me permanence, and I was torn between wanting happiness and bracing for loss.
She had insisted we tell him the truth. I couldn’t. Fear wrapped itself too tightly around my resolve fear of frightening him away, fear of failing, fear of what would happen once everything came to light.
“With Jalisa and Tyrell gone, we’ve won, Venessa,” Nyla argued, her voice sharp with certainty as I stared out the clinic window.
I shook my head slowly. “It’s not that simple, Nyla. This goes far beyond those two.”
Her growl was immediate, vibrating through my chest.
“You think I don’t know that?” she snapped.
I sighed. Of course she knew. She always did.
“I just want to be with my mate before fate calls us back. Please,” she pleaded, and the ache in my heart deepened painfully.
“He’ll be shattered when that happens,” I murmured.
She growled again, louder this time.
“Then let him decide that for himself, Venessa. Please. Tell him. I know he’ll accept us no matter what.”
That was exactly what terrified me. I didn’t want him broken when I left.
“I think we should go once the divorce is final,” I said quietly.
Her reaction was explosive.
“Are you out of your mind?” Nyla roared. “I am not leaving Denzel. I am not leaving Nigel. I will die here. If fate wants me, they’ll have to come for me themselves. And if you try to leave without me, I’ll take over, Venessa and I mean it.”
The force of her determination stunned me. There was something different in her now something stronger, sharper, unfamiliar. It felt new. Dangerous. Nyla was furious, and for once, I didn’t push. I chose silence instead.
“I think we should close the clinic for the day,” I said, turning away from the window.
Tonya stood nearby, having just finished cleaning the kitchen area. She glanced at me curiously.
“Aren’t you even a little nervous about becoming Luna?” she asked.
I shook my head.
Since the separation, Tonya had been noticeably happier. I was grateful she was still alive, still here with me. No one had died yet and I prayed it stayed that way.
“You should be, Luna Venessa,” she said cheerfully. “The whole pack is talking about you and the Alpha.”
I rolled my eyes.
“You mean the angry pack members whispering about me leaving the Gamma’s bed to crawl into the Alpha’s?” I asked.
She giggled.
“You can’t really blame them. People thought you and Rayon were together. A lot of them were rooting for you. There were even rumours he’d bought a ring, that he planned to propose. People adore Rayon. They think you broke his heart and destroyed the Alpha’s marriage to be with him. Of course they’re angry. But once the truth comes out about Jalisa’s infidelity, about you and Rayon never dating, never being engaged, just friends I think they’ll calm down and accept you as Luna.”
She squealed, clearly optimistic.
I wasn’t.
The pack would never forgive me for breaking up Denzel’s marriage especially since he’d chosen not to expose Jalisa and Tyrell, provided they left quietly. It didn’t matter. I wouldn’t be around long enough to care.
We closed the clinic, and I locked the doors behind us.
As I walked back toward the servants’ quarters inside the packhouse, hostile stares followed me. Whispers curled through the air like smoke. Near the entrance, Alesha stood waiting flanked by a group of equally irritating girls.
“What do you want, Alesha?” I asked.
She spat on the ground in front of me.
“You should be ashamed of yourself, Venessa,” she hissed. “Fucking your way up is bad enough, but breaking up a happy home? Disgusting. Princess Jalisa knew exactly what you were that’s why she tried to get rid of you. You’re a disgrace to women everywhere. She’s pregnant with the Alpha’s heir, and you still chose this. How do you even sleep at night?”
I owed her nothing. I tried to walk past her.
She stepped directly into my path.
“He’ll use you and throw you away once he’s bored,” she sneered. “You know why? Because you have no pedigree. You’re a nobody. A bloody orphan. A loner with nothing to your name. When half the pack abandons him and runs back to the Werewolf King because of you, he’ll realise his mistake. Some of the land we occupy belongs to the princess. When she leaves, many of us will leave with her. We’ll see what your miserable, wretched life brings Alpha Denzel. He’ll come to his senses and dump your arse.”
I fought the smile tugging at my lips.
They had no idea what was truly happening.
Not a single clue.