Chapter 72 72
Venessa’s POV
He looked at me then truly looked at me with tears shining in his eyes.
“Did you love me in that life?” he asked quietly.
I nodded as my tears fell freely.
“With all my heart,” I whispered. “I loved you with everything I had.”
He bowed his head.
“I am sorry, Venessa,” he said, his voice thick with emotion. “I am sorry for everything I did to you in that life. I am sorry for not protecting you. For not believing you. For choosing her over you and hurting you the way I did. I am so sorry.”
I stared at him, stunned not by the apology, but by the fact that he believed me.
“You… you believe me?” I asked softly.
He lifted his gaze to mine.
“There is no way anyone could fabricate a lie like that,” he said. “I can feel your truth, Venessa. You belong to my pack remember?”
Relief crashed over me so powerfully I had to exhale just to steady myself. I had been so afraid he would think me mad.
Denzel stepped closer.
His hand came up gently, cupping my cheek as his eyes searched mine deep, careful, as if he were reading every scar etched into my soul. I let him. I had nothing left to hide. I had stripped myself bare for him already.
“Is that why you want to leave?” he asked quietly.
I nodded, tears spilling again.
He pulled me against his chest and held me tightly as I broke down. His arms were firm, protective, his lips pressing softly to the crown of my head as he held me together.
“I am sorry, Venessa,” he murmured. “For everything. And I thank the Goddess every day for sending you back to me.”
Slowly, I wrapped my arms around him.
I had never felt freedom like this not once in my entire existence. Laying everything bare before Denzel and being accepted anyway shattered every chain I’d ever carried.
“I suppose we have to make the most of the time we have left,” he said quietly.
I clung to him as I wept.
My tears were bittersweet. I wanted him more than ever. This was supposed to be our time yet I knew I wouldn’t remain. I knew it would destroy him when fate finally took me away.
“Denzel” I tried to protest.
He pulled back and shook his head firmly.
“Do not reject me, Venessa,” he said. “Seven months with you is worth more than a lifetime with anyone else. I would rather love deeply even briefly than exist without ever truly living. Please, don’t let us waste another second.”
His voice hardened with resolve.
“My divorce is final. I will marry you tomorrow. We will live whatever remains of your year together. Whatever task you and Nyla must complete to escape damnation we will face it as one. I am not letting you go this time, Venessa. I will love you until fate itself tears you from me.”
And then he kissed me.
I didn’t resist.
For the first time, I opened myself fully without doubt, without fear, without hesitation or regret. I returned his kiss with everything I had, pouring my soul into it.
He was my mate. My love. My destiny. Somehow, fate had found a way to place me in his arms however fleeting that gift might be.
Inside me, Nyla roared with joy as Denzel’s hands began to undress me.
There was no reason to hold back now. We were free.
He laid me gently on the bed, and butterflies erupted in my stomach. His wolf flashed beneath his eyes, and heat pooled between my legs.
Denzel took his time with me working me open, setting every nerve ending on fire. He sucked at my neck where his mark would one day rest, then kissed a slow, burning trail down my skin until he reached my breasts.
He took my nipples into his mouth one at a time, and pleasure surged through me so fiercely I moaned and relaxed into the bed. My core clenched, aching for him, and my hips began to move on their own.
I had never been touched before. If this life had given me anything, it would not end with me leaving untouched again.
Denzel moved lower, spreading my legs wide. I rested them over his shoulders as his tongue delved between me, lapping at my most sensitive spot.
“Ahh… ahh,” I moaned helplessly.
His tongue was warm and wet, driving me higher. I grabbed his hair and pulled.
He growled, and the sound sent another wave of pleasure through me.
I felt his fingers tease my entrance, then slip inside me slowly as his mouth continued its relentless work. My body tightened, my release rushing toward me faster than I could control.
I ground myself against his lips, moaning louder until his name slipped from my mouth.
“Denz ahh… ahh… I’m coming,” I cried.
He didn’t stop.
“Come for me, Venessa,” he linked me.
And then I shattered.
Euphoria engulfed me completely. Every nerve in my body lit up as my release tore through me. My skin prickled, the air felt warm, and for a moment, it felt like my soul was lifting out of my body.
Denzel didn’t stop until my body began to shake beneath him.
Finally, he lifted his head and looked at me.
My essence glistened on his lips. I pulled him up and kissed him deeply, wanting him needing him. I reached for his shorts, but he caught my wrist gently.
“Not tonight, my darling,” he said softly. “I want to claim every inch of you on our wedding night.”
I was disappointed but strangely comforted too.
“We’ll be married tomorrow evening, Venessa,” he continued. “I’m not wasting another moment with you. I love you.”
He kissed me again.
And for the first time, joy felt real.