Chapter 94 94
Denzel’s POV
Learning that the Delta and Gamma those meant to govern in Jamar’s absence had willingly supported Rochelle’s ascension told me everything I needed to know. A dangerous level of cohesion had already taken root within the Lycan Kingdom.
That evening, Rayon and I attended the meeting King Fabian had summoned. Truthfully, if I hadn’t known King Jamar was still alive, I might have entertained whatever scheme Fabian presented. Queen Rochelle had offended far too many people, far too quickly.
Devon was assigned to guard the bungalow. When he learned why we were staying there, his shock was quickly followed by relief.
My pack was restless. Rochelle’s decree had left many of them afraid. I told them to remain calm that everything would soon be resolved. Some trusted me without question. Others urged me to ally with King Fabian and strike back.
But I knew the unrest would fade the moment King Jamar returned and Venessa was crowned his heir. Now, more than ever, I understood why Venessa wasn’t ready to tell her father about her condition.
When we arrived at the meeting hall, chaos reigned. Voices clashed from every direction.
King Fabian was presiding this time, which told me all I needed to know he had an agenda.
Once we settled into our seats, he wasted no time addressing the matter.
“The reason for this meeting is obvious,” he said. “Queen Rochelle has done the unthinkable. She has declared that all shifters are to answer directly to her, bypassing their kings entirely. This is unacceptable. I propose we push back.”
A chorus of agreement followed.
“And if we fail?” Alpha Gordon countered. “The Lycans are stronger than us. Larger. They have a full army. It would be a massacre.”
“Alpha Shaw commands a skilled force,” Fabian replied. “I’m certain he shares our outrage. Rochelle insulted him personally by dissolving the treaty between the Blood Moon Pack and the Lycans. He would join us.”
I smiled faintly before speaking.
“There’s no need for panic,” I said calmly. “Queen Rochelle is only standing in for King Jamar. Once he returns from his pilgrimage, every decree she’s issued will be nullified. All we need is patience.”
Fabian’s reaction was immediate and explosive.
“Have you lost your mind?” he snapped. “Do you have a death wish? The king left while suffering from severe neurological illness. He might already be dead somewhere. He isn’t coming back, Denzel. If we don’t act now, we’ll be enslaved.”
I nodded, masking what I knew.
“In that case,” I said evenly, “we seek the bears. We face the Lycans together or we don’t fight at all.”
The room fell silent. Then the Alphas began to nod in agreement.
“How long would an alliance with King Donovan take?” Fabian pressed. “Rochelle isn’t slowing down. She’s moving faster than anyone anticipated. We should strike now.”
“I won’t lead my warriors to their deaths,” I said firmly. “I’d rather surrender than slaughter my people without a fighting chance. The only way I’ll support this cause is if we secure an alliance with the bears first.”
I let my gaze sweep the room.
“Give it a week two at most. We need to be absolutely certain King Jamar isn’t returning before we act. The last thing we want is to move against his wife, only for him to come back and find his kingdom in chaos. Whether we like it or not, we bow to his authority. That is why he is the King of Kings. Acting against him would be signing our own death warrants.”
For the first time, King Fabian agreed with me.
Despite his ambition, I knew Fabian would never openly challenge the Lycan King. That was why all his strategies hinged on Jamar’s death. The only force capable of opposing the King outright was the growing population of rogues wolves who answered to no one, bowed to no throne.
They were the real threat.
In the end, we agreed to wait an additional week. Alpha Gordon would reach out to King Donovan, while I volunteered to speak directly with Queen Rochelle.
They thought I was being reckless.
But if Rochelle had a mole among us and I was certain she did that was exactly what would be reported back to her. After what Tyrell had done to me, I trusted no one completely.
Tyrell still owed me a full list of those working with King Fabian. Once King Jamar reclaimed his throne, I planned to collect on that promise or remove Tyrell and Jalisa from my lands entirely.
The meeting adjourned, and we filed out of the hall.
As I headed toward my car, Alpha Carlton Gordon called after me, asking for a private word.
It was strange very strange that he wanted to speak with me alone.
But I listened.