Chapter 5 5

Venessa’s POV

I woke in the dead of night, my chest tight and heavy with unease. Sleep had long abandoned me, leaving only the familiar weight of questions I could not escape. Thoughts of the past clawed at my peace, demanding answers I still didn’t have.

Why was I framed? I never had an affair with Denzel he’d never even looked at me that way. Why did Jalisa despise me so bitterly? And why was Denzel killed?

Those questions haunted me like ghosts in the dark. To find the truth, I would have to face every shadow, no matter how cruel.

Getting Jalisa and Tyrell out of Denzel’s life would not be easy. This mission required more than a kind heart it demanded strength, strategy, and a will that wouldn’t break. Failure wasn’t an option. I didn’t know what would happen if I succeeded, but I knew exactly what would happen if I failed and I refused to let history repeat itself.

Jalisa wasn’t good for him. She never was. Denzel didn’t love her, and their marriage was nothing more than an arrangement one forged by the werewolf king himself. Denzel had obeyed because he was loyal, bound by duty to his monarch. It was the king’s way of showing favor… or rather, control.

Denzel was the strongest alpha in the kingdom stronger than any born of the royal line. The king’s decision was calculated. By joining his daughter to Denzel, he ensured the bloodline would remain tethered to the throne. Denzel would eventually become king by merit, but his children who would also be the king’s grandchildren would inherit the crown. It was politics disguised as destiny.

Unlike Denzel, who tried to honor the bond, Jalisa’s loyalty was a lie. Her heart belonged to Beta Tyrell, and her betrayal ran deep.

I would not confront her about it not yet. Her hatred for me stemmed from fear, and the moment she realized I knew her secret, she’d become even more dangerous.

“We need to find out who killed him, Venessa,” Nyla’s voice echoed in my head, steady but grim. “We know how things unfold, but we don’t know who took his life. Jalisa seems like the obvious suspect. Maybe he discovered her betrayal. But we must be certain before we make a move. We can’t afford to fail.”

I turned onto my side, staring into the darkness.

“Maybe he found out about her affair,” I whispered. “If we want to win, Nyla, we’ll have to get close to him. Close enough to see the truth for ourselves.”

“Let’s hope our plan works,” she said, her tone sharp but laced with protectiveness. “I don’t want to end up damned again. And he deserves better than that lying bitch he calls his wife.”

I couldn’t help the quiet laugh that slipped through. “Ready for next week, when they make their first move?” Nyla teased.

“Oh, I’m more than ready,” I murmured.

The Following Week

The day finally came. I dressed quietly, then hid inside my metal locker. This was the day the trap would be set the day someone planted Jalisa’s royal necklace under my mattress. The very crime that had once condemned me.

But not this time. This time, I would be ready.

The act always took place early in the morning, when the quarters were empty and the servants were busy with chores elsewhere. That was the only window of opportunity. I crouched inside the locker, peering through the narrow air vent carved into the door a small design meant for ventilation, but perfect for surveillance.

Minutes dragged by like hours.

“Maybe it’s not happening this morning,” Nyla grumbled, growing impatient.

“No,” I whispered. “It has to. This is their only chance. They’ll do it now.”

Moments later, the door creaked open. I held my breath. Through the vent, I saw Alesha slip into my room.

Of course. I should have known.

She moved quietly, glancing around before slipping something beneath my mattress a blue cloth, folded neatly. Then she left as if nothing had happened.

I stayed still until the hallway went silent again. Then, with careful precision, I climbed out of the locker and lifted my mattress. There it was the blue cloth and inside it, Jalisa’s sapphire and ruby necklace, gleaming with stolen beauty.

A thrill of triumph rushed through me. “So it was you, Alesha,” I whispered.

I lifted the pendant with a clean handkerchief, careful not to let my scent touch it, and tucked it into my pocket. The cloth I left exactly where she’d put it. Let them find that. Let her panic when she realized her setup had gone wrong.

Quietly, I made my way to Alesha’s room. The servants were all busy in the hall, which made it easy. I slipped inside, lifted her mattress, sliced open the underside of the fabric, and pushed the necklace inside. I didn’t even let it touch my skin just as a real thief would hide stolen treasure.

When I finished, I smoothed the bed and walked out as calmly as if nothing had happened.

By the time breakfast was served, I was in the main hall, moving as though the morning had been perfectly ordinary.

Alesha smiled at me as I approached.

“Where were you?” she asked, feigning warmth.

“In the forest,” I replied smoothly. “Looking for herbs. I got a rash this morning and needed to soothe it.”

“You should have gone to the clinic,” she said sweetly. “You don’t have to rely on herbs here.”

“Thank you,” I said, smiling politely. If only she knew.

“Gamma Rayon asked that you serve his meal,” Tonya informed me.

I smiled back, pretending at innocence.

“I think you’ve caught his eye,” she giggled.

I merely nodded. There was no room for distractions.

At the high table, the Alphas and their ranks sat, and among them was Denzel tall, composed, every inch the leader he was born to be. Gamma Rayon’s eyes found mine, and he smiled. I bowed slightly but kept my expression neutral.

“You’ll serve my meals from now on, Venessa,” Rayon said, voice smooth with interest.

“As you wish, Gamma,” I replied.

He was kind, almost too kind. His friendliness drew attention, and I let it, though I offered him nothing in return except courtesy.

Breakfast ended without incident, and I went about my chores. Later, I was summoned by Alesha.

“Venessa, go and clean the Alpha and Luna’s chambers.”

There was a murmur of surprise from the others. The same shock I’d felt in the past, but not this time. Now I knew the reason behind it. They needed me there so they could claim I had stolen the jewelry.

“Are you sure it’s wise for me to clean their room?” I asked, feigning hesitation. “I’m new here. I wouldn’t want to cause trouble.”

“You’ll be fine,” Alesha said with that same false smile. “Just clean and leave.”

I gathered my supplies and headed to the Alpha’s quarters. I knocked once. No answer. Slowly, I stepped inside.

The room smelled faintly of sandalwood and power. I began tidying the bed when I heard the bathroom door open. Denzel emerged, shirtless, damp from his shower, and my heart stuttered. I quickly turned away.

“Forgive me, Alpha,” I said, lowering my eyes. “I knocked. I thought the room was empty. I’ll leave.”

“No,” he said quietly, his tone calm but commanding. “Stay.”

I froze.

“Look at me, Venessa.”

Reluctantly, I turned.

“Is the bond the reason you never meet my eyes?” he asked, voice low.

I swallowed hard. “I dare not look at you,” I whispered.

He studied me for a moment before sighing. “Our bond isn’t broken yet,” he said softly. “I still feel everything you feel. I didn’t like how you were with Rayon today. I know you’re free to move on, but… I don’t trust his intentions. I’m only looking out for you.”

His tone was gentle too gentle and it broke something in me.

“I’m sorry,” I said. “I had no choice. I’m just a servant.”

He nodded, expression unreadable, and turned back to his desk. The air between us was thick with everything unspoken. His scent warm, masculine, intoxicating filled my lungs, and I fought the tears burning behind my eyes.

He was meant for me. He was mine. But I was too late.

All that mattered now was keeping him alive and breaking this cursed cycle. Whatever came after… would be up to fate.

I blinked back the tears and steadied my heart. I needed to stay strong. Weakness had no place in the war ahead.