One Year To Burn

Chapter 12

Denzel’s POV

“She didn’t mention that,” King Fabian said, his tone clipped, “but it is inappropriate for you to keep that girl in your pack. She is robbing Jalisa of her peace. Sleepless nights are not conducive to conception.”

Anger flared hot and sharp in my chest. He might be a king, but that did not grant him dominion over my private affairs.

“With all due respect, Your Majesty,” I replied coolly, “how I run my pack is entirely my prerogative. I am not violating any law. And as for conception my fated has nothing to do with that. Jalisa has been unable to conceive since the beginning of our union.”

His expression tightened, the smile that followed brittle and forced. I had struck a nerve, and he despised being reminded of his limitations.

“I suggest you send the girl away amicably so my princess can finally have peace,” he said. “From what I hear, she is nothing more than a lone wolf who wandered in seeking refuge. She will survive.”

I shook my head without hesitation.

“No. She is a member of my pack, and she will remain so. She was hunted by Lycans, and her mother died protecting her. She came to me seeking sanctuary, and I will not cast her back into danger to soothe Jalisa’s insecurities. I accepted the rejection. That is the extent of what I owe Jalisa. The rest is something she must learn to live with.”

Fabian exhaled sharply and shook his head.

“And what if this girl is a spy?” he pressed. “I’ve heard she has raven-black hair and dark eyes. Traits common among Lycans. Have you seen her wolf?”

The thought caught me off guard. Venessa’s beauty was dark unusual, striking but it changed nothing.

“Why would a dying Lycan king send a spy to me?” I asked, fully aware of his hostility toward the Lycan kingdom.

“Perhaps not the king,” Fabian replied. “Perhaps his queen.”

I smiled, unimpressed.

“I have no quarrel with the Lycans, Your Majesty. Your grievances are not mine. I am loyal to the Lycan king and whoever ascends his throne after him.”

The rage in Fabian’s eyes was unmistakable.

“It is time we free ourselves from their rule, Denzel,” he snarled. “The bears are already fighting for independence. We should strike while King Jamar is weak. If his queen takes power, we are finished.”

So this was the true reason for the summons.

“No,” I said flatly. “We have discussed this for two years, and my stance has not changed. I will not help you attack the Lycan kingdom. Not you. Not Jalisa. No one.”

His jaw clenched.

“So you intend to sit back and watch while the bears seize territory and dominate the realm?”

I nodded calmly.

“They are children of the Goddess as well. If she wills them to rule, then so be it. I will follow whoever holds power.”

He growled, the sound low and venomous.

“You are unfit to be an Alpha. Unfit to be the next king.”

“And yet,” I countered evenly, “I am Alpha and I will be the next Werewolf King. I command the largest army, and you require my consent to wage war. If you believe me insignificant, then proceed without me.”

His composure shattered.

“You will mind your tone!” he thundered. “As your king and your father-in-law I am entitled to your forces. Jalisa is your Luna and the future queen. She has claim to half your army. I am merely asking politely.”

I laughed, unable to stop myself.

“Jalisa is not a warrior, and my soldiers are not pieces on a board. Their lives matter. I will not sacrifice them for your ambition. We are living in peace, and I will protect it at all costs. If that disappoints you, then take your daughter back. We have no children she can start anew. But do not mistake her position as leverage. I will not be coerced into war through her.”

Fabian laughed too, though there was no humour in it.

“You cannot simply abandon Jalisa. The law requires cause. And if you believe you can leave her for that low-born fated, you are gravely mistaken. Jalisa will take everything. You know the law, Denzel. Without proof of wrongdoing, divorce will cost you half of all you possess. I advise you to keep your marriage separate from this conflict. And I strongly suggest you send that spy away. If anything happens to my daughter because of her, I will demand her head.”

I laughed again slow, deliberate.

“If anything happens to your daughter, no one will fault that girl. Jalisa has publicly schemed against her. Any accusation she makes going forward will hold no weight. I am not saying the girl would ever act but if Jalisa’s own recklessness brings harm upon her, the blame will not fall on an innocent pack member.”

I leaned forward, my voice steady, lethal.

“She may be a commoner, but she is mine. You will go through me to reach her. Tread carefully, Your Majesty. Rejected or not, I will defend her with every fibre of my being. Tell your daughter to stand down. She already has everything she should leave the girl alone.”

I rose to my feet.

“As for your talk of spies I do not care. I have no conflict with the Lycans, king or queen. I am not their enemy. Should the bears rise, I have the strength to defend my people. And if Donovan takes the throne, I will bow to him.”

The rage rolling off Fabian was palpable, but it meant nothing to me. I was the stronger Alpha. This needed to be said not just for him, but for Jalisa. She would not use her father to control me.

“I will excuse myself now,” I said.

He said nothing.

I took his silence as permission to leave. We would not be spending the night in his kingdom after all.

The visit had been nothing short of a disaster.