One Year To Burn

Chapter 19

Venessa’s POV

I went to bed that night utterly confused. I had never imagined things would unravel this way between Denzel and me. I’d had a plan clear, deliberate. Save him. Redeem my wolf. Redeem myself. Falling in love had never been part of it.

Yet every time I was near him, butterflies erupted in my stomach, betraying me. I knew it was wrong. I knew I shouldn’t feel anything for him but the feelings came anyway, relentless and unstoppable. I noticed everything about him: the way his voice softened when he spoke to me, the quiet intensity in his gaze, the warmth that lingered long after he left. Sometimes, the urge to crawl into his arms and stay there forever was so strong it hurt.

What happened in the woods had been pulled straight from my deepest fantasy. I wished more than I cared to admit that I’d had the courage to linger, to let myself fall completely. But I knew better. Going all the way with him would only complicate things, and complications were the one luxury I couldn’t afford. I needed to face Jalisa and Tyrell with a clear mind, free of bias or emotional weakness. And hovering over everything was the uncertainty of what would happen to me when my time ran out.

I had one mission: save Denzel. That was all I could allow myself to focus on.

We need to expose that b***h and take what’s ours, Nyla said firmly. Denzel wants us. Nigel wants us. Don’t pretend you can’t feel it. We need to end this charade with Rayon and focus on our mate. He is ours.

I rolled onto my side, restlessness crawling through me.

“And then what, Nyla?” I asked quietly. “We only have one year.”

That’s all the motivation we need, she replied. Time and life are never promised. We’re just privileged enough to know how long we have and what’s coming. Let’s make it count. Imagine leaving this world without ever knowing what true love feels like. Denzel is ours, Venessa. We should fight for him.

Her words rang true, but fear clenched my heart.

“I don’t want to leave him broken when our time is up,” I whispered. “That would be selfish.”

Let him decide that, Nyla said, her voice softer now. Expose Jalisa. Tell him the truth. Let him choose. You can’t keep deciding for all of us.

I felt the sorrow beneath her words. Nyla was hurting. She’d wanted to mate in the woods, to be with Nigel, to abandon restraint and give in completely. I’d held us back, knowing it wounded her.

“What about your form?” I asked, changing the subject.

She growled faintly. I can’t feel my Lycan half anymore. I think it’s gone. I feel… weaker. Like half of what I was. But there’s something else too something new.

I focused instantly.

“What do you mean?”

While we were running through the woods, I had a vision, she said slowly. I’ve never had one before. I saw a man lying sick in his bed, being poisoned by the people around him. He called out for help, but no one answered. He was powerful… yet terribly vulnerable.

A chill ran through me. Why hadn’t I seen it too? Was she seeing Denzel because he’d already been poisoned once? Were we drifting toward failure instead of victory?

It feels like a gift, Nyla continued. That man matters. I don’t know how yet, but we need to find him.

I sighed deeply. “Let’s hope it isn’t Denzel.”

So much to do. So little time and even less power.

Exhaustion finally claimed me.

The next morning, I woke and began to get ready. I’d used part of my wages to update my wardrobe, and with my promotion had come unexpected freedom. Breakfast was now served to me, and Rayon always insisted on sitting beside me. I dreaded breakfast that day. I knew I had to let him down gently and soon. I didn’t want to reject him outright during a proposal. It would be kinder to end things beforehand.

“Good morning, Venessa.”

Denzel’s deep voice echoed through my mind, and butterflies exploded in my chest. I froze beneath the spray of the shower, my heart racing. For a moment, it felt like he was right there with me.

“Good morning, Denzel,” I linked back.

“I had fun yesterday,” he said softly. “I hope we’ll have more moments like that. I want us to build something slowly, properly. Please hang on for me. I’ll find a way to part with Jalisa peacefully, with honor. Holding you in the woods felt right, Venessa. I felt whole. I don’t ever want to lose that feeling. Just give me time. I promise I’ll do the right thing.”

Tears slid down my cheeks as he spoke. He had no idea how many storms still lay ahead how danger, lies, and deception would threaten his life and keep us apart. I said nothing. I held on to hope instead.

“See you in the hall,” he added lightly. “Maybe you’ll look at me this time.”

I giggled. I wasn’t going to. Not because I didn’t want to but because I couldn’t afford to draw Jalisa’s attention.

I dressed and headed to the hall, alert and cautious. Since the incident with Ingrid, she’d kept her distance and behaved respectfully, but once bitten, twice shy. I stayed vigilant. Even now, I often served myself rather than let anyone else touch my food.

Today was no different.

I reached for a plate, and Ingrid approached, smiling too sweetly. I knew her game Tonya had already warned me of the things she said behind my back.

“You’ve been promoted, Miss Gordon,” Alesha announced loudly. “You’re our pack healer now. Please sit we’ll serve you.”

I returned her smile calmly, already planning my counter.

“I appreciate the kindness,” I said, “but healer or not, I’m still one of you. I won’t allow my sisters to serve me. Gamma Rayon insists on eating with me; otherwise, I’d much rather sit with you all. I feel at home here. Please don’t separate me from my sisters.”

A murmur rippled through the room. The girls who’d once been indifferent now looked at me with admiration. I plated my food as they smiled warmly.

“Hey.”

I turned to see Gamma Rayon standing behind me.

“Good morning, Gamma Rayon,” I said politely.

He smiled, his features effortlessly charming broad shoulders, blond hair, and a flawless grin. In another life, if fate hadn’t bound me to Denzel, I could have loved him easily. Since I healed him, he’d been nothing but kind, attentive, genuine.

It hurt, knowing he had no place in my future.

It was time to let him go carefully, gently before the damage became irreversible. Still, I couldn’t shake the fear that my choice might ripple outward, changing things I couldn’t foresee.

After all, Rayon was the one variable fate never accounted for.

Because he was never meant to be alive.