Revenge to the Alpha Mate - Chapter 234

Chapter 234: Chapter 234
Celena’s Perspective

The pickup truck ate up the highway, its engine growling, the scenery outside blurring into streaks of color. Wind whipped through the half-open window, tangling my hair and carrying Jacob’s familiar scent—pine, sweat, and that uniquely warm, wild essence that was his alone.

I drew a deep breath, filling my lungs with it. Suddenly, a feeling I hadn’t experienced in a very long time rose within me, like a dormant spring beginning to flow once more.

Back then—when I was observed like a lab rat in Karl’s basement—Brett had been like a brother, my first taste of familial warmth. But Jacob, after my escape… he had replaced Brett, becoming something even more essential. Jacob was the one who could read my silences, who offered his jacket when I shivered, who sat with me through the night, listening to my incoherent ramblings after a nightmare until dawn broke.

He understood me better, cared for me more deeply than even Max, my blood brother. He saw the panic beneath my smiles, caught the slight tremors in my calm voice. He’d ruffle my hair with those big, warm hands and comfort me with words that were clumsy yet utterly sincere: “Hey, it’s okay, pup. I’m right here.”

And then I had pushed him away.

I had dumped all my hatred for Karl, my resentment toward fate, my grief over Brett’s death onto him—unfairly, brutally. I’d said so many hurtful things, using coldness as armor to shut him out of my world. I thought it would protect me, or punish him—for failing to save Brett, for being the one who survived, the one who still loved me.

But now, in this rattling pickup, surrounded by his scent, watching his eyes—still so gentle—flick to the rearview mirror to check on me… I understood.

Brett wasn’t his fault.

This wasn’t what he wanted.

That night, the attack that changed everything, the blood and the loss… Jacob was a victim, just like me. He probably carried an even heavier burden of guilt, believing, as a warrior of the pack, he should have protected everyone. And I had turned that guilt into a blade aimed at his heart.

My gaze settled on Jacob’s profile. His jaw was tight, his focus entirely on the road ahead, tracking the distant plume of dust kicked up by the van and the Hunter convoy. His fingers gripped the steering wheel, knuckles white. He was still the same Jacob—the fool who shouldered every responsibility, who put others before himself, always.

Whatever had happened to Brett, whatever that “woman” inhabiting my brother’s body was, whether any shred of Brett’s consciousness remained trapped and suffering within that shell… none of that was a reason to keep punishing Jacob.

The mistakes of the past, like Karl’s death, needed to be laid to rest.

I opened my mouth. My voice came out dry, almost lost in the engine’s roar and the wind. “Jacob.”

He turned his head almost instantly, his gaze shifting from the mirror to meet mine directly, if only for a second. His eyes were filled with immediate concern. “What’s wrong? You feeling sick? See something?” His voice was so tender it made my nose sting.

Always. My well-being was his first thought.

I shook my head, holding his gaze. My throat felt tight, but the words had to come out. “I forgive you.”

Time seemed to freeze for a heartbeat.

Jacob’s expression went rigid. His eyes widened slightly. His grip on the wheel slackened for a moment, causing the truck to veer slightly before he corrected it. He blinked, as if he hadn’t understood, or as if he’d heard something impossible. I saw his eyes redden visibly, a sheen of moisture gathering rapidly, but he clenched his jaw, refusing to let the tears fall.

His Adam’s apple bobbed hard.

“You… what did you say?” His voice was rough, edged with a fragile, cautious hope, as if afraid he’d misheard, afraid this was another cruel trick.

My heart ached, but a wave of relieving lightness washed over me. I leaned forward, resting a hand on the center console, speaking more clearly, more firmly. “I forgive you, Jacob. For everything.”

This time, he heard it.

I watched the emotions play across his face—disbelief, shock, then a flood of sheer, overwhelming feeling, a tumultuous mix of dizzying joy, profound relief, and deep, deep affection. His lips trembled, but no sound came out, just a shaky exhale.

Then, suddenly, like an overjoyed kid, he thrust his head out of the driver’s window! Ignoring the rushing wind, he shouted toward our trailing SUVs with all his might: “She forgave me! You hear that?! Celena forgave me!”

His words were ripped away by the wind, but the sheer elation in them was a tangible force.

He followed it by laying on the pickup’s horn! A long, triumphant HONK—honk-honk—HONK!

Almost instantly, answering honks came from Lily’s SUV behind us! Honk! Honk-honk! Short and long, in a celebratory rhythm. I caught a glimpse in the side mirror of Dave half-out of the sunroof, waving wildly, whistling loudly. Jim was giving a thumbs-up. Lily was laughing, hitting her own horn. Even Xavier, usually the coolest of them, flashed his headlights. Adrian’s distant whoop of “Attaboy!” carried faintly on the wind.

They were cheering. For our reconciliation, for things being set right.

A warm current broke through the last of my inner barriers, flooding through me. I couldn’t help but laugh, even as silent tears traced paths down my cheeks. Tears of joy, this time.

Jacob pulled himself back inside. His face was flushed from emotion and the wind, his eyes brilliant, like they held captured starlight. He looked at me, his gaze intense yet soft, holding a trace of lingering, uncertain pleading.

“Celena…” His voice was barely a whisper, tentative. “I… can I kiss you? Right now.”

My heart skipped, then began to pound a frantic rhythm against my ribs. My cheeks burned, but I didn’t look away. I gave a small, almost imperceptible nod, my voice a whisper. “Yes.”

His eyes ignited.

Keeping one hand steady on the wheel, Jacob reached over with his other strong arm. It wrapped around my shoulders, gentle yet undeniable, and he pulled me across the bench seat. I let out a small gasp as I landed in his lap, pressed against the solid warmth of him. The truck’s broad front seat afforded us the space.

There was no hesitation. His lips found mine.

It started tentative, a soft brush, trembling with a hint of renewed shyness, as if this were our very first kiss. But then, memory and emotion surged back like a returning tide—the familiar warmth, his scent, the pressure… We found our old rhythm quickly, the kiss deepening, turning fervent and knowing, as if we’d never been apart.

His kiss tasted of salt—my tears or his? Of dust, of the tremors that follow survival, and most of all, of a reclaimed, almost reverent joy. I wound my arms around his neck, kissing him back fiercely, pouring all my forgiveness, my longing, my reliance, and my rekindled love into it.

The truck sped down the straight highway, jolting occasionally over rough patches in the asphalt. Our bodies swayed with the motion, our lips and teeth bumping gently, which only made the kiss feel more real, more vividly alive, each jolt adding a thrill to our reunion.

Deep within, my wolf-spirit rolled and tumbled in pure delight, letting out a long, joyous howl that resonated in my soul. I was certain Jacob’s spirit was doing the same. The happiness and love of two souls flowed freely between us, through our joined lips, through our embraced bodies.

And in that moment, I felt it—a familiar, warm, resilient link re-establishing itself between Jacob and me. It wasn’t just an emotional bond. It was deeper, the psychic connection unique to mated pairs within a pack. It had frayed and dimmed under the weight of my resentment and distance. Now, it was not just repaired; it shone brighter, felt stronger than ever before.

I could faintly sense the overwhelming tide of his love and relief. He could touch the weight finally lifted from my heart, the warmth I was accepting anew. Our breaths synced; our heartbeats began to align.

If I were of age, if I weren’t that late-blooming pup who could barely control her first shift… I believe, right then in that speeding pickup, with this renewed connection glowing between us, I would have let him claim me. Formally, completely, as his destined mate, binding my life to his for good.

But for now, this kiss, this rekindled link, was more than enough.

We finally broke apart, foreheads resting together, breathing heavily, gazing into each other’s eyes from mere inches away. His eyes still glistened, but his smile was radiant, like a boy who’d been given the world.

“Welcome back, my pup,” he rasped, his thumb gently wiping the tear tracks from my cheek.

“I’m back,” I whispered, leaning my head against his shoulder. I looked out at the road stretching ahead, a long-missing, solid sense of peace settling deep within me.

Whatever waited for us down that road, we wouldn’t be facing it alone anymore.