The Reborn Omega's Revenge (Valencia)
Revenge Novel 26

Chapter 26

Chapter 26

Valencia's POV

I stole a glance at Marcelene from the corner of my eye as she drove. Her hands gripped the wheel tightly, her jaw set in a stony expression. The tension in the car was suffocating, and I knew it wasn't just because of the long drive.

It had been five days since Mario's death.

Marcelene had thrown herself back into work almost immediately. She didn't speak about it, but the faint redness around her eyes and the tightness in her posture told me everything I needed to know. She was grieving, holding herself together with iron will alone.

And me? I hated myself.

I had spent the past few days wrapped in guilt, replaying every moment over and over again, wondering what I could have done differently. What good were my memories of the future if I couldn't save the people who mattered most?

"Eyes on the road,” I mumbled, more to break the silence than anything. Marcelene didn't respond.

Outside, the early morning sunlight streaked through the trees lining the road to the academy. It was six in the morning.

Inside the Wolfe mansion, things had already returned to normal. The brief mourning period was over, and the servants bustled about with their usual efficiency. It was like nothing had happened. It was like those soldiers, hundreds of wolves, hadn't died for absolutely no reason.

No one spoke to me, and for once, I was grateful. The prior heavy layer of grief surrounding the house had kept them from tormenting me, and I'd taken full advantage.

Each morning, I left for the academy,early, avoiding the family as much as possible. I stayed at the library until closing time, burying myself in books and scribbled plans to prevent future tragedies.

But the memories haunted me.

Mario's death hadn't just been a failure.

It was a reminder that fate, no matter how much I tried to change it, had a way of bending reality to its will.

I rubbed my palms together, my thoughts straying to the events of my previous life.

A year from now, the war would have reached its peak. The wolves of both packs would be sent to battle, the fields drenched in blood. After Alpha Roman's death, morale had crumbled, and Jaxon and I had been forced to assist on the battlefield.

I'd served as a nurse, patching up the injured as best I could. It wasn't much, but I had done what I could with the limited- knowledge I'd gained.

That was where I'd first met Marcelene.

She had been a stubborn, sharp-tongued soldier, hef arm shattered in two places. I'd treated her despite her protests, ignoring her biting remarks. Back then, we'd barely tolerated each other. I'd been too bitter about Jaxon's neglect to appreciate her company, and she'd been too angry arthe world to care.

It wasn't until the ambush that everything changed.

That night, I'd woken her from her delirium and dragged her to safety, carrying her on my back to a dilapidated shed far from the battlefield. She had healed overnight, her wolf's natural resilience saving her.

1/3

Chapter 26

Months later, the roles were reversed.

I had been gravely injured in an attack, an arrow piercing my side.

Marcelene, grumbling the entire time, had carried me back to the soldiers' tent. And right as we had entered, she had put me down and collapsed on the side. That's when I had realized that she had shielded me from further attacks, taking three arrows and a fatal blow herself.

Her final breath had been on my lap.

I shuddered, the memory clawing at my chest. Marcelene couldn't die again. I wouldn't let her.

The car jolted slightly as we hit a bump, and I snapped out of my thoughts, letting out a hiss, feeling a sharp pain in my abdomen. Marcelene glanced at me, her brow furrowed. "You okay?"

"Yeah, I muttered, rubbing my belly. "Just tired."

She didn't press further, and I was thankful for that.

As we neared the academy, I thought of Dante and his question. My heart tightened in my chest.

The proposal.

For days, I had agonized over it. My attraction to him was undeniable, but could I trust him? Could I trust myself?

I had to take off my rose colored glasses and think with a clear head. Did I really want to risk my life once again for some small attraction that would probably soon pass? If I agreed to this marriage on a whim and got trapped in enemy territory without a way out then. No. I nodded resolutely. I wouldn't risk

I had learned my lesson with Jaxon. What if the same fate awaited me with Dante?

I clenched my fists.

If I ever married, it wouldn't be to someone who could destroy me. A human, maybe, someone whose strength couldn't trap me. Someone I could escape from if things turned sour.

The risks of marrying an Alpha wolf were too great, especially someone from an enemy pack.

My thoughts were interrupted when I unconsciously rubbed my abdomen, the dull ache returning.

“Are you still having cramps? Marcelene asked suddenly.

I nodded. “Yeah. They're getting worse. I should probably get checked out for a tumor or something." I scoffed.

“Have your periods started?" she pressed, her tone wary.

I shook my head. "No. My periods are late, and my heat hasn't come either."

Marcelene raised a skeptical brow. “Are you sure you're not-

“I'm not pregnant,” I snapped, cutting her off. “At least, I don't think I am. I don't have time to think about it right now.” Marcelene sighed but didn't push further.

"What are you going to do about the marriage?” she asked after a moment.

I stared out the window. "Pray that Jaxon throws another tantrum and forces them to decline. I just need a little more time

here.

BOXE

Chapter 26

Marcelene's hands tightened on the steering wheel. "You don't have to do that, you know. You don't have to stay for me."

I shook my head. “I hate it here. Marcelene. But you're here. And I can't let you die again. I need one more year. Once I'm sure you'll be okay, I'll leave."

The air in the car grew heavy, her knuckles whitening as she gripped the wheel.

"You don't have to save me," she said softly.

I didn't respond. I couldn't.

The rest of the day passed in a blur. Classes, lectures, hours spent in the library trying to distract myself. By

the time Marcelene drove me home, I was exhausted.

The mansion was eerily silent when I entered.

I stopped a passing butler. "What's going on?"

“The Steele Pack Alphas are having a meeting,” he said, bowing slightly,

I tensed. "Already? I thought they were supposed to meet tomorrow,"

He didn't answer, and I quickly made my way upstairs, my heart pounding-

I needed to get to my room, to hide until the meeting was over. My nerves were already frayed from the day,

and the last thing I needed was to run into anyone—especially Dante.

Turning a corner, I collided with something hard.

I stumbled back, nearly falling. A familiar scent of smoke and forest filled my senses, and my heart stopped.

Damn it. I'should have taken the kitchen elevator.

I didn't need to look up to know who it was.

Dante Steele.