Chapter 248

Jacob's Perspective The next morning, I was woken by sunlight and a deeply pleasurable ache. Celena was curled against me, sleeping soundly, her face holding a sated, childlike peace. And I… I felt incredible. Better than ever. The world was sharp and bright, even the sparrows outside sounded sweeter. When we dressed—Celena insisted on a high neckline, though the fresh mark below her collarbone and its subtle scent was a beacon to any werewolf—and walked into the kitchen, the first one to see us was Lily. She was clutching a coffee mug, bleary-eyed. But when her gaze swept over us, lingering on the hint of the mark at Celena’s throat and the undeniable, mingled scent that now clung to us, her eyes went wide. The mug wobbled. “Holy shit…” she breathed, her stare darting between Celena and me, her mouth slowly dropping open before splitting into a huge grin—a mix of shock, glee, and supreme ‘I-told-you-so’ satisfaction. Renee, coming in from the pantry with a skillet,