ANMELDEN"I trust you too. Caden, I trust that—that you chose me. That you'll keep choosing me. That Emily's pursuit doesn't—doesn't tempt you. Doesn't make you question whether comfortable friendship with her is—is easier than complicated bond with me." "It's not about easy. It's about right. You're right
Caden kissed my shoulder. "You're devious. Hope Reed-Castellan, you're absolutely devious and I love it." "I'm protecting the bond. Emily wants to play games? Fine. We play smarter. We—we gather evidence instead of just reacting. We build case that gets her exiled if she doesn't back down." "I'l
The Next Generation Hope pov I sat in Caden's lap, comfortable and warm, his arms around me while we watched a movie. The mate bond hummed contentedly. Three days since we'd acknowledged it, and already it felt—felt natural. Right. Like we'd always been meant to be exactly here. My phone rang.
Three dots appeared. Then: **Liam:** Sure? What kind of advice? Is everything okay with you and Hope? **Emily:** Not really. We had—had a fight. About Caden. The whole mate bond situation. I just—I need perspective from someone who knows her. Someone who can help me understand if—if she's really
The Next Generation Emily pov I slammed my bedroom door so hard the walls shook. Screamed. Actually screamed. Let all the rage and hurt and—and betrayal out in one long, furious sound that probably had my parents running to check if I was okay. I wasn't okay. I was—I was devastated. Destroye
I thought about it. About Emily's determination. Her strategic mind. Her—her refusal to accept that the mate bond was non-negotiable. "I'm worried she'll try to create doubt. Make you think—think I'm not committed. Or make me think you're—you're not worth the complications. She could—could spread
My Cheating Mate Emma pov The kitchen smelled like garlic and rosemary—a roast I was attempting for the pack dinner tonight. Grace was in her playpen in the corner, babbling at her toys with the intense focus only a thirteen-month-old could manage. She'd just started walking last week, and now e
My Cheating Mate Grace pov I didn't understand why everyone was so serious all the time lately. Mama and Daddy kept having quiet conversations that stopped when I walked into rooms. Uncle Cas didn't smile as much, even when I showed him my new drawings. Grandpa Richard kept checking all the w
We spent the next hour going over every detail. Vampire positions. Communication protocols. Contingency plans if things went wrong. Extraction routes if Emma and Grace needed to be pulled out quickly. It was thorough. Professional. Exactly the kind of planning that should have made me feel confide
"Emma, three hostiles approaching your six," I said into the comm. "Don't react. Let them get close. Vampires will handle it." "Copy." Her voice was steady. "I trust you." Those three words. After everything we'd been through. After all the betrayals and rebuilding and impossible choices. She







