LOGINThe dread was still there. Heavy. Insistent. The mate bond warning that danger was—was coming. That Emily's plan was—was bigger than we'd anticipated. "Tell me about the dread," Hope said quietly. "Caden, describe it. What—what exactly are you feeling through the bond?" "Warning. Like—like somet
"And while we're watching Liam's meeting—while we're focused on gathering evidence against Emily—she's—she's gathering evidence against you." Hope's calm was gone now. Replaced by real fear. "Caden, she could—could destroy the bond by making me think you're—you're not committed. That you're—you're p
The Next Generation Caden pov One hour until Liam's meeting with Emily and I felt—wrong. The mate bond was humming with tension. With—with warning that something wasn't right. I watched Hope pace the Reed-Castellan living room, phone in hand, expression calm. Too calm. Like she was—was preparin
"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.
My Cheating Mate Emma pov The coffee shop was warm and familiar, a place I'd come to dozens of times before everything fell apart. Jeremy sat across from me at a corner table, his hands wrapped around a glass of water instead of the coffee he used to drink black with two sugars. He looked terr
Was he right? Was I only sorry because I'd been caught, because Emma had left, because I was facing the loss of everything? No. The realization settled in my chest with surprising clarity. I was sorry because I'd hurt her. Because I'd seen the devastation in her eyes, heard the pain in her voice,
My Cheating Mate Jeremy pov The bakery's cinnamon roll scent had just hit my nose when the sirens blared—three sharp wails that made every wolf in hearing distance freeze. Attack. Rogues. All fighters to defensive positions. My wolf surged forward instantly, years of training overriding the
*Dr. Chen asked me today if I'm stuck in self-punishment. If I'm using guilt as a way to avoid moving forward. I didn't have an answer. But sitting here now, alone in this house that should have been ours, I think maybe she's right.* *I'm stuck. Stuck in the guilt. Stuck in the self-loathing. Stuc







