LOGINI pulled out my phone. Texted Marcus: *Hey, status update? How's pack defense going?* The response came immediately: *All quiet. Rogues haven't returned. Nate, where are you? You and Alpha Jeremy disappeared—* *With Rose. Handling mate bond stuff. Be back soon.* *Good. Give Rose my best. Tell
"No." Rose's voice was firm. "We're doing this. We're getting answers. We're—we're ending this so I can go home." Home. She called Crescent Moon Pack home. Despite everything. Despite the threats and attacks and war. That was—that was everything. A car approached. Old. Beaten. Not pack vehicle
"He's right." Dad sighed. "Cas, if Rose is determined—and it sounds like she is—we need to work with that. Make the meeting as secure as possible. Get the information. And if it's a trap, we're prepared to respond." Uncle Cas was quiet for a long moment. Then: "Fine. But we do this my way. Full va
The Rejected Mate Nate pov I stood in my father's office, having just delivered the news about Jessica's contact with Rose. Dad looked furious. Uncle Cas looked—lethal. Both processing the information at vampire and Alpha speed. "Jessica Matthews contacted Rose directly," Dad repeated. "Afte
"Then that's something for pack justice to sort out. Not for my mate to handle personally." His voice softened. "Rose, please. Don't do this. Don't meet Jessica. Don't leave Nightshade security. Don't—don't give extremists another chance to hurt you." "But if she has information that ends the war—
*I'm sending you proof. One piece. Then you decide if you believe me.* A photo appeared. Grainy. Taken from distance. But clear enough. A wolf I recognized. Standing with known rogues. Discussing something. The timestamp showed two days ago—the day before the ultimatum messages started. I zoom
Silence on the other end. Then: "You're talking about Alpha Jeremy Trent's daughter. Lord Castellan's niece. That Grace Trent." "Yes." "Miss Vex, do you understand what you're asking? The Trent pack has vampire alliance. Has Council connections. Has one of the most powerful supernatural coalitio
"How much time?" "Grace gave me twenty-four hours. I have eighteen left." "She gave you a deadline?" Courtney's laugh was sharp. "That's very—controlling. Connor, is that really the kind of mate you want? Someone who issues ultimatums?" *She's protecting herself. She saw you with Courtney and
My Cheating Mate Grace pov The porch had always been my thinking spot. The place I came when my mind was too loud and my studio felt too small. Tonight it felt appropriate—sitting in the dark, watching nothing, waiting for something that probably wasn't coming. Nineteen hours since I'd given C
"Do you ever think about where we'd be if you hadn't made that phone call?" Emma's voice was quiet. "That night, six years ago, when you called Cas for help with Black River?" "Sometimes. Usually when I'm watching him explain horse parliamentary procedures to our daughter with complete seriousness







