Mag-log inI 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
My father's hand slammed on the table. "Jeremy Alexander Trent, that is enough!" I'd never heard him use that tone with me in public. Never heard his Alpha voice directed at me with such fury. "You are not on trial here," he continued, his voice shaking with barely controlled anger. "You are gui
My Cheating Mate Jeremy pov The bed was soft. Too soft. When had my bed gotten this soft? I tried to remember the last time I'd actually slept in it. Days? A week? Everything was blurring together—intelligence briefings, tracking rogue movements, coordinating with allied packs. Emma's words
"Yes, Alpha," Marcus said quietly. "This council is dismissed." My father stood. "Jeremy, my office. Now." I followed him in silence through the pack house corridors. Pack members pressed against the walls as we passed, sensing their Alpha's fury. No one dared speak or make eye contact. Inside
"Emma, wait—" But she was gone, practically running from the observation room. My father put a hand on my shoulder. "Give her space. This was hard for her. Hearing Vanessa's threats, watching her die—Emma needs time." "What if Vanessa was telling the truth?" I asked. "About the rogues? About h







