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 Cheating Mate Emma pov I shouldn't be doing this. That's what I told myself as I let myself into Jeremy's house with the key I'd kept, armed with cleaning supplies and groceries. He was meeting with his father about the rogue situation, and I'd decided—impulsively, maybe foolishly—to take a
My Cheating Mate Jeremy pov The plan had been for Emma to stay at the pack house in the fortified safe room with maximum security. She'd agreed. Promised. Said she'd follow protocols. But when the alarms blared at 3 AM, she was still at my house. We'd talked strategy until midnight—my father
"I know. I'm done making that mistake." I paused. "Dad, I slept for twenty hours yesterday. My body literally shut down. That's not going to happen again." "How can I be sure?" "Because Emma will kill me if it does," I said, only half-joking. "She made it very clear—if I go back to those pattern
My Cheating Mate Jeremy pov The casserole was incredible. Real, home-cooked food instead of the protein bars and takeout that had become my diet. But more than the food, it was having Emma across the table from me, talking, laughing, just existing in the same space without the weight of therapy







