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 Jeremy pov The war room was packed—every warrior, enforcer, and combat-capable wolf in the pack, plus representatives from Silverbrook and Moonshadow. Maps covered the table, showing defensive positions, patrol routes, potential attack vectors. "Black River will likely strike
Jeremy's phone buzzed. He answered immediately. "Report." I couldn't hear the other side of the conversation, but I watched his face. Saw the tension increase, the lines around his eyes deepen. "Understood. Keep me updated." He hung up and finally turned from the window. "That was my father. The
My Cheating Mate Jeremy pov My father's office door was open when I arrived, but he was on the phone, his expression grave. He waved me in and gestured for me to sit. "I understand the situation," he was saying, his Alpha voice firm. "Yes. Coordinate with our border patrols. If they cross into
"And?" "And I can't keep doing that. Can't keep destroying myself and calling it protection." I set down my fork. "So I'm going to talk to my father about delegating more of the intelligence work. About only taking point on missions I'm actually needed for. About letting the pack handle this as a







