LOGINThis wasn't Beta Marcus. This was someone higher. Someone with more authority. Someone who— "Nate." Rose's voice. Terrified. "Nate, look." I turned. Followed her pointing finger. Standing on the pack house steps. Watching the chaos with satisfaction. Not Marcus. Not any pack member I'd sus
*Thank you for leaving. Made this so much easier. By the time you return, Crescent Moon Pack will understand what happens to integration supporters. Jessica played her part perfectly. You played yours. Everyone did exactly what we predicted. See you soon. Or what's left of you.* I showed it to eve
The Rejected Mate Nate pov Something was wrong. The thought kept circling through my mind as Uncle Cas drove us back to Crescent Moon Pack at vampire speed. Dad in the passenger seat reviewing evidence on Jessica's phone. Rose beside me in the back, holding my hand, looking relieved that we fi
I 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
*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
My Cheating Mate Emma pov The words on the page blurred together for the third time in as many minutes. I wasn't really reading anymore—just staring at the same paragraph, my mind replaying the same circular thoughts I'd been having for weeks. I love him. He hurt me. I love him. He betra
"And Vanessa?" I had to know. "Do you still have feelings for her?" "No." His answer was immediate, certain. "What I felt for Vanessa—it wasn't love. It was familiarity. Comfort. A fantasy I'd built up over years that had nothing to do with reality. When she showed her true nature, when she hired
"You don't," I admitted. "You can't know for sure. That's what makes trust so hard—it requires a leap of faith. But Emma, I can tell you what's different now." "Tell me." "Before, I took you for granted. Thought the mate bond meant you'd always be there no matter what I did. I didn't value what







