LOGINThree dots appeared. Then: **Liam:** Sure? What kind of advice? Is everything okay with you and Hope? **Emily:** Not really. We had—had a fight. About Caden. The whole mate bond situation. I just—I need perspective from someone who knows her. Someone who can help me understand if—if she's really
The Next Generation Emily pov I slammed my bedroom door so hard the walls shook. Screamed. Actually screamed. Let all the rage and hurt and—and betrayal out in one long, furious sound that probably had my parents running to check if I was okay. I wasn't okay. I was—I was devastated. Destroye
I thought about it. About Emily's determination. Her strategic mind. Her—her refusal to accept that the mate bond was non-negotiable. "I'm worried she'll try to create doubt. Make you think—think I'm not committed. Or make me think you're—you're not worth the complications. She could—could spread
The Next Generation Caden pov Hope opened the door and I immediately pulled her into my arms. She smelled incredible. Like jasmine and something uniquely vampire. Uniquely Hope. The mate bond singing with rightness. With—with certainty that this was exactly where I belonged. I kissed her nec
"For acting on those feelings despite knowing it's wrong. Emily, I'm giving you chance to stop voluntarily. To accept that I'm mated to Hope and—and maintain friendship within appropriate boundaries. Or—or you can keep pursuing me and face exile. Your choice." "This is Hope's doing. She's—she's ma
"Emily's going to be hurt. Angry. She'll—she'll see this as me choosing Hope over our friendship." "You are choosing Hope over the friendship. Because Hope is your mate and Emily is—is friend who crossed boundaries. Those aren't equal relationships, Caden. The mate bond takes priority. Always."
Marcus came out of nowhere. A blur of brown fur slamming into the leader from the side. Father and daughter. Protecting each other. They rolled, savage and desperate. Marcus was good—Beta for a reason—but the leader was better. More experienced. More brutal. I reached them and dove in, three wol
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
My Cheating Mate Jeremy pov Dawn broke gray and cold, the sky threatening rain. Fitting weather for an execution. I stood beside Emma in the observation area, separated from the execution grounds by a thick pane of reinforced glass. My father stood on Emma's other side, with Beta Marcus just b







