MasukThree 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."
My Cheating Mate Jeremy pov The bakery's cinnamon roll scent had just hit my nose when the sirens blared—three sharp wails that made every wolf in hearing distance freeze. Attack. Rogues. All fighters to defensive positions. My wolf surged forward instantly, years of training overriding the
My Cheating Mate Jeremy pov I sat in my car down the street from Beta Marcus's house, watching the door Emma had just closed. The finality of it felt like a physical blow—like watching the last chance I'd ever have with her disappear behind wood and paint. My wolf howled in my head, a sound of
"I did it for us!" Vanessa's composure finally cracked completely. "She was standing in our way! She was keeping you from claiming what's rightfully yours—what's rightfully ours! I love you, Jeremy. I've loved you for years. And I'm not going to let some nobody Beta's daughter take you from me!" "
Was he right? Was I only sorry because I'd been caught, because Emma had left, because I was facing the loss of everything? No. The realization settled in my chest with surprising clarity. I was sorry because I'd hurt her. Because I'd seen the devastation in her eyes, heard the pain in her voice,







