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."
"What do you recommend?" "Full security. My vampires surrounding the meeting location. Your father and Marcus present but armed. Emma and Grace nowhere near the actual meeting—they stay upstairs, protected by my best warriors." He paused. "And you need to be prepared for them to say things designe
The honesty was refreshing. And somehow more reassuring than empty promises would have been. "Fair enough." I started up the stairs. "Forty-five minutes. We'll be ready." I checked on Emma and Grace first—both still sleeping peacefully. I left them there, closing the door quietly, before heading
My Cheating Mate Jeremy pov The drive home was the longest and shortest of my life simultaneously. Every mile felt like victory. Every breath felt like peace finally settling over us after months of chaos. We'd won. The hunters were neutralized. Dr. Chen was cooperating. The alliance with Lord
My Cheating Mate Jeremy pov The armory felt different this time. Quieter. More controlled. No pack-wide mobilization, no warrior teams gearing up together with the energy of anticipated battle. Just me. Lord Castellan. Three of his most trusted vampire lieutenants. My father. And Marcus—the on







