My Cheating Mate (Emma and Jeremy) novel Chapter 10

My hand drifted unconsciously to my stomach. Thank the Moon Goddess I’d been on birth control. Jeremy didn’t know—I’d told him I wanted to wait a year before trying for pups, to enjoy being newlyweds first. He’d agreed easily enough, probably relieved to delay that part of his plan.

Now I understood why.

A knock on the door made me jump, my wolf immediately on high alert, I hadn’t ordered food. Hadn’t called for housekeeping. No one knew I was here.

“Who is it?” I called, keeping my voice steady.

“Manager, ma’am. Need to discuss your payment.”

I relaxed slightly. Right. I’d been here almost a week. They probably wanted me to pay for another week or move out.

I opened the door, keeping the chain lock engaged. The manager–a tired–looking middle–aged woman with graying hair- stood on the other side.

“Sorry to bother you, honey, but we need to settle up if you’re planning to stay longer. Cash only, remember?”

“Of course. Let me grab my wallet.”

I retrieved the cash I’d withdrawn from my secret account—small amounts from different ATMs to avoid leaving a trail—and paid for another week. The manager counted it carefully, then looked at me with an expression that might have been concern.

“You doing okay? You’ve been real quiet. No visitors, barely leave your room.”

“I’m fine,” I lied. “Just going through some things. Needed time alone.”

She studied me for a moment longer, and I wondered what she saw. Red–rimmed eyes? The weight I’d lost from barely eating? The haunted look I couldn’t quite hide?

“Well, you need anything, you let me know. And honey?” She paused at the door. “Whatever you’re running from—and don’t bother denying it, I’ve been doing this job twenty years–make sure you’re not just running. Sometimes you gotta turn around and fight.”

She left before I could respond.

I closed the door and leaned against it, her words echoing in my head.

Turn around and fight.

But how? Jeremy was the Alpha’s son. Vanessa’s family was influential in pack politics. I was just the Beta’s daughter, and everyone knew Marcus was loyal to Alpha Richard above all else.

If I accused Jeremy publicly, if I showed that video to the pack, what would happen? Would they believe me? Or would they do exactly what Vanessa suggested–dismiss me as jealous, paranoid, unstable?

My phone buzzed again. This time it was my dad: “Emma, I love you and I’m trying to give you space like you asked. But Jeremy’s been asking questions. Pushing to know where you are. I can hold him off for a while, but not forever. Whatever you’re planning, you need to be ready.”

My hands shook as I read the message.

Jeremy was looking for me. Actively searching. And once he found me and he would eventually, through pack connections or sheer determination—what then?

Would he try to force me back? Demand I return and play the dutiful mate? Or would he finally do what he’d always planned and reject me?

+25 BONUS

I opened my research on pack law again, but this time I searched for something different: territorial asylum. The right of a wolf to seek protection from another pack if their own became unsafe. 2

If I could find a pack willing to take me in, to shield me from Jeremy and Crescent Moon politics, I might have a chance. A real chance to heal, to plan, to figure out my next move without constantly looking over my shoulder.

But it was a long shot. Most Alphas wouldn’t want to get involved in mate bond disputes. It was messy, politically complicated, potentially dangerous.

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