My Cheating Mate (Emma and Jeremy) novel Chapter 151

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Chapter 151

*The choice, as always, is yours.*

*Respectfully,*

*The Council of Preservation*

The paper crumpled in my hand as my grip tightened involuntarily. My wolf was surging forward, demanding I shift, demanding I hunt, demanding I destroy whoever had sent this.

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“They want Grace.” Emma’s voice was hollow. “They want to take our daughter and put her in some- some indoctrination camp.”

“And they want Cas executed.” The words came out as a growl. “For the crime of being part of our family.”

Marcus was reading over my shoulder now. “This is a declaration of war. They’re not negotiating-they’re issuing an ultimatum.”

“Thirty days.” I looked across the yard to where Cas was helping Grace collect her new toys, both of them laughing about something. My daughter, completely unaware that an eight-hundred-year-old organization had just demanded her removal. My friend-and yes, he was my friend, whatever else he was-facing execution for daring to be Uncle Cas instead of staying in his prescribed role.

“We don’t comply.” The decision was instant, absolute. “Not with any of this.”

“Jeremy-” Marcus’s voice was careful. “If we refuse, they’re threatening to attack. To take Grace by force. These aren’t empty words-the Council has resources we can’t match.”

“Then we get more resources.” I looked at Emma. “We call in every ally we have. Every pack we’ve helped over the past five years. Every vampire coven that’s formed integration agreements like ours. We show the Council that we’re not isolated anymore.”

“They’ll call that proof of our dangerous ideology spreading.” Emma’s hands were shaking but her voice was steady. “They’ll say we’re corrupting other territories.”

“Good. Let them say it.” I crumpled the letter completely. “Because we have been spreading it. Five years of proving integration works. Of showing that wolves and vampires can build something together. Of raising Grace in a world where Uncle Cas at family dinners is normal.”

Cas had noticed something was wrong. He was walking toward us now, Grace’s hand in his, his expression shifting from playful to predatory in an instant.

“What happened?” he asked quietly.

I handed him the crumpled letter. Watched his eyes scan it. Watched his expression go completely blank -that particular vampire stillness that meant fury beyond human expression.

“They want Grace in a Council facility.” His voice was ice. “They want me dead. They’re giving you thirty days.”

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“We’re not complying.”

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“Jeremy, they’ll come. With everything they have. This isn’t like before-this is official Council action. Every aligned territory will support them.” He looked at Grace, who was showing her grandmother a new stuffed animal, oblivious. “They’ll bring an army.”

“Then we build one too.” I met his eyes. “Cas, five years ago you asked if we were willing to build this world knowing the Council would keep coming. We said yes. Nothing’s changed.”

“Everything’s changed. Grace is five years old now, not an infant. They can’t threaten her as a symbol anymore-they have to actually take her. Actually indoctrinate her. That’s-” His jaw tightened. “That’s significantly worse.”

“Which is why we don’t let them.” Emma’s voice was steel now. “Cas, you’ve spent five years being Uncle Cas. Playing with Grace, attending her birthdays, teaching her about vampire culture. Are you really going to walk away now because the Council says you have to?”

“Of course not.” The answer was immediate. “But Emma, they want me dead. If I stay, I’m painting a target on this entire pack.”

“You’re already part of this pack. The target’s already here.” I looked at the letter again. “They mention you by name. Say your influence is spreading dangerous ideology. Cas, you’re not just protecting Grace anymore-you’re the example. Proof that vampires and wolves can be family. That’s what they really want to kill.”

He was quiet for a moment, watching Grace with an expression that held centuries of grief and fierce protectiveness.

“I’m not leaving,” he said finally. “Not Grace. Not you. Not this family we’ve built. If the Council wants to execute me for it, they’re welcome to try.” 1

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