My Cheating Mate (Emma and Jeremy) novel Chapter 170

Chapter 170-

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Chapter 170

My wolf was surging. The barely contained fury that I’d been managing since the moment we sat down, threatening to break through every diplomatic protocol we’d prepared.

They wanted Grace reeducated. Wanted Cas dead. Had come to this table not to find genuine resolution but to find a framework that achieved their actual objectives while appearing reasonable.

“Lord Castellan isn’t dying,” I said. My voice came out wrong. Too low. Too much wolf in it. “Grace isn’t going to any Council facility. The alliance isn’t dissolving.” I looked at each representative. “If that’s not a framework you can work with, this meeting is over.”

“Alpha Trent-” Madeline started.

“We came here in good faith.” The wolf was pressing hard against the surface. “We sat across from people who tried to take our daughter and execute our friend and we listened respectfully and we engaged with your arguments. We gave you more courtesy than you’ve ever extended to us.” I pressed my palms flat against the table. “And what we got in return was very polished, very carefully worded versions of the same demands. Cas dies. Grace gets indoctrinated. Integration stops.”

“The framework we’re proposing-”

“Is a trap.” My father’s voice, quiet and absolute. “With respect, Madeline, we’ve been around long enough to recognize a trap with extra steps.”

Governor Soren stood abruptly. “This is pointless. They’re not negotiating. They’re performing cooperation while protecting positions that—”

“Sit down.” The words came out of me with Alpha command behind them. Every wolf in the room–including Soren- responded to it involuntarily. He sat. Looking furious about it. “We’re not done.”

Emma’s hand found mine under the table. Grounding me. Pulling me back from the edge where my wolf was trying to drag me. I took a breath.

“Here is what we’re actually offering,” I said, my voice controlled again. Barely. “The alliance stands. Cas stays. Grace grows up in her family–her whole family. In exchange, we’re willing to engage in ongoing dialogue about integration protocols. To acknowledge that the transition to integrated supernatural communities requires thoughtful management. To include Council input in how integration models develop–not as gatekeepers, but as voices.”

“You’re offering us a seat at a table you control,” Thomas said.

“We’re offering you the chance to shape something inevitable rather than fight it and lose.” Emma’s voice was steady. “Last night, fifteen of your people defected. Not because we recruited them–because they saw what we’ve built and couldn’t fight against it. That number will grow. Every integrated community that thrives makes your position less defensible. Every child like Grace who grows up thinking cooperation is normal makes the next generation harder to reach.”

“You can fight that. Keep fighting it. Watch more of your people defect. Watch more supernatural communities observe what integration actually looks like and choose it over your ideology.” I looked at each of them. “Or you can be part of shaping it. Setting standards. Ensuring it develops in ways that protect distinct species cultures while allowing cooperation. That’s real influence. Real power.”

Madeline and Thomas exchanged glances. Aldric was watching Cas with an expression I couldn’t entirely read.

“Lord Castellan,” Aldric said finally. “What did you give up? Truly. To become—what you’ve become.”

Cas considered the question seriously. “My certainty that I was beyond caring. My comfort with isolation. Several significant political levers.” He paused. “And in exchange, I received- He looked at me, at Emma. “A family. Purpose that extends beyond my own survival and political maneuvering. And a five–year–old who tells me that dark blue is a perfectly sophisticated color choice for vampire portraits.”

Something shifted in Aldric’s ancient face. “She sounds-

Chapter 170

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“Like a child,” Cas said simply. “Completely, ordinarily, wonderfully like a child. That’s what you’d be taking from the world by enforcing separation. Not some grand political symbol. Just a little girl who thinks horses should always be included in architecture and that her Uncle Cas has interesting hair.”

The room was quiet.

My wolf was still pacing. Still furious. Still wanting to throw the table across the room and demand they acknowledge clearly that what they’d tried to do was wrong. 1

But Emma’s hand was in mine. And Cas was sitting steady beside me. And my father’s presence was anchoring the room.

We’d said what needed saying. Made the offer that was genuinely on the table. The rest was theirs to decide.

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