My Cheating Mate (Emma and Jeremy) novel Chapter 197

Chapter 197

“How much time?”

“Grace gave me twenty four hours. I have eighteen left.”

“She gave you a deadline?” Courtney’s laugh was sharp. “That’s very–controlling Connor, is that really the kind of mate you want? Someone who issues ultimatums?”

*She’s protecting herself. She saw you with Courtney and set a boundary. That’s HEALTHY.*

My wolf was defending Grace. Of course he was. But was he right?

“I don’t think it’s an ultimatum,” I said slowly. “I think it’s self–protection. She walked in on me kissing you On me choosing to stay with you even after recognizing the bond. She’s giving me time to decide if I actually want her or if she should reject the bond and move on.”

“Or she’s manipulating you. Making you feel guilty for having a life before the mate bond appeared.” Courtney squeezed my hand. “Connor, you’re allowed to have feelings for someone other than your fated mate. You’re allowed to choose based on who you actually know and care about rather than mystical destiny.”

She was making sense. Kind of. In the way that lies wrapped in truth always made sense.

“I just-” I ran my free hand through my hair. “I need to think.”

“About what? About whether you want me or the weird artist girl who barely knows you exist?” Courtney’s voice was getting sharper. “Connor, be honest. Have you and Grace ever had a real conversation? Do you even know what she’s interested in besides painting and spending time with vampires?”

No. I didn’t. I’d known Grace my entire life and I couldn’t name a single thing about her beyond “quiet” and ” artistic” and “close with Lord Castellan.”

“Exactly,” Courtney said, reading my silence correctly. “You don’t know her. But you know me. We’ve spent six months learning each other. Building something real. Why would you throw that away for a stranger?”

*She’s not a stranger. She’s MATE. We know her scent. Know her soul. Know she’s OURS.*

My wolf’s certainty was absolute. But wolves didn’t have to navigate pack politics or social dynamics or the reality of choosing a mate everyone knew was different.

“I need to go.” I stood abruptly. “Courtney, I’m sorry. I can’t–I need to think. Alone.”

“You’re leaving? In the middle of our dinner?” She looked hurt. Genuinely hurt. “Connor, please. Don’t do this.”

“I’m not doing anything. I just–I need space. To figure out what I actually want.”

“What you want?” Her voice rose slightly. Other diners were definitely listening now. “Connor, I’ve been nothing but supportive and understanding. I’m sitting here telling you I’m willing to fight for us despite the mate bond. And you’re leaving?”

“I’m sorry.”

I left. Probably left her with the bill, which was awful. But I couldn’t breathe in that restaurant anymore. Couldn’t think with Courtney’s perfectly logical arguments mixing with my wolf’s howling and the mare bond pulling me

toward wherever Grace was

I drove. Aimlessly at first, then with increasing purpose toward Crescent Moon pack lands. Toward where Grace lived.

#15 Bonus

Fourteen hours left. I had fourteen hours to make a choice.

Go to Grace. Acknowledge the mate bond. Start building whatever we were supposed to build.

Or go back to Courtney. Reject the bond. Choose the relationship I’d already started.

My wolf knew which choice he wanted. Was making it very clear through constant internal howling and the way my hands shook on the steering wheel from resisting the urge to shift and run straight to Grace.

But I didn’t know. Didn’t know if I was strong enough to choose complicated. To be the mate a girl like Grace deserved someone who’d stand beside her family’s controversial integration model, who’d defend her artistic choices, who’d be Uncle Cas’s nephew–in–law without flinching.

Courtney was right about one thing: I didn’t know Grace. Didn’t know what she cared about beyond surface observations.

But I had fourteen hours to figure it out.

Fourteen hours to decide if I was brave enough to try.

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