My Cheating Mate (Emma and Jeremy) novel Chapter 199

Chapter 199

“You have ten seconds to get off my property,” I said quietly. “Or I’m calling my father and having you removed for trespassing and harassment.”

“Harassment?” She laughed. “Grace, I’m just being honest. Something your family wouldn’t recognize. You’ve all been lying to yourselves for so long about how normal your vampire obsession is-“↑

“Five seconds.”

“–that you can’t see how uncomfortable you make everyone. How wrong it is. My father says

The front door opened. Uncle Cas stepped out, and the temperature seemed to drop ten degrees.

“Courtney Vex.” His voice was pleasant ice. “You’re on Trent property uninvited, harassing the Alpha’s daughter, and insulting her family. I’d suggest you leave. Immediately.”

Courtney paled. Whatever else she was, she wasn’t stupid enough to mouth off to Lord Castellan directly.

“I was just — ”

“Leaving. You were just leaving.” He moved to stand beside me, not threatening but unmistakably present. “Now. Before I’m forced to mention this incident to Alpha Jeremy, who tends to take a dim view of pack members harassing his children.”

She left. Ran, actually–shifting mid–stride and disappearing into the woods as a blonde wolf.

I sat down hard on the porch steps, adrenaline making my hands shake.

“Are you alright?” Uncle Cas asked quietly.

“She said I’m using the mate bond as a weapon. That I don’t actually want Connor, I just want to prove integration works.” The words tumbled out. “Uncle Cas, what if she’s right?”

“She’s not right. She’s manipulating you.” He sat beside me. “Grace, you gave Connor a clear choice with a reasonable timeline. That’s not weaponizing the mate bond. That’s setting healthy boundaries.”

“But what if I am just–proving a point? What if I don’t actually want Connor but I want to show that mate bonds can work even when they’re complicated?”

“Do you want Connor?”

I thought about it honestly. “I don’t know. I don’t know him well enough to want him specifically. But I want–I want what the mate bond promises. Partnership. Understanding. Someone who’s supposed to be right for me.” I paused. “Is that wrong? To want the bond more than the person?”

“It’s honest.” Uncle Cas was quiet for a moment. “Grace, the mate bond is supposed to connect you with someone compatible. Someone who’ll complement you, challenge you, support you. If Connor was that person, he would have come to you by now. Would have chosen to get to know you instead of letting Courtney speak for you.”

“Four hours left.”

“I know.” He put his arm around my shoulders. “What are you going to do?”

“Wait. Like I said I would.” I leaned against him. “Uncle Cas Courtney said I hide behind you. That you solve all my problems.”

“Courtney says many things that are designed to hurt rather than inform. You’ve never hidden behind me, You’ve let me stand beside you. There’s a difference.”

“She called our family’s integration model a vampire obsession.”

+16 Borius

“Also designed to hurt. Also inaccurate.” He paused. “Grace Courtney Vex has spent years making you feel wrong for being who you are. For having a family that doesn’t fit pack norms. For pursuing art instead of traditional pack roles. Don’t let her words define you now.”

“But what if Connor believes her? What if he thinks I’m wrong too?”

“Then he’s not worthy of you. And you reject the bond and find someone who is.”

We sat in silence for a while. The night was cold but clear, stars bright overhead. Somewhere out there, Connor was making his choice. Or not making it, which was also a choice.

“Grace?” Mama’s voice from the doorway again. “Connor’s here. He’s at the front gate asking to talk to you.”

My heart jumped. Four hours left and Connor was here. Actually here.

“Do you want to see him?” Uncle Cas asked quietly.

Did I? Did I want to hear whatever excuses or explanations he had? Did I want to give him the chance I’d promised?

“Yes,” I said. “But Uncle Cas-

11

“I’ll be inside if you need me. So will your parents.” He stood. “Grace, remember: you don’t owe him anything except what you already promised. An honest hearing. After that, your choice is yours alone.”

He went inside. Mama gave me an encouraging look and followed.

I walked to the front gate alone.

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