My Cheating Mate (Emma and Jeremy) novel Chapter 213

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Chapter 213

I thought about everything that had happened tonight. Courtney’s attack. Thomas’s visit. The words about Grace being wrong and inappropriate. The reality that this was just the beginning that there would be more wolves like Thomas, more judgment, more complications.

“Sir, I understand.” I stood, moving to Grace’s side. “I understand that choosing Grace means defending her from wolves who think she’s wrong. Means standing up to traditionalists who oppose integration. Means being okay with some wolves thinking i made a mistake.” I took Grace’s hand. “And I’m choosing her anyway. Not despite the complications. But because she’s worth it. Because Grace is exactly who she should be, and I want to be someone who’s strong enough to stand beside her.”

Alpha Jeremy studied me for a long moment. “You took a silver knife for her tonight.”

“Yes, sir.”

“That was instinct. Protection. The easy choice when there’s immediate danger” He paused. “The hard choice is tomorrow. And the day after. And every pack gathering where someone makes a comment. Every time a wolf like Thomas suggests you made the wrong choice. Can you make the hard choice repeatedly? Can you defend Grace when it’s not dramatic? When it’s just — constant, grinding pressure to conform?”

It was a fair question. An important one.

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“I don’t know,” I admitted. “Sir, I can’t promise I’ll be perfect. Can’t promise I’ll always be as brave as I should be. But I can promise I’ll try. That I’ll work on being strong enough to deserve Grace. That I’ll–that I’ll choose her. Every day. Even when it’s

hard.”

“That’s honest.” Alpha Jeremy’s expression softened slightly. “Connor, I’m not trying to scare you off. I’m trying to make sure you understand what my daughter needs. What she deserves.”

“I’m starting to understand, sir.”

“Good.” He moved to the window, looking out at the pack lands/“Thomas Vex is going to report tonight’s events to his Council contacts. He’s going to frame it as Grace manipulating the maté bond. As our family undermining traditional pack values. As Connor being forced into an inappropriate pairing.”

“Let him,” Lord Castellan said quietly. “Jeremy, the Council has been observing for years. They’ve seen integration work. They’ve seen Grace grow into an extraordinary young woman. They’ve seen Connor make his choice freely. Thomas’s framing won’t hold up to scrutiny.”

“Maybe. But it’ll cause problems anyway. Stir up the traditionalists. Make things difficult for Connor and Grace.”

“Then we deal with it,” Luna Emma said firmly. “Like we’ve dealt with everything else. Together.”

Grace leaned against me, her head on my shoulder. “Daddy, I know you’re worried. But Connor and I–we’re going to be okay. We’ll figure this out.”

“You’re eighteen, baby girl. You shouldn’t have to figure out how to handle pack politics about your mate bond.”

“I’m eighteen and I’m your daughter. I’ve been handling pack politics my whole life.” She smiled slightly. “Daddy, I literally correspond with an eleven–hundred–year–old vampire about governance and art. I think I can handle Thomas Vex and his opinions.”

That got a surprised laugh from Alpha Jeremy. “Fair point.”

“Besides,” Grace continued, “I have Connor now. And he’s–he’s trying. Learning to be brave. That’s–that’s worth a lot.”

Alpha Jeremy looked at me again. “Connor, I’m trusting you with my daughter. With someone who means everything to me. Don’t make me regret it.”

“I won’t, sir. I’ll–I’ll do my best to be worthy of that trust.”

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Charter 3

Connor-

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“your best had better be exceptional.” But his voice had lost some of its edge. “Now, it’s late. Grace, you should get some sleep.

He paused. “Your parents will be here tomorrow to discuss the Courtney situation. I’ve already called them.” “Yes, sir. Thank you, sir.

After Alpha Jeremy and Luna Emma left the room, Grace and I stood alone in the living room.

“Your father is terrifying,” I said.

“He’s protective. There’s a difference.” She looked up at me “Connor, are you okay? With everything he said? About the hard choices and the constant pressure?”

“I’m–processing.” I touched her face gently. “Grace, he’s right. Tonight was dramatte, Taking the knife was instinct. But tomorrow and every day after–that’s where it gets real.”

“I know.”

“But I meant what I said. I’m choosing you. I’m going to work on being strong enough to keep choosing you. Even when wolves like Thomas say I shouldn’t.”

“Okay.” She kissed me softly–our first real kiss as acknowledged mates. “Then we’ll figure it out together. One day at a time.”

“One Thomas Vex at a time.”

“Exactly.” She smiled. “Come on. You should go home. Get some real sleep. Tomorrow’s going to be–complicated.”

“Tomorrow’s going to be our first full day as mates.”

“Also complicated.”

“Worth it though.”

“Yeah,” she agreed. “Worth it.”

I left the Trent pack house half an hour later, my shoulder bandaged, my mate bond properly acknowledged, my future completely changed from what I’d planned twenty–four hours ago.

Thomas Vex thought Grace was wrong. Thought I’d made a mistake. Thought the mate bond was inappropriate.

He was wrong about all of it.

Grace was extraordinary. Choosing her was the first genuinely brave thing I’d done in my life. And the mate bond–the mate bond was the Moon Goddess giving me exactly what I needed, even if I’d been too scared to see it immediately.

Tomorrow I’d face my parents. Face the pack’s reactions. Face whatever political complications Thomas Vex stirred up with his Council contacts.

But tonight, I’d chosen my mate. Really chosen her. Despite the complications and the Thomas Vexes and the fear.

And that–that was worth everything.