My Cheating Mate (Emma and Jeremy) novel Chapter 22

Was he right? Was I only sorry because I’d been caught, because Emma had left, because I was facing the loss of everything? No. The realization settled in my chest with surprising clarity. I was sorry because I’d hurt her. Because I’d seen the devastation in her eyes, heard the pain in her voice, felt the way she’d blocked me out of the mate bond like I was poison.

I was sorry because Emma deserved so much better than what I’d given her.

“I love her,” I said quietly, surprising myself with the truth of it. “I know I have no right to say that after what I did. I know I never showed it, never acted like it. But watching those rogues come after her, seeing her fight, talking to her I realized I love her. And I’ve loved her for a while. I was just too fucked up to admit it.”

Marcus stared at me for a long moment. “You love her.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Do you have any idea how pathetic that sounds? You love her, but you spent six months fucking Vanessa behind her back?” He stepped even closer, his wolf in his eyes now. “You don’t get to love her, Jeremy. You don’t get to decide you want her now that she’s gone. That’s not how this works.”

“I know. And I’m not asking for forgiveness. I’m not asking for another chance. I just-“I met his eyes, letting him see the truth. “I just want her to be safe. To be happy. Even if that means being without me.”

“Noble words. Too bad they come too late.” Marcus’s fist connected with my jaw before I could react, sending me sprawling to the pavement. 2

I didn’t fight back. Didn’t defend myself. Just lay there, tasting blood, while the Beta stood over me.

“That,” he said coldly, “was from me. Emma’s planning her own revenge, and trust me, it’s going to hurt a lot worse than a punch.” He turned to walk away, then paused. “Oh, and Jeremy? Vanessa’s been making threats. Against Emma. Against pack stability. Your father’s put out a warrant for her arrest. She’s to be brought in for questioning about hiring rogues to attack a pack member.”

My head spun. “What? When?”

“About an hour ago. Seems the guards at your house found some interesting evidence–communications with known rogue contacts, money transfers. She’s been busy.” Marcus looked back at me with cold satisfaction. “Your mistress is going down, boy. And she’s probably going to take you with her.” 2

He walked back to his house, leaving me lying in the street, bleeding from a split lip and contemplating the complete destruction of my life.

My phone buzzed. A text from my father: “Emergency pack meeting. Tonight. 8 PM. Your presence is required.”

Another text, this one from the pack’s head enforcer: “Vanessa Quinn has fled pack lands. Considered dangerous. If you have information about her whereabouts, report immediately.”

Vanessa had run. Of course she had. She knew the evidence would damn her, knew the consequences for hiring rogues to attack a pack member–especially the future Luna.

I pulled myself up off the pavement and got back in my car. My face throbbed where Marcus had hit me, but I welcomed the pain. It was nothing compared to what I’d put Emma through.

Tonight’s pack meeting was going to be a disaster. My father would have to address my affair, Emma’s disappearance, Vanessa’s crimes. The pack would demand answers.

And Emma would probably stand up and show everyone that video.

I was going to lose everything. The respect of the pack. My position as future Alpha. Possibly my place in the pack entirely, depending on how severe the council decided my punishment should be.

1/2

Chover 23

+25 BONUS

All because I’d been too selfish, too arrogant, too blind to see what I had until it was gone.

I looked up at Marcus’s house one more time. Emma was in there somewhere, probably planning exactly how she was going to destroy me at tonight’s meeting.

And I was going to let her. Was going to stand there and take whatever she threw at me, accept whatever punishment the pack deemed appropriate.

It was the least I could do.

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