My Cheating Mate (Emma and Jeremy) novel Chapter 256

Chapter 256

+15 Bonus

Chapter 256

“Still feels like it’s my fault.”

“It’s the Preservation Front’s fault. Marcus and Elena’s fault. The fault of wolves who think violence is an acceptable response to families choosing love over tradition.” I kissed her forehead. “Not your fault. Never your fault.”

We sat together while Grace processed. Relief that Uncle Cas was alive mixing with worry about his injuries mixing with exhaustion from seven days of anxiety.

“What happens now?” she asked finally.

“Now we wait. Victoria or your father will update us when there’s more to know. When Uncle Cas is stable enough to travel. When Marcus and Elena are-handled.” I paused. “Grace, this could take hours. Maybe all night. You should eat something. Actual food, not just coffee.”

“I’m not hungry-”

“You haven’t eaten properly in a week. Your uncle is going to be very upset if he comes home and finds out you made yourself sick worrying about him.” I used Uncle Cas as motivation deliberately. “Grace, take care of yourself so when he gets back, he can focus on healing instead of lecturing you about self-

care.”

That got a watery laugh. “He would lecture me. Would sit me down and explain very seriously about the importance of eating and sleeping even during crisis.”

“Exactly. So let’s avoid that lecture by actually eating and sleeping.” I stood, pulling her up. “Come on. Kitchen. Real food. Then we wait together for more updates.”

“Together,” she agreed. “Connor, thank you. For-for staying with me through this. For not getting frustrated when I spiraled. For being-for being exactly what I needed even when I was impossible.”

“You weren’t impossible. You were scared.” I pulled her close. “Grace, that’s what mates do. Stay through the scary parts. Hold each other when things are hard. Be present even when we can’t fix it.”

“I love you.”

“I love you too. Now come on. Food. Before I have to explain to both your father and Uncle Cas why ! let you starve yourself.”

We went to the kitchen. I made her eat-actual food, protein and vegetables and things her body needed after a week of stress and inadequate nutrition. She managed half before pushing the plate away.

“That’s enough for now,” I said. “Grace, you did good. Ate something. That’s progress.”

My phone buzzed. Both of us froze.

Alpha Jeremy: *It’s done. Marcus Dane is dead. Elena Frost is captured. The Preservation Front is finished. Connor, tell Grace-tell her Uncle Cas is safe now. The threat is over.*

Chapter 256

I showed Grace the text. Watched relief transform her face complanal

“It’s over,” she whispered. “Connor, it’s really over Marcus and lens are here shopped inde Cess

safe.”

“He’s safe. The Preservation Front is ended. And he’s coming home pulled he

you can breathe now. Can stop worrying Your uncle is alive and the extrem

She cried again. Different tears this time. Relief Joy Overwhelming gratitude that the nightmare was finally over.

“When can I see him?” she asked between sobs.

“Soon. As soon as he’s stable enough to travel. I held her tight. “Grace, he’s going to be ca to come home and you’re going to show him the painting you made and he’s going to compla silver wounds and everything will be-normal. Our version of normal

“Normal with a vampire uncle who hunts extremists.

“Exactly our version of normal.”

We stayed in the kitchen, holding each other, processing the news that the fight was finally over

Lord Castellan was alive. Injured but safe. The Preservation Front was ended

And Grace-my mate, my Grace-could finally breathe again.

Could finally sleep without nightmares. Eat without everything tasting like cardboard Exist without constant terror that her uncle was dying.

She needed him. Really, desperately needed him in a way I couldn’t fully provide

But he was coming home. Eventually. When the medical team cleared him.

He was coming home to the family that loved him. That needed him. That had been waitin impossible days to know he was safe.

Uncle Cas was coming home.

And everything-finally-was going to be okay.

Comments

Support

Chapter 25/