My Cheating Mate (Emma and Jeremy) novel Chapter 265

Chapter 265

My Cheating Mate

Connor pov

The family dinner table filled quickly once Alpha Jeremy sent out the message that we had “important news to share.”

Mama and Dad arrived first, looking concerned. My mother immediately hugged Grace, asking if everything was okay. My father shook my hand, his grip firm, his eyes searching my face for clues about what this was about.

Alpha Jeremy and Luna Emma were already there, of course. They knew we had news but we’d asked to wait until everyone was present to share it. Luna Emma kept catching Grace’s eye, clearly trying to read her daughter’s mood. Alpha Jeremy sat at the head of the table with the careful neutrality of someone prepared for anything.

Nate bounded in, now thirteen and somehow even more energetic than before. “Is this about the baby? Because Grace has been weird lately and Mama’s been making those knowing faces–”

“Nate.” Luna Emma’s voice was firm. “Let them tell us.”

“I’m just saying, it’s obvious-” He caught Grace’s expression and stopped. “Never mind. I’ll wait.”

Lord Castellan arrived last, moving with the recovered grace of someone who’d spent months healing from silver wounds. He was back to full strength now, but I’d noticed he was more protective of Grace since returning from Chicago. More attentive. Like facing Marcus Dane and Elena Frost had reminded him how fragile everything could be.

He took his usual seat-the chair that had somehow become “Uncle Cas’s chair” over eighteen years of family dinners. Looked at Grace with those ancient eyes that saw too much. “Grace. You wanted to tell us something?”

Everyone turned to look at us. Grace’s hand found mine under the table, squeezing tight.

I cleared my throat. “We-Grace and I-we have news. Important news.” My voice came out steadier than I felt. “We’re-”

“Pregnant.” Grace said it quickly, like ripping off a bandage. “I’m pregnant. We’re having a baby.”

The table exploded.

Luna Emma burst into tears-happy ones, judging by her smile. My mother made a sound somewhere between a laugh and a sob. Alpha Jeremy stood abruptly, then sat back down like he wasn’t sure what physical reaction was appropriate.

Nate pumped his fist. “I KNEW IT. I’m going to be an uncle. That’s so cool. Can I teach them about dinosaurs? I’ve been working on an age-appropriate curriculum-

14

And Lord Castellan-Uncle Cas-moved.

Vampire fast. One moment in his chair, the next beside Grace, pulling her into a careful hug with the kind of reverence smally reserved for precious things.

“Grace,” he said quietly. Just her name. But the emotion in it-relief and joy and protectiveness and love said everything elan

“Uncle Cas” Grace was crying now, held tight by her vampire uncle. “We’re having a baby. You’re going to be you’re go be a great-uncle.”

“I’m going to be the most overprotective great uncle in supernatural history “His waley was tigh. “lace, they

wonderful tug

Alpha Jeremy had recovered enough, pulling both Grace and ine into a hong that grandeband We’re having a grandchild

“Connor’s gang to be a father” my roofton sald, wiping het eyes “ty baby in jo he has

+15 B

“Mom, please don’t call me your baby when we’re announcing my actual baby,” I said, but I was smiling.

The table dissolved into chaos, everyone talking at once, asking questions, offering congratulations. Luna Emma wanted to know how far along Grace was. My father was calculating due dates. Nate was already planning elaborate uncle activities. Lord Castellan had returned to his sear but kept looking at Grace with an expression I couldn’t quite name.

Pride, maybe. And something deeper. More emotional.

“Four weeks,” Grace was explaining to her mother. “Tjust found out this morning. We wanted to tell everyone together before- before anyone figured it out independently.”

“Undle Cas would have known within days,” Nate said confidently. “Vampire senses. He probably already suspected.”

“I didn’t suspect.” Lord Castellan’s voice was quiet. “Though now that Grace mentions it, there have been subtle changes in scent and biochemistry that I attributed to stress rather than-” He stopped. “A baby. Grace is having a baby.”

“Are you okay

“I’m proce pulled

ever

race asked. “You look-”

eyes. “Grace, I’ve been your uncle for nineteen years. Watched you grow from an infant who o creates beautiful integration pieces to a woman who showed mercy to Courtney despite you’re going to be a mother. That’s-” His voice caught. “That’s extraordinary.”

uncle,” Alpha Jeremy said. “Cas, you ready for that? For the next generation?”

nored and already planning enhanced security protocols for pregnant pack members during ideologically He smiled slightly. “So yes, I’m ready.”

rity protocols?” I asked carefully.

s still awaiting final Council sentencing. Her supporters -what remains of them-are aware that the Trent family build integration models. A pregnant heir represents” He stopped at Grace’s expression. “I’m going to stop out threats and focus on the fact that I’m going to be a great-uncle. That’s better. Less terrifying for everyone.”

Cas, I’m already scared about bringing a baby into a world with extremist ideology,” Grace said quietly. “You don’t need