My Cheating Mate (Emma and Jeremy) novel Chapter 271

Chapter 271

“You don’t know that

“I know you’re making her miserable.” I gestured toward the library. “I know she watches you flirt with other she wolves and it hurts her. I know she’s trying to respect your obvious desire for distance white also dealing with a mate bond that’s pulling her toward you constantly. I know she’s alone in a new place with a fated mate who treats her like she’s invisible.”

“I don’t treat her like she’s invisible-

“You walked past her three times yesterday without saying hello. You moved seats at dinner to avoid sitting near her. You’re flirting with Jessica Matthews right now specifically because you knew Rose would walk past and see it.” I met his eyes. “Nate. that’s not ignoring her. That’s actively avoiding her. There’s a difference.”

He looked away. Guilt written across his face.

“I don’t know how to do this,” he admitted quietly. “Dad, everyone expects me to just-accept the boird. Be grateful Start building a relationship with Rose like it’s simple. But it’s not simple. She’s a vampire. I’m a wolf. We barely know each other. And everyone’s watching, waiting to see if the future Beta can make an integrated mate bond work-”

“So the pressure is getting to you.”

“The pressure is crushing me.” His voice cracked slightly. “Dad, what if I can’t be what she needs? What if I try and fail? What if the mate bond isn’t enough to bridge the differences between us?”

I understood then. Not fear of Rose specifically. Fear of failure. Fear of disappointing everyone-his family, the pack, Lord Castellan, Rose herself.

“Nate.” I put my hand on his shoulder. “You’re not required to be perfect. You’re required to try. To give Rose a chance. To stop running from the bond and actually see what it could be.”

“And if it doesn’t work?”

“Then you’ll have tried. You’ll know you gave it honest effort instead of sabotaging it from the start by flirting with other she- wolves and avoiding your mate.” I paused. “But son, I don’t think it will fail. I think you’re terrified it will succeed. That you’ll fall for Rose completely and have to admit the Moon Goddess knew what she was doing.”

He was quiet. Processing.

“Your mother and I had complications,” I said. “We started rocky. I made terrible choices. We nearly didn’t make it. But we fought for the bond. For each other. And Nate-it was worth every difficult moment. Every fight. Every time we had to choose each other over easier options.”

“Rose is a vampire-”

“And you’re a wolf who’s spent his entire life proving integration works. Who has a vampire great-uncle he adores. Who knows better than most wolves that species differences don’t actually matter when it comes to love.” I looked at him seriously. “Nate, stop using Rose being a vampire as an excuse. The real issue is you’re scared. And that’s okay. But don’t let fear destroy something precious before you’ve given it a real chance.”

He nodded slowly. “I should-I should talk to her. Actually talk to her instead of avoiding her.”

“Yes. You should.” I squeezed his shoulder. “Son, Rose is your mate. The Moon Goddess gave her to you specifically. Honor that. Give her the respect and attention she deserves. And stop flirting with Jessica Matthews to avoid dealing with your actual feelings.”

“Was I that obvious?”

“Completely obvious. Everyone knows you’re performing.” I smiled slightly. “Nate, go find Rose. Apologize for the past two weeks. Ask if you can start over. See what happens when you actually give the bond a chance instead of fighting it,

Chopater

+15 Bonus

“Okay.” He took a deep breath. “Okay, I’ll-I’ll go talk to her. Try to explain. See if she’s willing to

“She’ll be willing. Rose has been waiting two weeks for you to acknowledge her existence. Trust me, she wants to talk.

After Nate left-heading toward the library with visible determination- stood alone to the common room.

My son. Twenty-one years old. Making the same mistakes I’d made at his age. Running from his mate instead of toward her. Using fear as justification for avoiding something precious.

But he was also willing to try. Willing to face his fear and give Rose a chatice.

That was growth. That was courage.

I just hoped it was enough. Hoped two weeks of avoidance hadn’t damaged the bond beyond repair. Hoped Rose was patient enough to forgive Nate’s initial rejection.

Hoped the next generation could build their mate bond without the dramatic complications their parents had faced.

Though knowing the Trent-Reed family history-that might be too much to hope for.

**TO BE CONTINUED…**

BIG SALE: 3500 bonus free fou you

P

Comments

G

Support

Share

get it

Chopter

+15 Bonu