My Cheating Mate (Emma and Jeremy) novel Chapter 274

Chapter 274

The tears were back. Fresh ongs. Because tris apology hur! almost as much as the rejection.

“Why?” I asked. “Why avoid me?Why treat the mate bond like it’s a burden instead of a gift? Nate, I know you didn’t ask for this. I didn’t ask for it either. But we’re mates. The Moon Goddess chose us. Why is that so terrible?”

“It’s not terrible. You’re not terrible.” He paused. I was scared. Am scared. Of failing. Of not being what you need. Of everyone watching to see if I can make a vampire-wolf mate bond work when I barely understand how to navigate normal relationships. Of of feeling something I can’t control.”

“So you controlled the situation by rejecting me first.”

“Yes.” The admission was quiet. “Rose, I know that’s cowardly. I know I should have talked to you instead of avoiding you. Should have given the bond a chance instead of fighting it. I just-I panicked.”

“For two weeks? You panicked for two entire weeks?”

“I’m really good at sustained panic?” He tried for humor. Failed. “Rose, I know I hurt you. I know sorry isn’t enough. But I want to try. Actually try. To give us a chance. To stop being scared and start being-your mate.”

I wanted to believe him. Wanted so desperately to unlock the door and fall into his arms and accept his apology.

But I’d spent two weeks watching him flirt with other she-wolves. Two weeks feeling the mate bond pull while he ignored it. Two weeks crying in bathrooms because my fated mate didn’t want me.

That didn’t disappear because he’d had one conversation with his father.

“I need time,” I said. “Nate, you took two weeks to figure out if you wanted me. I need time to figure out if I can trust that you actually do. That this isn’t just guilt or obligation or performance because your family expects it.”

“That’s fair.” He sounded–sad. Resigned. “Rose, take all the time you need. But please know-I’m not avoiding you anymore. I’m not pretending the bond doesn’t exist. I’m going to try. Actually try. To be worthy of you.”

“I don’t need worthy. I need honest.” I looked at my destroyed reflection in the mirror. “Nate, if you genuinely want to try- prove it. Not with words. With actions. Show me the mate bond matters to you instead of just telling me it does.”

“I will. I promise.” A pause. “Rose, can I–can I at least see you? Make sure you’re actually okay before I leave?”

Part of me wanted to stay locked in this bathroom forever. To hide from my mate and the bond and the hurt.

But I was Rose Castellan. Great-niece to the most powerful vampire lord in North America. Raised to be strong and diplomatic and never let them see you break.

I could face my mate. Could let him see I’d been crying and still maintain my dignity.

I unlocked the door. Opened it slowly.

Nate was sitting on the floor exactly as I’d imagined. Dark hair disheveled. Eyes full of guilt and regret and something that might have been longing.

He looked up at me. Saw my red eyes and blotchy face. And his expression crumpled into genuine devastation.

“I did that,” he said quietly. “I made you cry. Rose, I’m so sorry. I’m so-“He stopped. “I’m going to fix this. However long it takes. Whatever you need. I’m going to prove I want this. Want you.”

“Okay,” I said. Because what else was there to say?

We sat in awkward silence. The mate bond pulling between us. Two people who were supposed to be perfect for each other, separated by two weeks of rejection and an ocean of hurt.

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“Can I cati I walk you back to your room?” Nate asked. “Make sure you get there safely?”

“I’m a vampire. I don’t need protection walking through a pack house.”

“I know. But I want to. Please?”

I looked at him. At my mate who’d spent two weeks breaking my heart and was now sitting on a library bathroom floor begging for a chance to make it right.

“Okay,” I said again. “You can walk me back.”

It was a start. Barely a start. But maybe-maybe it was enough.

For now.

**TO BE CONTINUED…**

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