My Cheating Mate (Emma and Jeremy) novel Chapter 40

Chapter 40

My Cheating Mate

Emma pov

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Day two of the trial, and the pack house meeting room was even more crowded than yesterday. Word lied spread about the testimony, about the details of Jeremy’s affair and Vanessa’s crimes. Everyone wanted to witness the future Alpha’s public reckoning.

I sat in the front row next to my father, my hands clenched in my lap. Yesterday had been my testimony-showing the video, recounting what I’d overheard, describing the rogue attack at the motel. Reliving every moment of my humiliation in front of hundreds of pack members.

The looks I’d gotten afterward ranged from pity to respect to judgment. Some thought I was weak for still caring about Jeremy. Others thought I was strong for staying. Most just seemed uncomfortable with the whole situation.

Today was Jeremy’s turn.

He walked to the witness stand slowly, his movements still careful from his injuries. He’d been discharged from the hospital three days ago, against Dr. Reeves’s recommendation, specifically so he could testify. But he looked terrible-pale, drawn, dark circles under his eyes that suggested he wasn’t sleeping.

Or that his wounds were bothering him more than he was letting on.

Alpha Richard, presiding over the trial in his official capacity, nodded for Jeremy to begin. “Please state your relationship with the defendant, Vanessa Quinn.”

Jeremy’s voice was steady but quiet. “We were friends since childhood. When I turned eighteen, we became involved

romantically. That relationship continued until I mated Emma six months later.”

“And after you mated Emma Smith?”

A pause. Jeremy’s jaw clenched. “The relationship with Vanessa continued. We had an affair that lasted the entire six months of my mating.”

Gasps and whispers rippled through the crowd. Even though my testimony yesterday had covered this, hearing it from Jeremy’s own mouth made it real in a different way.

“Did your mate know about this affair?”

“No. Not until she walked in on us.” Jeremy’s voice cracked slightly. “She came to bring me lunch at my office. Found Vanessa

and me

“He stopped, unable or unwilling to continue that sentence. “She witnessed the affair firsthand.”

Vanessa sat in the defendant’s box, shackled and under guard, but her expression was anything but repentant. She looked almost gleeful, watching Jeremy destroy himself with the truth.

“After Emma discovered the affair, what happened?” Alpha Richard continued.

“She left pack lands. I didn’t know where she’d gone. I hired a private investigator to find her.” Jeremy swayed slightly on the stand. Was he okay? “When I located her, rogues attacked. Four of them, organized and well-trained. They were trying to kill Emma.”

“And what evidence did you have that Ms. Quinn was responsible for hiring these rogues?”

Jeremy paused, his face going a shade paler. “She was angry that I’d gone after Emma. During the phone call, she made references to the rogues, to the attack. Said things that made it clear she knew about it

“She called me after the attack. She was

before I mentioned it.”

“Can you be more specific?”

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Jeremy recited the conversation, Vanessa’s words damning her with each sentence. The pack listened in horrified silence as he described how she’d tried to have Emma killed.

Then came the harder questions. The council members took turns interrogating him about the affair-how long, how many times, whether he’d planned to reject Emma, what he’d promised Vanessa.

Each answer was like watching Jeremy flay himself alive. He held nothing back, admitted everything, took full responsibility for his choices.

And he was getting progressively paler.

“Are you feeling alright, son?” Alpha Richard asked, concern bleeding through his official demeanor.

“I’m fine,” Jeremy said, but his hand gripped the edge of the witness stand like it was the only thing keeping him upright.

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