My Cheating Mate (Emma and Jeremy) novel Chapter 56

Chapter 56

My father’s hand slammed onthe table. “Jeremy Alexander Trent, that is enough!”

I’d never heard him use that tone with me in public. Never heard his Alpha voice directed at me with such fury.

“You are not on trial here,” he continued, his voice shaking with barely controlled anger. “You are guilty of adultery, Of betraying your mate. Of dishonoring your position: Those are facts. But you did not hire rogues. Did not lead an assault. Did not kill seven wolves. Vanessa did those things of her own free will!”

“Only because I drove her to it,” I said quietly.

“No.” Beta Marcus’s voice cut through the tension. I’d been so focused on my father and Drake that I hadn’t noticed Emma’s father standing at the back of the chamber. “Vanessa made her own choices. Bad relationships don’t turn normal people into mass murderers.”

“But-” Drake started.

“I have firsthand experience with this,” Marcus continued, moving to stand beside my father. “Jeremy destroyed my daughter. Broke her heart, betrayed her trust, made her feel worthless. Do you see Emma hiring assassins? Leading rogue attacks? No.

-don’t respond to betrayal with murder.” Because normal people–even deeply hurt ones-

“Beta Marcus is correct,” Elder Yasmin said. “Jeremy’s actions were deplorable, but they don’t transfer legal guilt for Vanessa’s crimes.”

“Some would say they transfer moral guilt,” Drake persisted.

“Then some would be wrong,” my father said coldly. “And I’m growing tired of this line of questioning. We are here to vote on Vanessa Quinn’s sentence, not to retry my son’s already–acknowledged crimes.”

“I’m simply saying,” Drake pushed harder, “that if we’re executing Vanessa for murders that Jeremy’s actions precipitated, perhaps Jeremy should face consequences beyond-

“Are you suggesting execution for my son?” My father’s voice was deadly quiet now, his wolf in his eyes. “Choose your next words very carefully, Councilman Drake.”

The room went silent. Everyone knew what that tone meant. My father was on the edge of losing control, of letting his Alpha rage loose on anyone who threatened his heir.

“I’m suggesting,” Drake said, clearly aware he was on dangerous ground, that Jeremy Trent should face formal censure for his role in creating the situation that led to pack deaths. Perhaps suspension from his duties as future Alpha. Perhaps—”

“Perhaps you should remember that my son nearly died protecting this pack!” My father roared, slamming his hand on the table again. “That he took three bullets and multiple wounds fighting the rogues Vanessa brought to our borders! That he testified at trial even when it meant literally bleeding out in front of the entire pack!”

“Gestures of atonement don’t erase guilt,” Drake said stubbornly.

My father’s eyes were fully wolf now. “Get out.”

“Alpha-”

“I said GET OUT!” The Alpha command rolled through the room with physical force. “You are removed from this council vote. And when this meeting is over, you and I will have a private conversation about the wisdom of suggesting my son deserves death.”

Drake went pale but stood his ground. “I’m a council member. You can’t-”

“I’m the Alpha. I can do whatever I damn well please when someone threatens my heir.” My father’s voice dropped to a growl. Now leave before I forget you’re pack and treat you like the rogue you’re acting like.”

+20 Bonus

Two guards appeared at Drake’s sides. He glared at my father but allowed himself to be escorted out.

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