My Cheating Mate (Emma and Jeremy) novel Chapter 58

Chapter 57

“Yes, Alpha,” Marcus said quietly.

“This council is dismissed.” My father stood. “Jeremy, my office. Now.”

I followed him in silence through the pack house corridors. Pack Ineribers pressed against the walls as we passed, sensing their Alpha’s fury. No one dared speak or make eye contact.

Inside his office, my father closed the door and rounded on me.

“What the hell was that?” he demanded. “Why would you sit there and let Drake tear into you like that? Why would you agree that you deserve to die?”

“Because maybe I do,” I said quietly. “Maybe Drake is right. Maybe my crimes are worse thar Vanessa’s because I started all of this.” 1

My father stared at me for a long moment. Then, unexpectedly, he pulled me into a fierce hug.

“Listen to me,” he said, his voice rough with emotion. “You are my son. You made terrible mistakes. You hurt people I care about. But you don’t deserve to die. And I will not–will not let anyone suggest otherwise. Do you understand?”

“Dad-”

“Do you understand?” He pulled back, gripping my shoulders. “Jeremy, this guilt is eating you alive. I’ve watched you waste away for months, barely eating, barely sleeping. And now you’re agreeing with council members who say you should be executed?”

“I just “My voice broke. “I can’t stop thinking about those seven wolves. About their families. About how they died because I-

11

“Because Vanessa hired rogues,” he interrupted firmly. “Because Vanessa made choices. Bad choices that got people killed. But son, you can’t take responsibility for someone else’s crimes just because you feel guilty.”

“How do I stop?” The question came out desperate. “How do I stop feeling like I deserve to die?”

“You talk to Dr. Chen. You do the work. You let Emma help you instead of drowning alone.” He squeezed my shoulders. “And you remember that you’re more than your worst mistakes. That you’re trying to be better. That you’re worthy of healing even when you don’t feel like you are.”

I nodded, tears streaming down my face. “I’m sorry. For everything. For disappointing you.”

“You did disappoint me,” he said honestly. “The affair, the betrayal–I was ashamed of you. But Jeremy,watching you take

His voice cracked. “I’m responsibility, watching you do the work to heal, watching you nearly die protecting your mate- proud of you now. Proud of who you’re becoming even if you’re not there yet.”

“I don’t deserve your pride.”

“Maybe not. But you have it anyway.” He pulled me into another hug. “That’s what fathers do. We love our children even when they fuck up spectacularly. Even when they don’t deserve it.” 3

We stood there for a long moment, me crying into my father’s shoulder like I was five years old again.

“Monday,” he said finally. “You’ll witness Vanessa’s execution. It’s going to be hard. Emma should be there with you.”

“I can’t ask her to-”

“Ask her anyway. She’s stronger than you think. And she’ll want to see this end. They both need to see this end.”

He was right. Emma deserved to watch the woman who’d tried to kill her face justice.

“kay.” I agreed. “I’ll ask her.”

+20 Bonus

“Good.” He released me, studying my face. Now go hotne. Eat something. Sleep in an actual bed. And Jeremy? If you ever sit in a council meeting and agree that you deserve death again, I will personally kick your ass. Understood?”

Despite everything, I smiled slightly. “Understood.”

“Good. Now get out of my office before I decide to ground you like you’re jxteen.”

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