My Cheating Mate (Emma and Jeremy) novel Chapter 8

“That you were going to use her as a broodmare and then reject her,” Vanessa finished, her voice hard. “Yes, I remember. We talked about it extensively. While we were fucking in this very office.”

The bluntness of it made me flinch. Hearing our plan stated so baldly, without any of the justifications I’d wrapped it in, made it sound exactly as disgusting as it was.

“That was before she left,” I said. “Everything’s changed now.”

“Nothing’s changed except that she made it easier for you!” Vanessa’s composure was cracking, anger bleeding through. “She left, Jeremy. She gave you the perfect out. Take it!”

“And what about the proof she mentioned to her father?” I stood, needing space from her, from this conversation. “What if she has evidence of our affair? What if she goes public with it?”

Vanessa waved a dismissive hand. “So what if she does? You’re the Alpha’s son. She’s nobody. Who are they going to believe?”

“Her father is the Beta,” I repeated, frustration mounting. “And Emma’s never given anyone reason to doubt her word. If she says we were having an affair, people will believe her.”

Us

“Then we discredit her first.” Vanessa’s smile turned calculating. “We say she was unstable, jealous, paranoid. That she accused of having an affair because she couldn’t handle the fact that you and I are close friends. That her wild accusations drove her to abandon the pack.” 1

It was a good plan. A solid strategy. Exactly the kind of political maneuvering that would work in pack dynamics.

So why did it make me feel like I wanted to vomit?

“I need to think,” I said, moving toward the window to avoid looking at her.

“Think about what? Jeremy, this is everything we’ve wanted! We can finally be together, properly, without sneaking around. I can be your Luna, like I was always meant to be.” z

“Were you meant to be?” The question came out before I could stop it. “Because the Moon Goddess chose Emma, not you.”

Silence. Heavy and dangerous.

When Vanessa spoke again, her voice was ice. “The Moon Goddess made a mistake.”

“Maybe.” I turned to face her. “Or maybe we did.” 1

Her eyes flashed with hurt and rage. “Are you seriously choosing her? After everything? She left you, Jei my! She abandoned you!”

“Because she probably found out I was cheating on her!” The words exploded out of me. “Because I betrayed my mate, Vanessa. I violated one of the most sacred bonds in our culture, and now I’m dealing with the consequences.”

“You don’t love her,” Vanessa said, her voice shaking. “You love me. You’ve always loved me.”

Had I? I’d wanted her, desired her, planned my life around eventually being with her. But love?

I thought about Emma. Sweet, gentle Emma who’d tried so hard to make me happy. Who’d baked cookies and asked about my day and never pushed when I was distant. Who’d swallowed her instincts about Vanessa because I’d told her to.

I’d never loved her. But I’d never given her a chance to be someone I could love, either.

“Vanessa, I need you to leave.”

“Jeremy-

“Now. Please. ”

+25 BONUS

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify