My Cheating Mate (Emma and Jeremy) novel Chapter 81

Chapter 81

“Don’t.” She set down her book. “Don’t talk about ‘in case.‘ We’re safe here. We’re alive. That’s enough for now.”

“You’re right.”

“I usually am.” A slight smile. “Jeremy, come here.”

I moved to the couch, sitting beside her but leaving space. She sighed and closed the distance, leaning against my side.

“This okay?” she asked.

“More than okay.” I carefully put my arm around her shoulders. “This is–yeah. This is perfect.”

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We sat like that for a long time. Her reading, me just existing in the moment. The simple intimacy of it was almost overwhelming. After months of careful distance, of therapy–mediated conversations, of barely touching–this felt like coming

home.

“Jeremy?” Her voice was quiet.

“Hmm?”

“Last night, when that leader was charging toward me- -you didn’t hesitate. Didn’t even think. You just moved.”

“Of course I did. I’d die before I let him hurt you.”

“That’s what scares me.” She shifted to look at me. “You keep saying you’d die for me. But Jeremy, I don’t want you to die for me. I want you to live for me. To heal for me. To be healthy and whole and present.”

“I’m trying.”

“I know. And I see it. See you actually eating, sleeping, engaging with therapy.” She paused. “That’s why I kissed you. Because you’re finally showing me through actions, not just words, that you’re committed to healing.”

“I am committed. To healing. To you. To us, whatever that looks like.”

“Good.” She settled back against me. “Because I’m going to hold you to that. Every day. For however long we’re stuck here.”

“I’m counting on it.”

She returned to her book, and I just sat there, my arm around her, feeling her warmth against my side. Outside, the forest was quiet except for bird calls and wind through trees. Inside, for the first time in months, I felt something like peace.

Not happiness exactly. We weren’t there yet. Too much still unresolved, too much healing left to do.

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But peace. The quiet certainty that we were moving in the right direction. That maybe, possibly, we could rebuild what I’d destroyed.

One kiss at a time. One honest conversation at a time. One moment of simple intimacy at a time.

“Emma?” I said after a while.

“Mm?”

“Thank you. For kissing me. For giving me another chance.”

“You haven’t blown it yet,” she said, but I could hear the smile in her voice. “Don’t get cocky.”

“Wouldn’t dream of it.”

But inside, I felt something I hadn’t felt in months. Hope. Real, fragile hope that maybe we could make this work.

Falt

That maybe love really was enough, when combined with honesty and work and time.

That maybe the Moon Goddess hadn’t made a mistake after all.

I just had to not screw it up this time.

No pressure.

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Emma’s phone buzzed. She checked it, her expression turning serious, “My dad. They’ve secured the pack house. Started rotating all security protocols. Drake’s execution is scheduled for tomorrow morning.”

“How do you feel about that?”

“Relieved? He got three wolves killed. He deserves whatever he gets.” She paused. “Is that wrong? To feel nothing but relief that a traitor is being executed?”

“No. That’s justice. He made his choice. Now he faces the consequences.”

She nodded, setting her phone aside. “Your dad says Black River has gone to ground. No sightings in forty–eight hours. They’re either regrouping or they’ve given up.”

“They haven’t given up. Not with that much money on the line.” I pulled her closer unconsciously. “But they’ve lost their intelligence source. That’ll make them more cautious.”

“Good. Let them be cautious. Let them wonder. Let them make mistakes.” Her voice had an edge to it. “I’m tired of being prey. Ready to be the hunter.”

“When this is over, when it’s safe–we’ll hunt them. All of them. Every single wolf Vanessa paid.”

“Promise?”

“Promise.”

We sat in silence for a while longer. Then Emma yawned, her body relaxing against mine.

“Tired?” I asked.

“Exhausted. We’ve been running on adrenaline since three AM.” She looked up at me. “Will you–would you mind if we both rested? On the couch? Like this?”

My heart stuttered. “You want to sleep here? Together?”

“Just sleeping. Nothing more.” She paused. “But yes. I want–I need contact. Need to feel safe. And Jeremy, right now, you make me feel safe.”

“Always,” I whispered. “I’ll always keep you safe.”

She shifted, lying down with her head on my lap. I carefully covered her with the blanket from the back of the couch, my hand moving to her hair.

“Is this okay?” I asked.

“Perfect.” Her eyes were already closing. “Wake me if anything happens.”

“I will.”

Within minutes, she was asleep. Her breathing deep and even, her face peaceful in a way I rarely saw anymore.

I sat there, my hand gently stroking her hair, watching her sleep like I used to when we were first mated. Before I ruined everything.

This was trust. Real, vulnerable trust. She was asleep in my lap, completely defenseless, trusting me to keep watch. To keep her

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safe. To not take advantage of her vulnerability.

I wouldn’t let her down. Not again. Not ever

Whatever it took–however long it took–I would prove I was worthy of this trust.

Of her.

of us.

Outside, the sun was setting. Inside, Emma slept and I kept watch and for the first time in months, the future felt possible.

Fragile. Uncertain. But possible.

And right now, possible was enough.