My Cheating Mate (Emma and Jeremy) novel Chapter 85

Chapter 85

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She was going to hate it. Was going to feel abandoned. Was going to think I was choosing duty over her again.

But this wasn’t like the affair. This was actual duty. Real responsibility. The kind that came with being future Alpha.

I heard movement from the bedroom. Emma appeared in the doorway, wrapped in the sheet, her hair messy and her expression soft with contentment.

“Hey,” she said. “Why’d you leave? I woke up and you were gone.”

The happiness on her face the trust, the peace–made what I had to say even harder.

“My father called,” I said quietly. “Emma, we need to talk.”

Her expression shifted immediately. The softness replaced with wariness. “What happened?”

“Black River. They’re not backing down. They’re escalating.” I gestured for her to sit beside me. “They’ve recruited two more mercenary factions. Over a hundred wolves total. And they’re planning a full assault on the pack.”

She paled, pulling the sheet tighter around herself. “When?”

“Unknown. Days or weeks. But Emma- I took her hands. “My father needs me. Needs my tactical skills to help plan the defense. I have to go back.”

The words hung between us. I watched realization dawn on her face, followed quickly by hurt.

“You’re leaving me here.”

“You’re safer here than anywhere else. No one knows this location. You have everything you need. And Emma, Black River isn’t hunting you anymore–they’re focused on the pack assault. This is actually the safest place for you.”

“So I’m supposed to just–what? Sit here alone while you go fight a hundred mercenaries?”

“You’re supposed to survive,” I said firmly. “That‘

“Like you handled it last time?” Her voice

r job. Stay here, stay safe, stay alive. Let me handle the defense.”

here not knowing if you’re alive or dead!” “se. “When you almost died? When three wolves were killed? Jeremy, I can’t just sit

“You’ll have communication equipment. I’ll check in. You’ll know I’m okay.”

“Until you’re not okay!” She pulled her hands from mine, standing. “Until you take a bullet or get torn apart by mercenaries and I’m stuck here useless while you diel

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“I’m not going to die.”

“You don’t know that! You can’t promise that!” She was crying now, angry tears streaming down her face. “Jeremy, we just–we just had something real. Something good. And now you’re leaving?”

“I’m not leaving you. I’m protecting the pack. There’s a difference.”

“Is there?” The question was quiet but devastating. “Because from where I’m standing, it feels like you’re choosing duty over me. Again.”

“That’s not fair. The affair was about selfishness. This is about responsibility.”

“But the result is the same. I’m alone. You’re gone. And I’m supposed to just accept it.”

I stood, closing the distance between us. “Emma, I’m asking you to trust me. To trust that I’m coming back. That I’m doing this because I have to, not because I want to leave you.”

“And if you don’t come back?” Her voice broke. “What am I supposed to do then?”

Chophar

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The question paralyzed me. Because I didn’t have an answer. “Then you survive. You live. You move on

tis

“I don’t want to trove on she was shouting now. “I want you alive! I want us to have a chance! And you’re asking me to sit here while you possibly throw that away fighting a hundred mercenaries!”

“I don’t have a choice!”

“There’s always a choice!” She wrapped the sheer lighter around herself, creating distance. “You could choose to stay here. With me. Let someone else coordinate the defense.”

“There is no one else. Marcus is handling security. My father is managing alliances. I’m the only one with the tactical training to plan a large–scale defense.”

“So the pack needs you more than I do.”

“That’s not–Emma, don’t make me choose. Please.”

“I’m not making you choose. You already chose.” She moved toward the bedroom. “You should probably pack. Get back before dark.”

“Emma- 11

“Just go, Jeremy.” She wouldn’t look at me. “Do what you need to do. Protect the pack. Be the future Alpha. I’ll be fine here. Alone. Like always.”

S

The words cut deep. Because she was right. She was always alone. Even when we were mated, I’d been with Vanessa. Even now, when we were finally rebuilding, I was leaving.

But what choice did I have? Let the pack face a hundred mercenaries without proper defensive planning? Let people die because I chose to stay hidden with Emma?

“I love you,” I said quietly. “And I’m coming back. I promise you/Emma. I’m coming back.”

“Don’t make promises you might not be able to keep.” She disappeared into the bedroom, closing the door behind her.

I stood there for a long moment, torn between duty and love. Between being the Alpha the pack needed and the mate Emma

deserved.

In the end, duty won. Because it had to.

I got dressed, packed a bag, left detailed instructions for using the communication equipment. Emma didn’t come out of the bedroom. Didn’t say goodbye.

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I knocked on the door. “Emma? I’m leaving. Please–please be safe. I’ll call you when I get to pack lands.”

Silence.

“I love you. Remember that. Whatever happens, I love you.”

Still nothing.

I left the safe house as the sun was setting, my heart heavy with the weight of yet another choice that hurt Emma. Yet another time I was leaving her alone.

But this time was different, I told myself. This time, I was doing it to protect her. To protect everyone.

This time, I was being the Alpha I was supposed to be.

Even if it cost me everything I’d just regained.

Even if Emma never forgave me.

The pack came first.

It had to.

Even when it broke my heart.

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