My Cheating Mate (Emma and Jeremy) novel Chapter 90

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The room erupted in debate wolves arguing for and against, weighing risks, calculating odds. But I could see my father considering it. See the tactical wheels turning.

“If we do this,” he said finally, his Alpha voice cutting through the chaos. “If we commit to atroffensive strike – we need total coordination. Perfect execution, No room for error.”

“Agreed.”

“And Jeremy?” He met my eyes. “You’d be leading this. Your plan, your operation, your responsibility.”

The weight of it settled on my shoulders. One hundred and ten wolves, going into battle based on my strategy. If I failed, if my planning was flawed, people would die.

But if we waited, if we let Black River attack on their terms, more people would die.

“I can do it,” I said. “I can lead this.”

“Then you have twenty–four hours.” My father’s expression was grave. “Plan the operation. Coordinate with allied packs. Brief the warriors. And Jeremy-” A pause. “Make it count.”

The hext twenty hours were a blur. Planning strike teams, coordinating logistics, identifying the mercenary consolidation point through scout reports. Silverbrook and Moonshadow pledged full support–they understood that if Black River succeeded here, other packs would become targets too.

I barely slept. Barely ate. Just worked, planned, calculated. Trying to find the strategy that would give us the best chance of

surviving.

Around midnight, my phone buzzed. Emma.

“Hey,” I answered, stepping away from the maps. “You okay?”

“I should be asking you that. Dad told me about the phone call About the numbers.” Her voice was strained. “Jeremy, one hundred and fifty wolves-”

“I know. But Emma, we have a plan. We’re not waiting for them to attack. We’re striking first.”

“That’s–that sounds dangerous.”

“It is. But it’s our best option.” I paused. “Emma, he offered a trade. You for the pack’s safety.”

Silence. Then, quietly: “Are you considering it?”

“What? No! Emma, of course not. I’d die before I let them touch you.”

“Even if it means the pack-”

“Even then. Emma, we don’t negotiate with terrorists. Don’t hand over pack members. Don’t trade lives like that.” I softened my voice. “And even if all that wasn’t true–even if it was tactically smart to consider—I couldn’t do it. I love you. I’m not losing you. Not to mercenaries, not to anyone.”

“Jeremy-” Her voice broke. “Please be safe. Please come back to me.”

“I will. I promise.” I checked the time. “We strike tomorrow at midnight. Forty–eight hours before they expect engagement. If everything goes according to plan, this will be over in a day.”

“And if it doesn’t go according to plan?”

“Then we adapt. But Emma, I need you to know–if something happens to me

“Don’t. Don’t say it.”

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“I tied to I took a breath. “If something happens, your father will come get you. He’ll make sure you’re safe. And Emma, don’t blame yourself. None of this is your fault.”

“It feels like my fault.”

“It’s not. It’s Vanessa’s fault. Black River’s fault. My fault for creating the situation that led to this.” I paused. “But Emma, even knowing how it turned out – I don’t regret us. Don’t regret mating you. Don’t regret falling in love with you, even though I was too stupid to realize it until almost too late.”

“I love you too,” she whispered. “So much. Please, please come back.”

“I will. I promise.”

After we hung up, I returned to the war room. Twelve hours until we struck Twelve hours to finalize every detail, brief every warrior, prepare for a battle that would determine everything.

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