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Chapter 6 – Serious Offense

Emily and Alpha Jason pulled up in front of her house, the tension building as they parked their cars. Emily glanced at him, her face carefully composed to look worried and anxious.

"Alpha Jason, are you really sure you want to talk to them now?" she asked, her voice trembling with just the right hint of sadness. "My parents are still upset with Jerome after... everything he did."

Alpha Jason nodded, his jaw set in determination. "I don’t want any tension between our families, Emily," he said firmly. "I need to show Delta Patrick that I’m not biased towards my son Jerome. I understand what he did was wrong, and I won’t defend his actions. But this needs to be addressed now."

Emily nodded back, pretending to still feel conflicted, but inwardly she was pleased. Her plan was progressing perfectly. As they got out of the car, the front door of the house swung open, revealing Delta Patrick standing in the doorway, his arms crossed, and his expression serious. He nodded respectfully to Alpha Jason, but the tension in the air was undeniable.

"Alpha Jason," Delta Patrick greeted, his voice stern. "What brings you here?"

Alpha Jason took a deep breath as he and Emily walked up the steps toward him. "I’m here to talk to you and Gloria... about Jerome," he began, his voice low but steady.

Patrick’s frown deepened as he glanced at his daughter, then back at Alpha Jason. "Well, you better come inside," he said, stepping aside.

Gloria appeared in the hallway, her face a mixture of curiosity and concern. "Let’s sit in the living room," she suggested. The four of them made their way inside, the atmosphere thick with unspoken words.

Once they were seated, Alpha Jason wasted no time. "I came to apologize for what my son has done to Emily," he began, his voice filled with regret. "I know that cheating is a serious offense in our pack. Jerome has broken the sacred bond of trust, and I understand how much pain he’s caused."

Delta Patrick leaned forward, his expression unyielding. "I can’t forgive Jerome right now," he said seriously. "He betrayed my daughter, and he betrayed this pack’s values."

Gloria nodded in agreement, her face hardening. "What Jerome did was unacceptable. You know how important it is for mates to honor each other."

Alpha Jason lowered his head slightly in acknowledgment. "I understand, and I don’t expect forgiveness for Jerome just yet. He needs to face the consequences of his actions. But... there’s something else I need to tell you, something that concerns Emily and me."

Patrick raised an eyebrow, suspicion flickering in his eyes. "What is it?"

Emily, playing her part perfectly, hesitated for a moment before reaching out and gently taking Alpha Jason’s hand. She looked up at her parents, her eyes soft and pleading. "We’ve come to an agreement," she said quietly, her voice shaky with false vulnerability.

Delta Patrick frowned, glancing between them. "What’s the meaning of this? Emily, why you holding his hand? What kind of agreement?" he asked, his tone sharp.

Emily swallowed, then continued. "Alpha Jason and I... we’re going to tell the pack that we are fated mates."

There was a brief moment of silence before Gloria and Patrick both spoke at once.

"Fated mates?" Gloria echoed, her face a mask of disbelief.

"Is this some kind of joke?" Patrick demanded, his voice rising in anger.

Alpha Jason sighed heavily, meeting their incredulous gazes. "I know it’s shocking. I know how this must look. But it’s true. Emily feels a connection to me, and... I’ve agreed to honor that bond."

Patrick shook his head, his eyes narrowing. "You’re telling me you’re going to announce to the entire pack that you’re mates? After everything that’s happened with Jerome?"

Alpha Jason nodded solemnly. "Yes. I’ve thought long and hard about this. And with the Moon Festival coming up in just three days, I intend to seek the guidance of the Moon Goddess. I’ll ask her for a sign, for her blessing. But I do agree to be with Emily."

Gloria’s mouth fell open, shock and confusion battling across her face. "But Emily, this is... this is madness," she whispered, her voice trembling. "You just broke up with Jerome, and now you want to be with his father? How can you not see how complicated this will be? What will the pack say to you and to our family? They could thought you are the one who cheated, instead of Jerome."

Emily blinked back fake tears, playing the role of the heartbroken girl who had found solace in the Alpha’s arms. "I know it sounds strange," she admitted, "but I feel something real with Alpha Jason. It’s not just about what Jerome did. It’s about moving forward. I’ve always respected Alpha Jason, and... Maybe this is what fate had planned all along."

Patrick leaned back in his chair, shaking his head in disbelief. "Emily, have you really thought this through? This isn’t just about you and Alpha Jason. This affects the whole pack. People are going to talk. They’ll question both of you."

Emily bit her lip, pretending to be conflicted. "I’ve thought about it, Dad. And I’m willing to forgive Jerome because I believe that my bond with Alpha Jason is something real. I don’t want to hold onto the pain anymore. I just want to be with someone who values me."

Gloria looked at Alpha Jason, her eyes narrowing slightly. "Alpha, do you really believe this is the right thing to do?" she asked, her voice softer but still filled with doubt. "You’re Jerome’s father. How can this not create tension?"

Alpha Jason sighed deeply. "I won’t lie to you, Gloria. It will be difficult. I don’t expect the pack to accept this easily. But if the Moon Goddess gives her blessing, I’ll know it’s the right path. I won’t turn my back on what might be fate."

Delta Patrick leaned forward, his voice low and serious. "If you go through with this, Alpha, it’s going to change everything. You know that, right?"

Alpha Jason met his gaze head-on, nodding. "I do. But I’m prepared to face the consequences."

Emily’s voice trembled as she added, "Please, Mom, Dad... just let me be happy. Let me move on with my life."

There was a long pause as Patrick and Gloria exchanged a look. The tension hung in the air, thick and suffocating.

Finally, Patrick turned to Alpha Jason. "You say you’ll ask the Moon Goddess for guidance. What if she doesn’t bless this union?"

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