Page 113 of The Secret Mate Society

I knew this was coming.I'd known from the moment Ethan discovered what I was that there would be consequences.But standing here now, facing the full Council, the reality of it hit me like a physical blow.

"I understand," I said quietly, forcing myself to meet where I imagined their eyes would be beneath those hoods."And I accept whatever punishment you decide.But Ethan is innocent.He didn't ask for any of this.He was a victim, nothing more."

"A victim who now possesses dangerous knowledge," another Council member said.

"He’s not going to turn against us,” I barked back.I paused, taking a deep breath.“He is one of us now.”

“Explain,” another elder demanded.

“Ethan knows everything about our world, that’s true.But he’s also my mate, bonded to me.That makes him part of my pack and under my protection.He is no longer a stranger to our world.”

“But he has not beenapprovedby the Society!”

“Who gives a rat’s ass?”I snapped.“Ethan’s research was the only reason the rogue was caught!He knew far more than any ofyoudid about the situation.Not to mention, when he found out what I was, he never once threatened to expose me or my world.As far as I’m concerned, he’s already proven his worth several times over.”

“You impertinent little pup!”the icy female hissed, her hood falling back to reveal turquoise dragon scales and horns curling at the sides of her head.“How dare you?—”

“Enough,” the ancient elder barked.The dragon sat back, her arms crossed over her chest, glaring daggers at me.“Alpha Thorne has a point.The human has been in our care for the past week and he has been nothing but appreciative and kind.”

The relief that washed over me was so intense I nearly collapsed.Ethan reallywasalive and well.My legs trembled, and I had to lock my knees to keep standing.Ethan was here, somewhere in this place, breathing and healing.My wolf howled with joy inside me, desperate to see him, to touch him, to confirm with my own senses that our mate had survived.

"I need to see him," I said again, more firmly this time."Please."

The Council members exchanged glances, some kind of silent communication passing between them that I couldn't interpret.The tension in the room was suffocating, each second feeling like an eternity as they deliberated.

"There is still the matter of your punishment to discuss," the raspy voice said."You have broken our laws, Alpha Thorne.That cannot go unanswered."

"I know," I said, squaring my shoulders."Whatever you decide, I'll accept it.But let me see Ethan first.Let me know he's really okay."

More silence.More exchanged looks.I could feel Ageratum's presence behind me, solid and unmoved, offering no comfort but no additional threat either.

Finally, the ancient elder spoke again."Very well.We will make an exception."

The words had barely left his mouth when a section of the marble floor behind me began to glow.I spun around to see a doorway materializing, shimmering with the same magic that had brought me here.And through it stepped another hooded figure, this one shorter than the others, guiding someone forward.

My breath caught in my throat.

Ethan.

He was pale and moved with a slight limp, favoring his right leg.His clothes were simple—soft cotton pants and a loose shirt that looked like they belonged to a hospital.But he was standing.He was breathing.He wasalive.

Our eyes met across the chamber, and I saw his face crumble with emotion.Tears streamed down his cheeks as he tried to move faster, nearly stumbling in his haste.

I didn't wait for permission.I crossed the space between us in three long strides, catching him as his legs gave out, pulling him against my chest.He was warm and solid and real, and I buried my face in his hair, breathing in his scent mixed with unfamiliar magic and healing herbs.

"You're alive," I whispered, my own tears falling freely now."Thank the gods, Ethan, you're alive."

"I'm sorry," he sobbed against my chest, his hands fisting my ratty t-shirt."I'm so sorry for what I said.I should have listened, should have trusted you.I was just so scared and confused and?—"

"Shh," I murmured, running my hands through his hair, down his back, needing to touch him everywhere to convince myself this was real."It's okay.None of that matters now."

"But it does."He pulled back just enough to look up at me, his green eyes red-rimmed and desperate."I called you a monster, Calder.I ran from you when you were only trying to protect me.And then Jake—" His voice broke."He told me everything.What he did to my father, how he'd been stalking me for years.And all that time, you were really trying to save me."

I cupped his face in my hands, my thumbs brushing away his tears."I should have told you the truth from the beginning.I was trying to protect you from this world, but I only ended up hurting you worse."

"You saved my life," Ethan whispered."Multiple times.I watched you fight Jake, watched you nearly die trying to get me out of that barn."His fingers traced the healing wounds on my shoulder where Jake's teeth had torn deep."You could have died because of me."

"I would die for you," I said simply, because it was the truth."A thousand times over if it meant keeping you safe."