Page 25 of The Secret Mate Society

I took the photo reluctantly, steeling myself before looking down.The image showed a pale torso, bloodied and mutilated, with crude letters carved into the flesh.My blood ran cold as I read the words: "I SEE YOU."

"Jesus Christ," I muttered, handing the photo back."Do we know who the victim is?"

"A local named Marcus Greer.Farmer.The Council believes the message wasn't meant for him, but rather for someone who might be investigating these attacks."

My heart stuttered.Ethan had interviewed Greer about the cattle mutilations.Did that mean the message was meant for Ethan?Or was it meant for us?It was hard to say, but either way, it put Ethan squarely in danger.

"The Council wants you to increase patrols immediately," Elias continued, oblivious to my inner turmoil."We believe the rogue is escalating, and we can't afford another human death.It draws too much attention.”

I nodded mechanically, my mind racing.Ethan could be in terrible danger.Clearly the rogue wasn’t fucking around.If it was fine with killing Greer, Ethan wouldn’t stand a chance.

"Alpha Thorne?"Elias's voice cut through my thoughts."You seem distracted."

"No, I—" I cleared my throat."Just processing.This is the first human victim in my territory.It changes things."

Elias studied me, those inhuman eyes seeming to peer straight through my defenses."Indeed it does.The Council expects daily reports from now on."He paused."And be careful who you associate with.Humans are curious creatures.They notice things, ask questions."

My wolf growled silently at the thinly veiled warning.Did he know about Ethan?About our...whatever this was?

"I understand," I said, keeping my voice level."I'll gather my pack tonight.We'll start wider patrols immediately."

Elias nodded, satisfied."Good.The Council appreciates your cooperation."He turned to leave, then paused at the door."Oh, and Calder?Remember what happened to the last Alpha who got too close to humans.The Council's memory is long."

With that parting shot, he slipped out the door, leaving me standing in the empty lobby with my heart hammering against my ribs.The threat was clear.Stay away from humans or face the consequences.Obviously the council was watching me… watchingallof us.

I grabbed my phone, my fingers trembling slightly as I pulled up Ethan's messages.Everything in me screamed to cancel our date, to keep him at arm's length for his own safety.But the thought of Greer's body, of that message carved into his flesh, made me pause.

If the rogue was targeting people investigating the attacks, then Ethan was already in danger.Canceling our date wouldn't protect him, it would just leave him vulnerable and alone.

I closed my eyes, trying to think clearly through the panic clouding my judgment.The rogue had escalated from cattle to humans.It had murdered someone Ethan had interviewed.And now it was sending messages.

A cold realization settled over me.I needed to keep Ethan close and not just because my wolf demanded it, but because it might be the only way to keep him alive.

I stared at my phone, debating what to do.The smart move would be to call off everything with Ethan and report to the Council that a human journalist was investigating.They'd handle it their way, which usually meant a forcible relocation.There were a few powerful witches on the council as well so they might go as far as to wipe Ethan’s memory.

But the thought of the Council tampering with Ethan's mind made my wolf snarl in protective fury.No.I wouldn't let that happen.I wouldn’t let them force him to forget me.Not until I figured out what the hell was going on between us.

I'd keep our date, but I'd be vigilant.I'd watch for any signs of the rogue.And I'd find a way to steer Ethan away from the investigation without raising his suspicions.Maybe I could talk him out of journalism altogether.I needed help at the garage, maybe he’d be interested in a new job.

The bell on the front door jingled again, pulling me from my thoughts, and this time it was Trevor and Patrick returning from their tow job.

"Boss?"Trevor called, his head appearing around the doorframe."You okay?You look like you've seen a ghost."

I schooled my features, pushing down the storm of emotions."Pack meeting tonight.Urgent.Call everyone."

Trevor's expression sobered immediately.He knew what that meant."Human?"

I nodded grimly."Greer.The farmer of the cows that got mutilated."

"Shit," Patrick muttered, coming up behind Trevor."That's...that's not random."

"No," I agreed."It's not.Which means we need to be careful.Very careful."

The two exchanged looks, a silent communication born from years of friendship and pack bonds.

"What about the journalist?"Trevor asked, his voice low."The one you were pumping for information.He could be in danger."

My jaw tightened."I'll handle Ethan."