Page 26 of The Secret Mate Society

Something in my tone must have given me away because Patrick's eyebrows shot up, a mischievous grin curling over his lips."Handle him how, exactly?"

"That's not what I meant," I growled, though the flush creeping up my neck betrayed me.

Trevor's lips quirked into a knowing smile."Sure, boss.Whatever you say."

I glared at them both."Just call the pack.Eight o'clock at my place.This isn’t a joke.”

“Alright boss,” Trevor said, still grinning.“We’re just messing with you.”

“We’ll call the pack,” Patrick added.

They nodded, though the amusement hadn't left their eyes.As they headed back to the garage, I returned to my office, my mind still spinning with possibilities and dangers.

The photo Elias had shown me was burned into my memory—Greer's mutilated body, the message carved into his flesh."I SEE YOU."A warning?A taunt?Either way, it made one thing clear.The rogue wolf wasn't just killing for food or territory.This was personal.

I slumped into my chair, the weight of responsibility pressing down on me.As Alpha, it was my duty to protect not just my pack, but all the supernatural creatures in my territory.And now, inexplicably, it felt like my duty to protect Ethan too.

My phone buzzed again.Another text from Ethan.

Ethan: Can't wait to see you tomorrow.Should I be nervous?You're not taking me to one of those places where they make you catch your own dinner, are you?

Despite everything, I found myself smiling.Even through text, his personality shone through.He was witty, a little sarcastic, and endearingly human.I typed back quickly.

Me: No fishing required.Just good food and better company.

The response was immediate, a simple heart emoji that made my chest tighten with an emotion I wasn't ready to name.Every time the feeling rose up, it surprised me.It filled me with warmth and terror all at the same time.Elias and the council suspected me, that much was clear.And now Patrick and Trevor were making jokes too.Was I really so transparent?Then again, being thirty without a Luna of my own to help me run the pack was unusual.Most Alpha’s had a mate before they even took over.But mine had never shown.

Until now?

No.That couldn’t be it.Same sex mates were rare and Alpha’s finding male mates was almost unheard of.It had to be something else.And until I knew what it was, I would keep it quiet.Nobody needed to know how my heart raced every time I thought about Ethan Murphy.

I just hoped I figured it out soon.

Chapter12

Calder

Istood before my pack, their faces grim in the dim light of my living room.Twenty pairs of eyes fixed on me, waiting for guidance, for reassurance I wasn't sure I could give.The murder of Marcus Greer had shaken them all.A human death in our territory wasn't just a tragedy.It was a threat to everything we'd built."We know what we're dealing with now," I said, my voice steady despite the turmoil inside me."This isn't just some rogue passing through.He's hunting deliberately, sending messages."

Patrick leaned against the wall, arms crossed over his chest."You think it's the same wolf the Elder Council's been tracking?The one with the...signature?"

I nodded, swallowing hard."The pattern matches.Heart and liver missing, precision cuts.But this is the first time there's been a message."

"I see you," Trevor quoted, his usually jovial face solemn."What the hell does that mean?"

The words sent a chill down my spine as I remembered the photo Elias had shown me.The carved flesh, the blood.And all I could think about was Ethan's face, his excited text when I agreed to our date tomorrow night."It could be meant for anyone investigating the attacks," I said carefully."The farmer was talking to local law enforcement, reporters..."

Trevor's eyes narrowed slightly."Like that journalist you've been hanging around with?"

A low murmur rippled through the pack.I felt their eyes on me, curious, concerned.My wolf bristled at the scrutiny, but I kept my expression neutral."Ethan Murphy is new to town," I said, choosing my words with precision."He's covering the cattle mutilations for the Portland Gazette.Yes, he interviewed Greer, but so did others."

"Did he have any new information?”Patrick asked.“Anything more than he put in the paper?”

“Not that I know of,” I sighed.“Or at least not that he was willing to share.He seemed like he was holding something back… that’s why I’m going to keep pushing.”

“Are you sure that’s a good idea, boss?”Trevor added.“I mean… won’t the Elder Council be upset about you spending time with a human?And a journalist at that?”

“The Council wants answers just as badly as the rest of us do,” I replied, trying to make it look like there was no personal connection between me and Ethan.“They want these attacks to stop.The more information we have, the faster we can bring this rogue down and get back to our normal lives.”