Page 44 of The Secret Mate Society

"I'm suggesting that Mr.Murphy's usefulness as an information source may be coming to an end.And when that happens..."He let the sentence hang in the air between us.

My hands clenched into fists."You're talking about eliminating an innocent man."

"I'm talking about protecting our entire world from exposure."His voice dropped to a dangerous whisper."Something you seem to have forgotten in your...enthusiasm for this investigation."

“Then let me keep an eye on him,” I said before I could stop myself.Ageratum just stared at me, one eyebrow raised.“He knows me already and trusts me,” I added quickly.“And if this rogue is tracking him, wouldn’t it be better to catch him than kill his prey?”

“You’re suggesting we use Mr.Murphy as live bait?”Ageratum asked in a surprised tone.“Are you so unattached to him?”

“He’s a human,” I scoffed, doing my best to convince him.“There is no attachment.”

He gave me a good long look, trying to pick apart the lie in my words I’m sure he heard.But I wouldn’t give in.I clenched my teeth and forced my face into a neutral expression.I had to convince him that this was just business and for the good of us all, that my personal feelings didn’t matter.

“You have mytemporaryapproval to watch him,” the demon replied slowly.“But I’ll need official approval from the Elder Council to make you his guardian for the remainder of this investigation.They won’t want a human involved.”

“He doesn’t need to know anything,” I nodded.“But if I can tell him I believe him and win his trust, he might have clues that could help us.And if that rogue comes back, then I’ll be here to stop him.”

“Confident,” Ageratum nodded.“Just like all the other Alphas before you that died taking on more than they could handle.That’s the problem with your species, you know.Your fatal flaw.”

Anger flared under my skin and I felt my hackles rise.Swallowing hard, I tried to force it back.“I’m confident I can handle one rogue werewolf who’s too much of a coward to come out in the open.”

“Be that as it may,” he replied with a dismissing wave.“Get Mr.Murphy out of here for the night.Everything will be cleaned up by dawn and he can return.I’ll keep you up to date on the approval from the Council.”

I glanced back up at the window where I could see Ethan's silhouette still watching."And if they don't approve?"

"Then you'll need to step aside when the time comes."Ageratum's voice held no emotion, just cold practicality."The Council doesn't make exceptions, Alpha Thorne.Not even for you."

The threat was clear.If I didn't get approval, the Council would send someone else to deal with Ethan.Permanently.My wolf snarled at the thought, but I kept my expression neutral.

"Understood," I said through gritted teeth."I'll get him out of here now."

Ageratum nodded, his attention already returning to the heart on the pavement."I'll be in touch."

I turned and strode back toward the apartment building, my mind racing.I needed to get Ethan somewhere safe, somewhere I could protect him until I figured out what the hell was going on.The rogue wolf leaving a heart on his doorstep wasn't random, it was a message.But for whom?For Ethan?For me?For the Council?All three?

By the time I reached Ethan's door, I'd decided on a plan.It wasn't perfect, but it would have to do.I knocked firmly, hearing his rapid footsteps approach."Calder?"His voice was muffled through the door, still tight with fear.

"It's me," I confirmed."Open up."

The locks clicked rapidly, and then he was there, green eyes wide with panic, his scent spiked with fear and adrenaline.The urge to pull him close, to bury my face in his neck and breathe in his scent until that fear was replaced with something else, was almost overwhelming."What was it?"he asked immediately."What did you find?"

I stepped inside, closing the door behind me."Nothing good.Look, I don't think you should stay here tonight."

"What?"His voice rose slightly."Why?What was down there?"

I hesitated, trying to decide how much to tell him.Too little and he might not come with me.Too much and I risked exposing everything."Someone left...something.A threat."I ran a hand through my hair, letting my genuine concern show."I called a friend who works security.He's handling it, but I don't think you're safe here."

Ethan's gaze was sharp, too perceptive."What kind of threat, Calder?What did they leave?"

"You don't want to know."

"I do, actually."His voice had an edge now."I'm tired of people deciding what I can and can't handle."

I met his gaze steadily."It was a heart, Ethan.A human heart."

All the color drained from his face.For a moment, I thought he might faint.He staggered backward until his legs hit the couch and he sat down hard."A...heart?"he whispered, his voice barely audible."Like an actual human heart?Not a...not a Halloween decoration or something?"

I moved to sit beside him, keeping a careful distance even as my wolf urged me to pull him close, to protect him."No decoration.The real thing."