Page 5 of The Secret Mate Society

As I pulled up to my new apartment building, I couldn't help but feel a mix of excitement and trepidation.This was my fresh start, my chance to prove to myself and everyone else that I could make it on my own.But a nagging voice in the back of my mind whispered doubts about my ability to stay grounded, to keep the memories of that fateful night at bay.I shook my head, trying to dispel the negative thoughts.No, I wouldn't let the past dictate my future.Not anymore.I was better than that.

The apartment was small but clean, with a tiny kitchen and a living room that doubled as a bedroom.It wasn't much, but it was mine.I spent the next few hours unpacking, arranging my meager possessions around the space.By the time I finished, the sun had long since set, and my stomach was growling in protest.

I was about to order Chinese takeout when I remembered the stack of newspapers Jake had given me.Curiosity got the better of me, and I settled onto the worn couch with the pile in my lap.As I flipped through the pages, I couldn't help but be impressed by the quality of reporting.The articles were well-written, concise, and informative, covering a wide range of local issues.I found myself particularly drawn to the crime beat articles, many of which bore Jake's byline.

As I read through one of his pieces about a string of break-ins in the downtown area, I couldn't help but admire his writing style.He had a way of weaving facts and human interest elements together that made even the driest police reports come alive on the page.

However, one article in particular caught my eye.It was just a short passing story by Daniel Rowe, the guy I’d replaced on Jake’s team.The article was only a few days old about some animal attacks outside Portland.However, it was the quote from a local that caught my eye.

“These aren’t just normal animal attacks… This… This is something different.”

I felt my gut twist in an instant, the words striking a chord within me.Before I knew what I was doing, I’d jumped up for a pair of scissors, cut the article out, and highlighted it.It wasn’t until I reached the kitchen counter where the box of my werewolf attack obsession sat that I realized what I was doing.

Forcing myself to take a deep breath, I lifted the lid of the box barely a centimeter and slipped the paper inside.The box didn’t control me.Those papers were not my life.But, I did what my therapist told me to do.Instead of treating it like my lifeline, I placed items in there whenever I caught myself slipping back into old obsessive habits.I never allowed myself to open it though, to go through the years of collected items and fall back into my old ways.Just having it around was enough to satiate that urge.

And I hoped, one day, that I’d be strong enough to part with it.For now though, it was going into the bottom of my closet where I would hopefully forget about it.

THE PORTLAND GAZETTE: Monday, October 12, 2009

Rising Animal Attacks Concern Residents Outside Portland

By Daniel Rowe, Staff Writer

PORTLAND, MAINE — A series of unusual animal attacks in the forests outside Portland has local residents on edge, with authorities struggling to explain the sudden rise in violent incidents.

Since late September, multiple reports of aggressive animal behavior have surfaced, including two hikers found with severe injuries near the Presumpscot River and a local farmer who lost several livestock under disturbing circumstances.While wildlife experts suggest an increase in coyote activity, some locals believe something more sinister may be at play.

“These aren’t just normal animal attacks,” saidMarcus Greer, a longtime resident of the area.“I’ve lived here my whole life.I know what coyotes and bears can do.This… this is different.It’s like something is hunting for sport.”

Local authorities have issued warnings, urging residents to avoid wandering into heavily wooded areas alone, especially at night.However, no official statement has been made regarding the nature of the attacks.

“We’re looking into all possibilities,” saidOfficer Leigh Pattersonof the Portland Sheriff’s Department.“While these incidents are concerning, we don’t want to create unnecessary panic.We encourage everyone to remain cautious and report any unusual wildlife behavior.”

Despite these reassurances, rumors have begun to spread.Some speculate that the recent deforestation projects near the outskirts of town may have disrupted the natural habitat of larger predators, forcing them closer to human settlements.Others whisper about old legends—stories of things that lurk in the woods, waiting for the right moment to reemerge.

For now, Portland residents are left with more questions than answers.

Officials urge anyone with information to contact the Maine Wildlife Service or local law enforcement.

Chapter3

Calder

It was another beautiful fall day in Portland, Maine.Thick gray clouds blocked the sun, the scent of fish was on the breeze, and the gulls screamed in the sky overhead.I’d lived in Portland my entire life and I still couldn’t get used to how goddamn gloomy it was from October to May.Then again, living on the outskirts of Portland meant me and my pack didn’t have far to go to find places to let the wolf out and run wild on the full moon.Plus we could pretty much subsist on seafood and that was a blessing in its own right.

“Son of a bitch!Are you fuckin’ kidding me?!”

I let out a long sigh, glancing out over my desk into the car garage where the rest of my pack was working.“What’s wrong, Patrick?”

“This fuckin’ idiot put windshield wiper fluid in their goddamn oil well!”

Another sigh.That was going to be a mess.Especially considering they’d driven it to the garage with all that fluid circulating where it shouldn’t have been.“Which vehicle is it?”I called back.“The red SUV?”

“Yeah,” he grumbled.“Fuck man… this is gonna take all goddamn night.”

“Just do what you can.I’ll call the customer and let them know.”

As a young werewolf, I would’ve done anything to have a different life from my father.But there I was, managing the same garage, running our small pack as their new Alpha.He’d died a few years back thanks to a lifetime of eating far too much fast food and red meat.Turned out werewolves were not immune to the standard American diet like they’d hoped.But he died doing what he loved, eating deep fried steak and complaining.