Page 51 of The Secret Mate Society

"Shit," I muttered, padding quietly to the bathroom.

Under the hot spray of the shower, I scrubbed my skin vigorously, trying to wash away every trace of Ethan's scent.The wolf in me howled in protest, fighting against erasing the evidence of our connection.It felt wrong, like I was denying something fundamental about myself.

I stepped out of the shower and examined myself in the mirror.My eyes flashed gold momentarily before I forced them back to brown.The mate bond was strengthening, making it harder to control my shifts.I'd have to be extremely careful around the Council today.

After dressing in my most formal clothes, dark jeans and a button-down shirt that wasn't stained with motor oil, I moved to the kitchen to start coffee.I scribbled a quick note for Ethan.

Had to step out.Help yourself to anything in the kitchen.DO NOT leave the house.Not safe.Will explain everything when I get back.– C

I underlined "DO NOT leave" twice, hoping he'd listen.Knowing Ethan's curiosity, I wasn't confident.

Before leaving, I crept back to the bedroom for one last look at him.He'd rolled over into the warm spot I'd vacated, his face pressed into my pillow.Something possessive and primal surged through me at the sight.

"Mine," my wolf whispered.

I forced myself to turn away, grabbing my keys and heading for the door.The Council chambers were located beneath an old church downtown, accessible only through an entrance hidden from human eyes.As I climbed onto my motorcycle, I tried to organize my thoughts, to prepare my arguments.

The ride to downtown was a blur, my mind consumed with strategies and contingencies.How much could I reveal without exposing my true feelings?How could I convince them Ethan was valuable alive without admitting he was my mate?

I parked my bike two blocks from the church, walking the rest of the way to clear my head.The morning air was crisp, carrying the scent of rain and city pollution.I took deep, measured breaths, pushing down my wolf's anxiety.

The church looked abandoned from the outside, its stone facade weathered and uninviting.Perfect camouflage.I approached the side entrance, pressing my palm against the worn wooden door.A subtle shimmer of magic recognized me, and the door swung inward.

The interior was dark and musty, pews covered in dust.I moved directly to the confessional booth, stepping inside the cramped space.The familiar scent of old wood and incense filled my nostrils as I pressed a specific sequence against the wall panels.A section slid away silently, revealing a narrow stone staircase that descended into darkness.

My footsteps echoed hollowly as I made my way down, the temperature dropping with each step.Ancient runes carved into the walls glowed faintly with otherworldly light, casting eerie shadows that danced across the stone.The deeper I went, the more oppressive the atmosphere became, thick with centuries of supernatural politics and barely contained power.

The staircase opened into a vast circular chamber carved from living rock.Nine stone thrones arranged in a semicircle dominated the space, but only five were occupied by a member of the Elder Council.Their eyes tracked my movement as I entered, predators assessing potential prey.At least they hadn’t called the full council.That alone was a good sign.

Ageratum stood to the right of the central throne, his violet eyes unreadable.The demon looked perfectly composed, but I caught the subtle tension in his posture that suggested this meeting wouldn't go in my favor.

"Alpha Thorne," the voice came from the central throne, ancient and commanding.Elder Morgana, the oldest werewolf in the Pacific Northwest, regarded me with eyes that had witnessed nearly a century of pack politics.Her silver hair was braided with bone ornaments, and scars from countless battles marked her weathered hands."You stand before the Council to request guardianship of a human.This is...unprecedented."

I moved to the center of the chamber, forcing my shoulders back and my chin up.Showing weakness here would be fatal."Elder Morgana.Honored Council.I come seeking permission to protect Ethan Murphy as part of my investigation into the rogue attacks."

"Protect," Elder Cassius spoke from the third throne, his voice dripping with disdain.The younger Elder's dark eyes glittered with malice."An interesting choice of words, Alpha.Our reports suggest your interest in this human goes beyond professional necessity."

My jaw clenched, but I kept my voice steady."The human has information that could help us locate the rogue.He's also become a target, making him valuable bait."

"Bait," Elder Morgana repeated slowly."You would use a human as bait to catch one of our own kind?"

"If it means protecting the pack and maintaining our secrecy, yes."The lie tasted bitter on my tongue, but I forced conviction into my voice.

Elder Lydia leaned forward from the fifth throne, her hawk-like features sharp with suspicion."And what makes you believe this particular human possesses useful information?"

I'd prepared for this question, though the truth was more complicated than I could reveal."He's been investigating similar attacks for years.His father was killed in what appears to be a werewolf attack when he was fourteen.He has extensive research on supernatural incidents across multiple states.There’s a very real possibility that the werewolf that killed his father is the same one that is hunting him now."

Murmurs rippled through the Council.Clearly, this was new information to some of them.

"Fascinating," Elder Morgana said, leaning forward in her throne.Her silver eyes narrowed as she studied me."You believe this rogue has a personal connection to your...human."

"It's a theory," I replied carefully."The pattern matches.The missing organs, the signature, the timing.And now a direct threat."

Elder Cassius snorted."Or perhaps the human himself is the threat.Have you considered that, Alpha Thorne?That your journalist might be baiting you instead?"

My wolf bristled at the suggestion, but I kept my expression neutral."I've considered all possibilities."

"Have you?"Elder Lydia's voice cut through the chamber like a blade."Because our sources indicate you've been spending a considerable amount of time with this human.Time that exceeds what would be necessary for simple intelligence gathering."