Page 52 of The Secret Mate Society

I felt a cold sweat break out across my back.They had been watching me more closely than I'd realized.

"The human trusts me," I said, choosing my words with extreme care."Building that trust requires time and consistency."

"Trust," Elder Cassius repeated with a smirk."Is that what they're calling it these days?"

Before I could respond, Elder Morgana raised her hand, silencing the room."What interests me more than Alpha Thorne's methods is the rogue's fixation on this particular human.If there is indeed a connection spanning decades, we must consider the implications."

The fifth Elder, who had remained silent until now, finally spoke.Elder Thaddeus was ancient even by werewolf standards, his withered face a roadmap of wrinkles and scars."There is a possible connection," he said, his voice barely above a whisper.“A werewolf killed a family back in the sixties and was outcast.Why the council didn’t put him down, I do not know.But there is a chance that this new rogue is his son.And that he shares the same hatred of humans that his father possessed.”He glanced around at the other elders slowly.“It was his opinion that humans are below shifters, that they are nothing more than food for our young.”His gaze focused on each elder in turn.“And the disdain for mankind coming from this council makes me question whether or not some of you agree with him.”

Cold silence filled the room.Elder Cassius bristled visibly, his knuckles whitening as he gripped the armrests of his throne."You overstep, Thaddeus.None of us advocate for such barbarism."

"Don't I?"Elder Thaddeus's rheumy eyes held a surprising sharpness."Yet here we sit, debating whether to eliminate a human who's done nothing but survive a tragedy this council allowed to happen."

I kept my expression carefully neutral despite the shock rippling through me.This wasn't just Council politics anymore, this was something deeper, older.A rift I hadn't known existed.

"The Murphy boy's father," I ventured carefully."Was his death...sanctioned?"

Elder Morgana's silver eyes flashed dangerously."Watch yourself, Alpha Thorne.You approach treasonous questions."

"I approach the truth," I countered, feeling reckless heat rise in my chest."You want to kill Ethan, so how am I to know you didn’t kill his father too?”

Ageratum stepped forward, his violet eyes glowing faintly."Perhaps we're straying from the matter at hand.Alpha Thorne requests temporary guardianship of the human.This is a simple administrative decision."

"Nothing about this is simple," Elder Lydia hissed."If this human has been investigating our kind for years, he's already a liability.And now Alpha Thorne wants to keep him close?The risk of exposure is unacceptable."

"The risk of another dead human with missing organs is worse," I argued."Portland police are already investigating.If Murphy disappears now, it draws more attention, not less."

Elder Morgana studied me for a long, uncomfortable moment."You seem exceptionally concerned with this human's welfare, Alpha Thorne."

"I'm concerned with maintaining our secrecy," I replied evenly."Dead bodies attract attention.Missing journalists even more so."

"And if we decide the human must be eliminated regardless?"Elder Cassius asked, a cruel smile playing at the corners of his mouth.

My wolf surged forward so violently I had to dig my nails into my palms to maintain control.The pain helped center me, but I knew my eyes had flashed gold for a split second.Elder Morgana's slight intake of breath confirmed it."I would expect the Council to make decisions based on logic, not fear," I managed, my voice steady despite the rage burning through me.

Elder Thaddeus let out a dry chuckle."The boy's right.We've become reactionary in our old age."He fixed me with those ancient eyes and raised his hand.“I vote to release Mr.Murphy to Alpha Thorne’s care.”

The others stared at him for a long moment as if daring to oppose their most ancient member.Finally the other four slowly raised their hands, although some were extremely reticent.

“The motion passes,” Elder Morgana said.“Ethan Murphy is granted atemporarystay of judgement and is now in your care Alpha Thorne.”She leaned forward in her throne, her eyes flashing.“We’ll be watching.”

Chapter23

Calder

As I rode back to my house, more lies formed in my head.Now that I had the Elder Council’s permission to keep Ethan safe, I had to convince Ethan to stay with me.And I hadn’t exactly been treating him the best so far.Every time he got close, I pushed him away.Just as soon as I did that, I’d sweep him up and make some romantic gesture, then push him away again.The guy had to be getting tired of me.

But the truth couldn’t be avoided anymore.After spending so much time with him, I was sure he was my mate.There was no other way to explain how I felt.It was also the only way to explain why I’d gone from straight to gay at the speed of light.As much as I searched my past, I couldn’t find any signs that I’d secretly been into men the entire time.But now that I was with Ethan, I couldn’t think about anyone else but him.Only a mate bond could do that.

My wolf wanted himbad.Suddenly nothing felt important except Ethan.I didn’t care about the Council, the car garage, my pack, or even whether or not I’d eaten.All I could think about was him, his touch, and the way his scent clung to my skin.And that feeling was going to get me in trouble.If the Council saw me abandon everything for this human, they’d know my secret immediately.I was pretty sure Elder Morgana knew already.

I pulled into my driveway, cutting the engine and sitting there for a long moment.The house looked peaceful in the morning light, no sign of the turmoil happening inside my head.Taking a deep breath, I dismounted the bike and headed for the door, trying to organize my thoughts.

The scent hit me the moment I stepped inside, coffee brewing, toast, and Ethan.My wolf stirred immediately, eager and possessive.I found him in the kitchen, wearing nothing but his boxers and one of my t-shirts that hung loose on his smaller frame.The sight of him in my clothes made something primal rumble in my chest.

"Hey," he said, glancing up with a tentative smile."I hope it's okay that I made coffee."

"Of course," I managed, trying not to stare at the way the sunlight caught in his blonde hair."My house is your house."