Page 86 of The Secret Mate Society

I felt a chill run down my spine at the thought."Then why take the box?"

"To draw you out?To hurt you?"He gave me a shrug, but his expression was serious.“I just don’t think it’s a good idea for you to be out right now.”

That struck me as odd.Usually Calder was the first to jump in to escort me or protect me.But right now… it sort of felt like he was trying to keep me trapped in his house.And with everything going on, I needed air more than ever.

“It’s just clothes, Calder,” I replied, standing up from the couch.“We’ll be there for five minutes.You can come with me.”

He grabbed my hand before I could walk away.“Ethan… I’m just trying to keep you safe.”

“Okay,” I nodded.“Then come with me and keep me safe.”

There was a flash of irritation in his expression, but it disappeared quickly."Fine," Calder said with a sigh.He ran his hand through his dark hair, a gesture I was beginning to recognize as his way of dealing with frustration."Let me grab my keys."

I felt a small pang of guilt as I watched him reluctantly gather his things.He was genuinely worried about me, but I couldn't shake the feeling that something wasn't quite right.The way he'd been acting since the break-in was odd.He was tense, almost secretive, and it was setting off alarm bells in my brain for some reason.Something was wrong, more so than usual.

The ride to my apartment was silent, the rumble of Calder's bike filling the space where conversation should have been.His body was rigid against mine, none of the easy affection that usually flowed between us when we rode together.When we arrived, he scanned the parking lot carefully before allowing me to dismount.

"I'll go in first," he insisted, positioning himself between me and my own front door.

"Calder, this is getting ridiculous," I said, unable to keep the irritation from my voice."It's broad daylight.There are people everywhere."

"Humor me," he replied, his tone leaving no room for argument.

I followed him into my apartment, watching as he checked each room with military precision.Only when he was satisfied did he nod for me to enter the bedroom and gather my things.

"Five minutes," he reminded me, leaning against the doorframe with his arms crossed.

I grabbed a duffel bag from my closet and started throwing in clothes."You know, this whole caveman protector thing is starting to get old."

"Is staying alive getting old too?"he shot back.

I paused, a clean shirt halfway to my bag."That's not fair."

Calder's expression softened slightly."I'm sorry.I just...I can't lose you, Ethan.Not to that thing.Not to anything."

The raw emotion in his voice melted some of my irritation.I crossed the room and placed my hand on his chest, feeling his heart pounding beneath my palm.

"You won't lose me," I promised."But you can't keep me locked away either.My mother is coming, and we're going to have dinner with her, and everything is going to be fine."

He covered my hand with his own."I hope you're right."

I finished packing quickly, and soon we were back on Calder's bike heading to his place.As we rode, I couldn't help but think about how much my life had changed in just a few weeks.From a lonely reporter chasing stories to a man in love, being hunted by a monster, and about to introduce my boyfriend to my mother.It would have been comical if it weren't so terrifying.

Back at Calder's, I showered and changed, trying to look presentable for my mother.I was just buttoning my shirt when my phone rang.

"Mom?"I answered, tucking the phone between my ear and shoulder.

"Ethan!I'm at the hotel!"she exclaimed, her voice bubbling with excitement."It's so charming!All decorated for Halloween with these adorable little pumpkins in the lobby.You should see it!"

"That's great, Mom," I replied, trying to match her enthusiasm despite the knot in my stomach."How was the drive up?"

"Oh, you know how I love a good road trip.I stopped at this darling little farm stand in New Hampshire and bought some apple cider donuts.I saved you some!"

I smiled despite myself.My mother's ability to find joy in the smallest things had always been both endearing and frustrating, especially when I was a moody teenager.Now, with everything happening, her cheerfulness felt like a lifeline to normalcy.

"So, dinner tonight?"she continued."I'm starving after that drive.Where are we going?"

"There's an Italian place on Exchange Street that's supposed to be good," I said, watching Calder through the bedroom doorway as he paced the living room."And Mom...I'm bringing someone."