Page 87 of The Secret Mate Society

There was a brief pause, then a squeal that nearly made me drop the phone."The guy you mentioned?Calder?Oh honey, that's wonderful!I can't wait to meet him!"

"Just...be cool, okay?"I pleaded, knowing it was probably futile."No embarrassing stories, no baby pictures on your phone."

"Would I do that to my only son?"she asked with mock innocence.

"Yes, absolutely," I laughed."Every chance you get."

"Fine, fine.I'll behave," she promised."Should we meet at the restaurant or are you picking me up?"

I glanced at Calder again, who was now watching me intently, clearly trying to follow the conversation."We'll pick you up.Six o'clock in the hotel lobby?"

"Perfect!I'll be ready.Love you, honey."

"Love you too, Mom."

I hung up and let out a long breath.Calder crossed the room and wrapped his arms around me from behind, resting his chin on my shoulder.

"Everything okay?"he asked.

"Yeah," I nodded."She's excited to meet you."

"And you're nervous," he observed, his breath warm against my ear.

"Terrified," I admitted."But not about you meeting her.I'm scared for her, Calder.What if that thing follows us?What if it realizes she's connected to me?"

His arms tightened around me."It won't happen.We'll be in a crowded restaurant, and I'll be there.Nothing's going to touch either of you.”

I turned in his embrace to face him."Promise me you'll keep her safe.No matter what happens, even if it means?—"

"Don't," he interrupted, pressing a finger to my lips."Don't even say it.I'm not choosing between you and someone else.Not even your mom.”He pulled me into a hug again.“Besides, my contacts reached out.They’re getting close.It won’t be much longer before we’ve got thatmonstertaken care of.”

His words were meant to be reassuring, but the hollow feeling in my chest only grew deeper.The monster was closing in, I could feel it.My research was gone, my safe spaces violated, and now my mother was walking straight into danger because of me.

"How are they even tracking it?"I asked, my voice barely above a whisper."If the police can't even figure out what's happening, how can your...contacts be so sure they're close?"

Calder hesitated, that familiar look crossing his face—the one that told me he was calculating exactly how much to reveal.

"They have methods the police don't," he said finally."Experience with this kind of thing that goes back generations."

I pulled away from him slightly, studying his face."Like a family business?Hunting monsters?"

"Something like that," he replied, his eyes not quite meeting mine."It's complicated."

"Everything about this is complicated," I sighed, running my hands through my hair."I just want it to be over.I want to stop looking over my shoulder, stop worrying about who might die next because of me."

Calder cupped my face in his hands, forcing me to look at him."This isn't because of you, Ethan.None of it is.You were a victim, just like your father.Just like all the others."

I wanted to believe him, but the weight of fourteen years of guilt wasn't so easily dismissed.If I hadn't survived that night in the woods, would the creature have moved on?Would all those people still be alive?

"We should get ready," I said, changing the subject."Mom hates it when people are late."

Calder nodded, releasing me reluctantly."I'll wear something nice.Make a good impression."

Despite everything, I found myself smiling."Just be yourself.That's who I fell for."

His answering smile was warm, but there was something behind his eyes, like a sadness or worry that he couldn't quite hide.I wanted to ask him about it, but part of me was afraid of the answer.What if he was having second thoughts about us?What if the danger was becoming too much?“Calder?Will you promise me something?”I asked suddenly.

“I… I can try,” he replied, an eyebrow lifting in concern.