Page 94 of The Secret Mate Society

I shook off the water from my coat before padding up to the house where my clothes were still lying under the eaves.The shift back to human form was always more painful than the initial transformation, my bones protesting as they realigned, muscles contracting sharply as they returned to their original configuration.I bit back a cry as my muzzle receded, hands forming from paws, fur retreating beneath my skin.

When the transformation was complete, I knelt naked on my back porch, rain pelting my bare shoulders as I caught my breath.The mysterious scent still bothered me.Who would be coming around my house in the middle of the night?

I grabbed my clothes from their hiding spot, pulling them on quickly despite my damp skin.The t-shirt clung uncomfortably, but I was too preoccupied to care.All I could think about was getting back to Ethan, making sure he was safe.

The house was silent as I slipped back inside, locking the door behind me.I padded quietly through the darkened kitchen, pausing to listen for any sounds that didn't belong.Nothing but the soft hum of the refrigerator and the gentle patter of rain against the windows.

I moved down the hallway toward the bedroom, my wolf senses still sharp enough to navigate without light.The door was ajar, just as I'd left it.I pushed it open slowly, holding my breath as the hinges threatened to creak.

Ethan lay exactly where I'd left him, still clutching my pillow to his chest.His breathing was deep and even, face relaxed in sleep.The sight of him calmed my racing heart immediately.He was safe.Whoever had been outside hadn't gotten in.

I stripped off my damp clothes and slid carefully back into bed beside him.He stirred slightly, murmuring something unintelligible before settling against me, his head finding my shoulder in the darkness.His body found the crook of my neck, his skin warm against mine.I wrapped my arm around him, pulling him closer, breathing in his scent to reassure myself he was really there, really safe.

"Where'd you go?"he mumbled sleepily, his voice thick with dreams.

"Just to get some water," I whispered, pressing a kiss to his forehead."Go back to sleep."

He hummed contentedly and nestled closer.I felt a stab of guilt for the lie, but what choice did I have?I couldn't tell him I'd been running through the neighborhood as a wolf, not yet.Not with the rogue still out there, not with Ethan's history.

As I lay there listening to the rain against the windows, I tried to imagine how I would ever explain what I was to him.How could I possibly make him understand that not all wolves were like the one that killed his father?That my kind lived peacefully alongside humans, protecting them from the rogues who gave us all a bad name?

I traced gentle patterns on his back, feeling the steady rise and fall of his breathing.He trusted me so completely, and I was betraying that trust every day I kept my true nature from him.

But the alternative was worse.If I told him and he ran from me, if he looked at me with fear and disgust in those beautiful green eyes...I wasn't sure I could survive it.The mate bond was too strong now.Losing him would break something fundamental inside me.

Yet I couldn't keep lying to him forever.Especially not after I'd promised him no more secrets once this was all over.

Chapter40

Ethan

“Hey Calder,” I called from the other room.

“Yeah?”

“Were you expecting a package?”

He leaned into the doorway, catching my eye with a grin on his face.“I mean… yours maybe.After breakfast?”

“Ha-ha,” I grinned.“Very funny.”I glanced back out the window, a coffee mug in my hand.“I asked because there’s a box on your front porch.”

Calder moved to stand behind me, looking over my shoulder through the window.His warm presence was comforting against my back as he peered out at the mysterious package."I didn't order anything," he murmured, his breath tickling my ear."And nobody ever delivers packages here.Most people don't even know where I live.I have everything sent to the shop."

I squinted, trying to make out any details."It has my name on it."

His body tensed immediately."Your name?Are you sure?"

"Pretty sure, yeah."I set my coffee down on the windowsill."I can see 'Ethan' from here.But there’s no label."

Calder's hand gripped my shoulder, keeping me in place when I tried to move toward the door."Wait.Don't go out there."

"It's just a package, Calder," I said, though a knot of unease was forming in my stomach."It's probably something from work."

"That's sent to my address?"His voice had that edge to it, the one that appeared whenever he thought I might be in danger."Nobody knows you're staying here except your mother and Jake."

I bit my lip, considering.He had a point."Maybe Mom sent something?A late Halloween gift?"

"Maybe."He didn't sound convinced."Stay here.I'll get it."