11. Calder
Calder
Thanks for the ride, handsome. :-) So… when’s our next date?
Ethan’s message stared back at me from my phone screen. I’d woken up to it earlier that morning and throughout the day I’d revisited it over and over again. I couldn’t help myself. Every time I looked at those words, they made my heart sing.
I'd tried to tell myself that meeting with Ethan was a mistake, that getting involved with a human, especially a journalist, was asking for trouble. But now, staring at his text message for what must have been the twentieth time, I couldn't deny the warmth spreading through my chest.
My thumbs hovered over the keypad as I sat in my office, surrounded by invoices I should have been processing hours ago. The garage was unusually quiet today, with Trevor and Patrick both out on a tow job. The silence gave me too much space to think about those green eyes and that dimpled smile.
"Fuck it," I muttered, finally typing a response.
Tomorrow night. Dinner? I know a place.
I hit send before I could overthink it, then immediately tossed my phone onto the desk like it had burned me.
What was I doing? The Secret Mate Society would have my hide if they knew I was pursuing a human without going through proper channels.
Not to mention the fact that I still didn't understand why my wolf responded so strongly to Ethan.
The phone buzzed almost immediately. I snatched it up, ignoring the flutter in my stomach.
It's a date! Pick me up at 7? I'll text you my address.
Another buzz followed with his address. It was from an apartment complex on the east side of town.
I knew the area. It wasn't the best neighborhood, but not the worst either.
However, it was affordable and considering Ethan was new to town on a journalist salary, I figured that was his reason for choosing it.
I'll be there, I responded, then added, Dress warm. It's outdoor seating.
I set the phone down, rubbing my face with my hands.
This was reckless. Dangerous. And yet, I couldn't stop the smile tugging at my lips.
I just wished I understood why he made me feel this way.
And why now? After all those years of chasing women and being so sure of myself, why did Ethan Murphy make my heart flutter every time he smiled at me?
The bell at the front of the shop jingled, pulling me from my thoughts. I straightened up, composing myself before heading out to greet the customer.
"Be right there," I called, grabbing a clean rag to wipe the lingering grease from my hands. When I pushed through the office door, I froze.
Elias Ageratum stood in the lobby, his tailored suit looking absurdly out of place among the motor oil displays and tire advertisements. His violet eyes fixed on me with an intensity that made my wolf bristle.
"Alpha Thorne," he said, his voice smooth as silk. "I hope I'm not interrupting anything important."
My mind flashed to Ethan's text message, and I fought to keep my expression neutral. "Just catching up on paperwork. What can I do for you, Elias?"
The demon adjusted his cufflinks, a gesture I was beginning to recognize as a nervous habit. "There's been another incident. More severe than the cattle."
My stomach dropped. "Human?"
Elias nodded once, his expression grim. "A hiker. Found this morning in the woods near Greer's farm. The Council wants all Alphas on high alert."
"Same... signature?" I asked, already knowing the answer.
"Exactly the same," Elias confirmed, lowering his voice though we were alone. "Heart and liver missing. But this time, there was something new."
I tensed, my wolf immediately alert. "What?"
"A message." Elias reached into his jacket pocket and produced a folded photograph, handling it with gloved fingers. "Carved into the victim's chest."
I took the photo reluctantly, steeling myself before looking down. The image showed a pale torso, bloodied and mutilated, with crude letters carved into the flesh. My blood ran cold as I read the words: "I SEE YOU."
"Jesus Christ," I muttered, handing the photo back. "Do we know who the victim is?"
"A local named Marcus Greer. Farmer. The Council believes the message wasn't meant for him, but rather for someone who might be investigating these attacks."
My heart stuttered. Ethan had interviewed Greer about the cattle mutilations. Did that mean the message was meant for Ethan? Or was it meant for us? It was hard to say, but either way, it put Ethan squarely in danger.
"The Council wants you to increase patrols immediately," Elias continued, oblivious to my inner turmoil. "We believe the rogue is escalating, and we can't afford another human death. It draws too much attention.”
I nodded mechanically, my mind racing. Ethan could be in terrible danger. Clearly the rogue wasn’t fucking around. If it was fine with killing Greer, Ethan wouldn’t stand a chance.
"Alpha Thorne?" Elias's voice cut through my thoughts. "You seem distracted."
"No, I—" I cleared my throat. "Just processing. This is the first human victim in my territory. It changes things."
Elias studied me, those inhuman eyes seeming to peer straight through my defenses. "Indeed it does. The Council expects daily reports from now on." He paused. "And be careful who you associate with. Humans are curious creatures. They notice things, ask questions."
My wolf growled silently at the thinly veiled warning. Did he know about Ethan? About our... whatever this was?
"I understand," I said, keeping my voice level. "I'll gather my pack tonight. We'll start wider patrols immediately."
Elias nodded, satisfied. "Good. The Council appreciates your cooperation." He turned to leave, then paused at the door. "Oh, and Calder? Remember what happened to the last Alpha who got too close to humans. The Council's memory is long."
With that parting shot, he slipped out the door, leaving me standing in the empty lobby with my heart hammering against my ribs. The threat was clear. Stay away from humans or face the consequences. Obviously the council was watching me… watching all of us.
I grabbed my phone, my fingers trembling slightly as I pulled up Ethan's messages. Everything in me screamed to cancel our date, to keep him at arm's length for his own safety. But the thought of Greer's body, of that message carved into his flesh, made me pause.
If the rogue was targeting people investigating the attacks, then Ethan was already in danger. Canceling our date wouldn't protect him, it would just leave him vulnerable and alone.
I closed my eyes, trying to think clearly through the panic clouding my judgment. The rogue had escalated from cattle to humans. It had murdered someone Ethan had interviewed. And now it was sending messages.
A cold realization settled over me. I needed to keep Ethan close and not just because my wolf demanded it, but because it might be the only way to keep him alive.
I stared at my phone, debating what to do.
The smart move would be to call off everything with Ethan and report to the Council that a human journalist was investigating.
They'd handle it their way, which usually meant a forcible relocation. There were a few powerful witches on the council as well so they might go as far as to wipe Ethan’s memory.
But the thought of the Council tampering with Ethan's mind made my wolf snarl in protective fury. No. I wouldn't let that happen. I wouldn’t let them force him to forget me. Not until I figured out what the hell was going on between us.
I'd keep our date, but I'd be vigilant. I'd watch for any signs of the rogue. And I'd find a way to steer Ethan away from the investigation without raising his suspicions. Maybe I could talk him out of journalism altogether. I needed help at the garage, maybe he’d be interested in a new job.
The bell on the front door jingled again, pulling me from my thoughts, and this time it was Trevor and Patrick returning from their tow job.
"Boss?" Trevor called, his head appearing around the doorframe. "You okay? You look like you've seen a ghost."
I schooled my features, pushing down the storm of emotions. "Pack meeting tonight. Urgent. Call everyone."
Trevor's expression sobered immediately. He knew what that meant. "Human?"
I nodded grimly. "Greer. The farmer of the cows that got mutilated."
"Shit," Patrick muttered, coming up behind Trevor. "That's... that's not random."
"No," I agreed. "It's not. Which means we need to be careful. Very careful."
The two exchanged looks, a silent communication born from years of friendship and pack bonds.
"What about the journalist?" Trevor asked, his voice low. "The one you were pumping for information. He could be in danger."
My jaw tightened. "I'll handle Ethan."
Something in my tone must have given me away because Patrick's eyebrows shot up, a mischievous grin curling over his lips. "Handle him how, exactly?"
"That's not what I meant," I growled, though the flush creeping up my neck betrayed me.
Trevor's lips quirked into a knowing smile. "Sure, boss. Whatever you say."
I glared at them both. "Just call the pack. Eight o'clock at my place. This isn’t a joke.”
“Alright boss,” Trevor said, still grinning. “We’re just messing with you.”
“We’ll call the pack,” Patrick added.
They nodded, though the amusement hadn't left their eyes. As they headed back to the garage, I returned to my office, my mind still spinning with possibilities and dangers.
The photo Elias had shown me was burned into my memory—Greer's mutilated body, the message carved into his flesh. "I SEE YOU." A warning? A taunt? Either way, it made one thing clear. The rogue wolf wasn't just killing for food or territory. This was personal.
I slumped into my chair, the weight of responsibility pressing down on me. As Alpha, it was my duty to protect not just my pack, but all the supernatural creatures in my territory. And now, inexplicably, it felt like my duty to protect Ethan too.
My phone buzzed again. Another text from Ethan.
Ethan: Can't wait to see you tomorrow. Should I be nervous? You're not taking me to one of those places where they make you catch your own dinner, are you?
Despite everything, I found myself smiling. Even through text, his personality shone through. He was witty, a little sarcastic, and endearingly human. I typed back quickly.
Me: No fishing required. Just good food and better company.
The response was immediate, a simple heart emoji that made my chest tighten with an emotion I wasn't ready to name. Every time the feeling rose up, it surprised me. It filled me with warmth and terror all at the same time. Elias and the council suspected me, that much was clear. And now Patrick and Trevor were making jokes too. Was I really so transparent? Then again, being thirty without a Luna of my own to help me run the pack was unusual. Most Alpha’s had a mate before they even took over. But mine had never shown.
Until now?
No. That couldn’t be it. Same sex mates were rare and Alpha’s finding male mates was almost unheard of. It had to be something else. And until I knew what it was, I would keep it quiet. Nobody needed to know how my heart raced every time I thought about Ethan Murphy.
I just hoped I figured it out soon.