Page 85 of The Secret Mate Society

His eyes darted around the room, taking in the overturned furniture and open window.Then his gaze landed on the empty dining table where we'd left the box.

"The research," he whispered, his voice hollow."It's gone."

The devastation that washed over his face was worse than I'd imagined.His knees seemed to buckle, and I rushed forward to catch him before he could collapse.

"I'm sorry," I said, the words thick in my throat."I tried to stop it, but it was already out the window by the time I got here.It had the box."

"We have to call the police," he said, already reaching for his phone."They could still be nearby.Maybe they can?—"

“And tell them what?”I barked back, harsher than I wanted to be.“That a monster stole some paperwork from you?They’d think it was a Halloween prank or something and throw us in jail.”

“But Calder…” he said, looking up at me with tear-stained cheeks.“It… It was everything I had… about my father…”

I pulled him in tight against my chest so he didn’t see the pain on my face.“I know, pup.”I just held him tight, hating myself with every passing moment.“I know.”

Chapter36

Ethan

It was far too late to call my mother and tell her not to come to Maine.Besides, what would I have said to her?Not to come because there was a monster trying to kill me?Oh yeah, and it’s the same monster that killed Dad?She’d think I’d lost my mind.Again.

The only saving grace was that she would be staying at a hotel during a holiday week.Halloween was sure to draw a lot of people to the city and there were lots of festivities happening.She’d be so surrounded by people in the heart of downtown Portland that she’d be safe within the crowd.The monster would never even know she was there.

At least that’s what I kept telling myself as I waited for her to arrive.And the waiting was killing me.I paced Calder's living room, anxious energy making it impossible to sit still.Every time I closed my eyes, I saw that box being carried away by some nameless monster in the dead of night.Years of work and memories vanished into the night without a trace.

"You're going to wear a path in my carpet," Calder said gently from the kitchen doorway.He was holding two mugs of coffee, steam rising in lazy curls.

"Sorry," I muttered, accepting the mug he offered."I just can't believe it's all gone.Every photo, every report, every single piece of evidence I collected.Gone."

Calder's jaw tightened."I should have stopped it."

"It's not your fault," I said automatically, though part of me wanted to scream that he should have done more, fought harder, been faster.But that wasn't fair.He'd been protecting me, keeping me safe in his home while that thing hunted me.

"What time is your mom supposed to arrive?"he asked, clearly trying to change the subject.

I glanced at my watch."She’s driving up so she’ll probably be at the hotel by three-thirty or so.That’s the earliest she can check in."

"And you still want to meet her for dinner tonight?"

"I don't have much choice," I sighed, running a hand through my hair."She's already texted me three times this morning about restaurant recommendations.And I can’t let her think something’s wrong.”

Calder nodded, his expression unreadable."We could take her to that Italian place on Exchange Street.It'll be crowded for Halloween, which means it'll be safe."

The thought of introducing Calder to my mother made my stomach twist with nerves.Under normal circumstances, I'd be worried about the usual things… would she like him, would he charm her, would she embarrass me with childhood stories?But these weren't normal circumstances.My mother was walking into danger she couldn't possibly understand, and I couldn't tell her why she should stay away or that Calder was protecting me from it all.

"She's going to love you," I said, trying to convince myself as much as him.

Calder's smile didn't quite reach his eyes."I hope so."

My phone buzzed with another text.Mom again, letting me know she'd just crossed the New Hampshire state line.I typed a quick reply, telling her I'd see her at the hotel later.

"I should go back to my apartment," I said, pocketing my phone."Get some fresh clothes before she arrives."

Calder's posture stiffened immediately."I don't think that's a good idea."

"I can't meet my mother wearing your clothes, Calder.Besides, that thing already got what it wanted from your place.The research is gone."

"We don't know that's all it wanted," he countered, his voice tense."It could have been searching for you."