The theme entries each clue another word, as follows: CATTLECALL17AGroup audition[----------] - MOO INTERMINGLE27AAttend a singles event, perhaps[-----------] - MIX LIFEPARTNER47ASpouse[-----------] - MATE CONSCRIPTS63ADrafts[----------] - MEN
These words happen to rhyme with numbers: moo/two, mix/six, mate/eight, and men/ten. We've skipped an even number on the way: since the missing number is four, our answer is the corresponding M-word, MORE.
really enjoyed this and am really looking forward to any future metas! took me a sec to get the final step (you can probably tell by checking the meta submissions lol) but i didn't actually end up needing any of the hints. awesome puzzle
thank you, and congrats on the hintless solve! i wasn’t sure if some people would think past the final solution… hope it didn’t trip you up for too long!
another meta (one that i’m hoping will be easier) is currently being cooked. stay tuned…