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“And now the seal is breaking down,” Keir said, understanding dawning. “That’s why his fox features keep appearing.”

“The pre-marking bond is accelerating the process,” Elder Wu added. “Your connection to him is gradually eroding the barriers his parents placed. It’s why the bond has grown stronger than expected—it’s not just connecting to the Finn you know, but to the powers that have been dormant within him.”

“Which means the Shadow Harvesters might sense him again,” Cade said, his voice hardening with concern. “If his powers are awakening, he could become detectable to them once more.”

“This isn’t the first time such visions have come,” Elder Takoda said gravely. “Since the Blood Moon massacre that claimed your parents and the Tanakas, we’ve been monitoring signs of ancient evil. But nothing concrete has emerged.”

“Until now,” Elder Wu added. “Miriam’s vision, though vague, is the strongest indication yet that something is building. Not immediately, perhaps, but in the years to come.”

“So Finn isn’t in immediate danger?” Keir asked, seeking clarification.

“We can’t be certain,” Elder Rory replied honestly. “The pre-marking offers substantial protection. As long as it remains intact, he should be shielded from direct supernatural detection.”

“And his shifting?” Cade asked. “Can we help him break the seal his parents placed?”

“It would be unwise to attempt that now,” Elder Wu cautioned. “Not until we better understand what we’re facing. The seal, while limiting his abilities, also helps conceal his dual nature from those who might seek him.”

“So we wait,” Logan summarized, clearly displeased with the lack of action. “Until when?”

“Until we gather more information,” Elder Robert said firmly. “Until Miriam’s visions become clearer or until we identify the specific threat. Rushing blindly could put Finn in more danger, not less.”

“In the meantime,” Elder Takoda added, “maintain the bond. Keep him close when possible. But don’t alarm him unnecessarily with fragments and shadows. When we know more, then decisions can be made.”

Cade nodded, processing this information. It wasn’t what they’d hoped for—clear answers and a definite course of action—but it was better than complete ignorance. They now knew more about Finn’s heritage, understood why he couldn’t shift, and had warning of a potential threat, even if that threat remained nebulous.

“We appreciate your counsel,” Cade said, rising from his seat. “Please inform us immediately if anything changes, if Miriam has more visions, or if you discover anything about this… ancient darkness.”

“Of course,” Elder Miriam assured him, her strength evident despite her age. “And Cade? Remember that the mate bond between you is unique. Powerful. Finn’s dual nature makes him special, but also potentially volatile. Be careful how you approach this. If he feels trapped or manipulated, his kitsune nature will rebel.”

“We understand,” Cade promised, though privately he wondered if anyone could truly understand the complex being that was their mate. “We’ll protect him, however we can.”

As they left the council chamber, the three brothers moved with renewed purpose. The run had cleared their heads, burned off the excess energy from their morning with Finn, but this meeting had given them much to consider.

“What do we tell him?” Logan asked as they reached Cade’s office in the main house. “About his parents? About what he is?”

“The truth,” Cade said firmly. “Or at least part of it. He deserves to know his heritage.”

“But not about the vision,” Keir suggested. “Not until we know more. It would only frighten him for no reason.”

They entered the office, closing the door behind them. The space was quintessentially Cade—leather-bound books lining mahogany shelves, a massive desk overlooking the ocean, everything meticulously organized. It smelled of him, of pack and authority and safety.

“This is worse than we thought,” Cade said grimly, moving behind his desk. “An ancient power targeting Finn specifically.”

“We need to be careful how we tell him,”Logan said through their pack bond as he paced the length of the room.“Not overwhelm him all at once.”

“But honest,”Keir countered silently.“He deserves that much.”

Cade nodded, acknowledging both perspectives through their mental connection.

“How can it be him?” Logan said aloud, his voice irritated as he ran a hand through his hair. “He’s just a kid, a bratty little fox who can barely control his shift. Of all the supernatural beings to target?—”

“You don’t mean that,”Cade reminded him through their bond.“You’re just frustrated by the danger he’s in.”

“Of course I don’t mean it,”Logan replied silently.“I’m terrified for him. I love him.”

“Fate has a twisted sense of humor,” Keir replied with a resigned sigh, dropping into one of the leather chairs. “First making us wait years for him to mature, now this ancient threat.”

“We tell him about his parents first,”Cade instructed through the bond.“Then about the seal. But we wait on the vision until we know more.”