Page 25 of Furever Bound (Hollow Oak Mates #7)
SERA
T he quiet of Maddox's study that evening felt heavy with unspoken possibilities as Sera settled into what had become her favorite reading chair, surrounded by folklore texts that took on new meaning now that she understood manifestations could think, choose, and potentially evolve beyond their original programming.
The October wind had picked up outside, rattling windows with gusts that carried the scent of snow and the promise that winter would arrive early this year.
"You're plotting something," Maddox observed from his desk, where he'd been researching communication methods used in previous supernatural negotiations. "I can practically see the wheels turning in your head."
"I'm considering options," she corrected, though his ability to read her thought processes with increasing accuracy proved their mate bond was strengthening even without formal completion. "And before you start lecturing about risks and safety protocols, I want you to listen to the whole plan."
"Plan?" His voice carried the kind of careful control that meant he was already preparing counter-arguments to whatever she was about to propose.
"Tomorrow night is Halloween," she said, closing the book in her lap to give him her full attention. "The traditional peak of supernatural activity, when manifestation energy reaches maximum strength. If we're going to attempt communication with Grimjaw, that's our best opportunity."
"It's also when the creature will be most dangerous," he pointed out with protective intensity that made her chest warm despite her frustration with his overprotective instincts.
"Dangerous, yes, but also most substantial," she replied, leaning forward with the enthusiasm that always emerged when she found solutions to complex problems. "Most able to engage in actual dialogue rather than just projecting predatory instinct."
"Sera," he began with the patient tone he used when he was about to explain why her ideas were impractical.
"Let me finish," she interrupted, rising from her chair to pace the study with energy that demanded physical expression.
"I've been reading about previous manifestation communications, and the successful cases all involved direct psychic contact during peak supernatural periods.
Not containment, not destruction, not even traditional transformation—actual conversation. "
"Conversation that resulted in the catalyst being absorbed into the manifestation in sixty percent of documented cases," he replied grimly, his scholarly precision making uncomfortable statistics sound like academic discussion rather than life-or-death probabilities.
"And resulted in peaceful resolution without casualties in the remaining forty percent," she countered, moving to stand beside his desk where she could see the research materials he'd been studying.
"Including the 1956 case here in Hollow Oak, where the catalyst successfully negotiated transformation from predator to protector. "
"The 1956 catalyst was a trained hedge witch with forty years of experience managing supernatural entities," Maddox said, rising from his chair with controlled movement that suggested his wolf was agitated by their discussion. "You've had psychic abilities for less than two weeks."
"But I have something the 1956 catalyst didn't have," Sera pointed out, moving closer until she could feel the warmth radiating from his body. "I have you. A mate whose supernatural abilities complement mine, whose protection could anchor me during psychic contact."
The way his breathing changed when she mentioned mate bonding suggested her argument was affecting him despite his logical objections to direct manifestation engagement.
"The mating process isn't complete," he said, his voice gruff something that might have been desire or desperation. "Partial bonds don't provide the kind of supernatural anchoring that deep psychic work requires."
"Then maybe it's time to complete it," she said simply, the words escaping before she could consider their implications fully.
The suggestion felt like a challenge, and she watched his expression shift from protective concern to something hungrier and more complex as he processed what she was offering.
"Sera," he said carefully, "completing the mating bond shouldn't be something you agree to because of tactical advantages. It should be something you want for its own sake."
"I do want it for its own sake," she admitted, surprised by how certain she sounded. "I've wanted it since that first electric shock when we touched hands, even before I understood what it meant. The tactical advantages are just convenient timing."
"And if the communication attempt fails?" he asked, stepping closer. "If direct contact with Grimjaw proves too dangerous despite supernatural anchoring?"
"Then at least I'll have experienced what it feels like to belong completely to someone who sees all of me and wants me anyway, someone not gaining anything by being with me for status… just me," she replied, reaching up to trace the line of his jaw with fingertips that trembled slightly.
The admission that she was prepared to risk everything for the possibility of saving his community seemed to break the last of his careful control. When he kissed her this time, it carried desperate hunger.
"Are you sure?" he asked against her mouth, his hands tangling in her hair with possessive intensity. "Because once we complete the mating bond, there's no going back. You'll be mine in ways beyond understanding of relationship commitment of anything you know."
"And you'll be mine in exactly the same ways," she replied, meeting his possessive intensity with claiming desire of her own. "I'm sure, Maddox. I want this. I want you. I want to belong here completely."
Through the windows, she could see jack-o'-lanterns glowing throughout Hollow Oak as residents prepared for Halloween. Tomorrow night would bring challenges that could destroy everything they were building together, but tonight offered possibilities that felt worth any risk.
"And you do, even without the claiming. I don’t want to rush that. I want you to fully sit and understand what it will mean. But, that doesn’t mean we can’t give in to other desires.” He kissed her softly then and she could feel heat pool between her legs just by his touch.
“But–”
“We have time,” he interrupted her. “I want you to know me fully before deciding that. But first, with all this declaration of belonging, let me show how consistent I can be.” He smirked making her heart flip flop as he grabbed her hand and lead her to his bedroom.