Page 34 of Furever Bound (Hollow Oak Mates #7)
SERA
T he transformation of Grimjaw from bone collector to community guardian created a spectacular display of supernatural energy that turned the Halloween night sky into aurora-like patterns of green and gold, while federal surveillance equipment recorded evidence that would reshape governmental understanding of psychic phenomena forever.
But Sera's attention remained focused on the magnificent creature before her, whose purpose had been fundamentally rewritten through community choice and conscious cooperation.
"It's beautiful," she breathed, watching as Grimjaw's form solidified into something that retained its impressive size and supernatural presence while radiating protection rather than predation.
The bone antlers remained, but they gleamed with inner light that spoke of guardian strength rather than collected trophies.
"You have given me new purpose," Grimjaw said, its voice carrying gratitude that resonated through their psychic connection. "I am guardian now. Protector of this place and these people. The children who showed no fear, the community that chose transformation over destruction."
"Thank you," Sera replied, tears freezing on her cheeks in the cold air. "For choosing change, for believing that stories can have different endings, for protecting rather than hunting."
The successful communication had drained her psychic abilities more than she'd expected, and she felt Maddox's protective presence anchoring her consciousness as supernatural energy settled into new patterns around Hollow Oak.
"Ms. Quinn," Elena called from across the square, her professional authority cutting through the celebration with bureaucratic precision. "Federal agents need to conduct immediate interviews regarding the manifestation control techniques you've just demonstrated."
"Manifestation control?" Sera turned to face the federal investigator with exhaustion making her voice sharp. "I didn't control anything. I communicated, negotiated, offered alternatives to destructive behavior."
"Alternatives that resulted in substantial alteration of a dangerous supernatural entity," Elena replied, gesturing to her surveillance equipment that had documented the entire transformation. "Abilities that clearly constitute significant national security assets."
"Assets?" she said, stepping toward Elena with the kind of direct confrontation she'd been avoiding for days. "People aren't assets, abilities aren't weapons, and communities aren't laboratories for federal experimentation."
"Individuals with psychic capabilities that can manifest and control supernatural entities absolutely represent national security interests," Elena countered with bureaucratic ruthlessness.
"Particularly when those individuals operate outside federal oversight in communities that concealer supernatural activity. "
"Concealer?" Sera's voice rose with indignation that cut through the Halloween festivities. "This community doesn't conceal anything. They live authentically while respecting the privacy that everyone deserves."
"Privacy that ends when supernatural activities threaten civilian populations," Elena replied, signaling to federal agents who began moving with tactical precision that suggested arrest rather than interview.
"The only threats here came from your interference," Sera shot back, her developing psychic abilities picking up hostile intentions from Elena's federal colleagues. "Grimjaw is now a guardian, this community is safer than ever, and you're still looking for excuses to justify government overreach."
"Elena," Maddox said, threatening authority radiating protective menace that made several federal agents reconsider their approach, "I suggest you reconsider any actions that threaten my mate."
"Your mate?" Elena's eyebrows rose with academic interest that felt predatory.
"Supernatural bonding with psychic individuals could provide fascinating research opportunities.
How does shapeshifter partnership affect manifestation abilities?
Do enhanced supernatural connections amplify psychic capabilities? "
The way she discussed their relationship as potential research project sent rage flooding through Sera's system, and she felt Maddox's similar fury through their bond.
"We're leaving," Sera announced with finality that brooked no argument. "This conversation, this investigation, this entire federal interference ends now."
"Actually, it doesn't," Elena said with regretful authority that suggested she'd been expecting this confrontation. "Federal agents have warrants for protective custody based on documented evidence of uncontrolled psychic manifestation."
"Protective custody," Sera repeated with bitter humor. "Is that what you call imprisonment now?"
"It's what we call responsible management of supernatural threats that could be exploited by hostile entities," Elena replied with clinical precision that reduced complex community dynamics to national security assessments.
Before Elena's agents could move to enforce their warrants, Grimjaw's massive form interposed itself between Sera and federal authority with protective determination that proved its transformation had been complete and permanent.
"The creator will not be taken," the guardian declared, its voice carrying supernatural authority that made the air itself seem to vibrate with power. "The community will not be threatened. The protection I was given, I now give in return."
The federal agents found themselves facing an eight-foot supernatural entity whose bone antlers gleamed with protective fire, and even Elena's bureaucratic confidence faltered as she realized their carefully planned acquisition had become exponentially more complicated.
"This is what cooperation looks like," Sera said with satisfaction that cut through her exhaustion. "This is what happens when supernatural abilities serve community protection rather than government control."
As Grimjaw established a protective perimeter around Hollow Oak's residents while federal agents retreated to reconsider their tactical options, Sera realized that their Halloween night communication had succeeded beyond her wildest hopes—and that Elena's federal interference had created exactly the kind of opposition that would make their sanctuary stronger rather than more vulnerable.
But looking at Maddox's protective intensity and feeling their mate bond pulse with shared determination, she also realized that their fight for community autonomy was just beginning.