Page 35 of Furever Bound (Hollow Oak Mates #7)
MADDOX
T he aftermath of Grimjaw's transformation settled over Hollow Oak like morning mist, with residents gradually returning to their homes while federal agents retreated to establish what Elena euphemistically called "a modified observation perimeter.
" The Halloween snow continued falling, muffling sounds and creating a peaceful atmosphere that felt surreal after the evening's supernatural drama.
"They'll be back," Emmett observed as he and Maddox walked the perimeter where Grimjaw now patrolled with protective diligence, the transformed guardian's massive form moving through shadows with purpose. "Elena's federal colleagues don't abandon objectives this easily."
"But they'll be back with different strategies," Maddox replied, his enhanced senses tracking both federal withdrawal and supernatural settlement patterns.
"Direct acquisition failed when Grimjaw intervened, so they'll try legal pressure, bureaucratic harassment, anything that forces cooperation without requiring confrontation with an eight-foot supernatural guardian. "
He could feel Sera's exhaustion from the psychic communication effort, her satisfaction at successfully transforming a dangerous manifestation into community protection, and underneath it all, her growing certainty that Hollow Oak had become home in ways she'd never expected.
"How is she handling the federal attention?" Emmett asked with the practical concern of someone who'd seen government pressure break individuals who weren't prepared for sustained harassment.
"Better than expected," Maddox admitted, pride for his mate's resilience cutting through his protective anxiety. "She understands that Elena's agenda extends beyond her abilities to broader supernatural community control. It's not personal persecution—it's political targeting."
"Political targeting that could destroy everything we've built here," Emmett pointed out with tactical realism that forced acknowledgment of larger stakes.
They paused at the town square where jack-o'-lanterns continued glowing despite the late hour, their warm light mixing with snow to create atmosphere that belonged in holiday greeting cards rather than supernatural crisis aftermath.
Elena's abandoned surveillance equipment stood like skeletal reminders of federal interference, their sophisticated technology rendered useless by manifestation energy that disrupted electronic systems.
"The equipment failures," Maddox realized with academic excitement that cut through his political concerns. "Grimjaw's transformation created electromagnetic patterns that interfered with federal documentation. Elena's evidence might be incomplete or corrupted."
"Meaning she can't prove what she witnessed?"
"Meaning she has partial recordings of supernatural phenomena but no clear documentation of Sera's specific abilities or the transformation process," Maddox confirmed, his scholarly mind working through possibilities that could provide legal protection.
"Federal warrants based on incomplete evidence become much harder to enforce. "
A soft whimper from the darkness beyond the street lamps drew their attention to a small figure huddled against the cold—a child who'd apparently become separated from trick-or-treating groups during the evening's supernatural activity.
"Hey there," Emmett called gently, his protective instincts immediately engaged. "Are you lost?"
The little girl, perhaps six years old and dressed as a fairy princess with wings drooping from Halloween snow, looked up with eyes that held more curiosity than fear despite being alone in darkness that had recently hosted bone collector manifestations.
"I saw the pretty lights," she said with the matter-of-fact tone children used for impossible observations. "The big shadow creature made them when it changed from scary to nice."
"You saw Grimjaw transform?" Maddox asked with surprise, kneeling to bring himself closer to her eye level.
"Uh-huh," she nodded enthusiastically. "It was like fireworks but better. And now it's protecting everyone instead of being mean."
The child's casual acceptance of supernatural transformation proved that Hollow Oak's youngest residents possessed the kind of natural openness that made miraculous events feel routine rather than traumatic.
"Where are your parents, sweetheart?" Emmett asked with paternal concern.
"Mommy's at Mrs. Johnson's house," the girl replied, pointing toward the post office where warm light glowed through curtained windows. "She said to wait there if I got lost, but I wanted to see the light show."
As they guided the child toward safety, Maddox realized that her innocent witness testimony could prove more valuable than Elena's sophisticated surveillance equipment. Children's observations carried legal weight precisely because they lacked adult skepticism about impossible events.
"She saw everything," he said quietly to Emmett as they approached Mrs. Johnson's house. "Grimjaw's initial manifestation, Sera's communication, the transformation from threat to protector. Unbiased testimony from someone too young to manufacture false memories."
"Testimony that supports supernatural cooperation rather than weapons development," Emmett agreed with growing satisfaction. "Elena's federal colleagues want evidence of dangerous psychic abilities, but they'll find witness accounts of community protection."
Mrs. Johnson opened her door before they could knock.
"There you are, little one," she said with grandmotherly relief, gathering the child into arms that radiated warmth and safety. "Your mother's been worried sick."
"I saw the light show!" the girl announced with excitement that made the adults smile despite their concerns. "The shadow monster became nice and made pretty colors in the sky!"
"Did it now?" Mrs. Johnson said. "How wonderful. Why don't you tell your mother all about it while I make hot chocolate?"
As they settled the child safely with her family, Maddox felt his phone buzz with a message from Sera: "Federal agents requesting 'voluntary' interviews with community members. Elena's not giving up."
The text confirmed his suspicions about escalating pressure, but it also reminded him that his mate was handling federal harassment with intelligence and determination rather than cowering from government authority.
"Time to go home," he told Emmett, noting how the snow had intensified until it fell in thick curtains that would make surveillance more difficult. "Tomorrow we deal with whatever legal pressure Elena's assembling. Tonight, we celebrate successful community defense."
The walk back to his house felt like victory procession despite ongoing federal threats, and when he found Sera waiting by the fireplace with Ember perched contentedly on her favorite stand, the sight filled him with contentment that transcended political complications.
"How are you feeling?" he asked, sitting beside her on the couch where firelight played across features that had become precious beyond his ability to articulate.
"Tired, satisfied, and ready to complete what we started," she replied.
"What we started?"
"The mating bond," she said simply, meeting his gaze with certainty that proved the evening's success had strengthened rather than complicated their commitment to each other. "I want to belong to you completely, Maddox. Tonight, before Elena's federal pressure creates new complications."
The way she looked at him when she said it, with trust and desire and absolute determination, made him realize that protecting his mate meant more than defending her from outside threats—it meant claiming her so completely that no force on earth could separate them again.