Page 37 of Furever Bound (Hollow Oak Mates #7)

SERA

T he morning after their claiming brought Sera awake with awareness that felt fundamentally different from anything she'd experienced before.

Through the completed bond, she could sense Maddox's steady breathing, his contentment at her presence, even the way his protective instincts remained alert despite the peaceful atmosphere of their bedroom.

The marking on her hip carried a pleasant ache that reminded her with every movement of the permanent connection they'd forged.

"Good morning, mate," Maddox murmured against her hair, his voice carrying satisfaction that resonated through their supernatural bond.

"Good morning," she replied, marveling at how she could feel his emotions as clearly as her own. "This is going to take some getting used to."

"The bond strengthens over time," he said, his scholarly mind apparently already cataloguing the changes they'd both experience. "Enhanced awareness, emotional resonance, the ability to sense each other's wellbeing across distances."

"And the inability to be separated without psychological distress," she added, remembering his explanations about mate bond permanence.

"Which isn't a problem when neither of us wants separation," he pointed out with logic that made her smile despite the weight of permanent commitment.

November morning light revealed Hollow Oak covered in several inches of fresh snow, transforming the town into a winter wonderland that looked deceptively peaceful.

But Sera's enhanced awareness, amplified by completing their supernatural bond, picked up tension in the community that suggested Elena's federal pressure hadn't ended with Halloween night's retreat.

"Something's wrong," she said, her developing psychic abilities sensing disturbance that went beyond ordinary post-crisis adjustment.

Maddox confirmed, checking his phone for messages that had accumulated overnight. "Elena's escalating legal pressure while staying within bureaucratic guidelines."

The systematic nature of government harassment made Sera more than pissed. These people had become her family, this place had become her home, and Elena's interference felt like invasion rather than investigation.

"What kind of interviews is she still implementing?" she asked, reading over his shoulder as reports came in from various community members.

"Voluntary cooperation requests that become increasingly less voluntary when residents decline to participate," he replied grimly. "Professional documentation of supernatural activity, community organization, individual abilities."

"Building a comprehensive file on everyone who lives here," Sera realized with growing anger. "Elena's creating federal oversight whether we cooperate or not."

"Which is exactly what she intended from the beginning," Maddox said, his voice carrying protective menace that made her very aware of his supernatural nature.

"The manifestation crisis was never the real objective—it was an excuse to establish permanent federal monitoring of supernatural communities. "

The casual way Elena had weaponized her viral content to justify government overreach made Sera feel sick with guilt and fury in equal measure. Her desperate attempt to rebuild her career had provided exactly the evidence federal agencies needed to destroy the sanctuary that had become her home.

"This is my fault," she said quietly, the weight of responsibility settling around her like lead blanket.

"This is Elena's agenda finally revealing itself," Maddox corrected firmly, his protective instincts overriding her self-recrimination through their bond. "She's been looking for excuses to establish federal oversight for years, like Twyla said the other night.”

"Yes, but still, my viral content, my manifestation abilities, my federal attention that exposed an entire community to government scrutiny."

"Your abilities that transformed Grimjaw from a danger to a protector," he countered, gathering her against his chest where she could feel his heartbeat synchronize with hers through supernatural connection.

"Your courage that proved supernatural cooperation benefits everyone rather than threatening national security. "

She felt his absolute certainty that her presence in Hollow Oak had strengthened rather than endangered their community, but guilt continued gnawing at her conscience.

"What do we do?" she asked, studying the messages that painted a picture of federal pressure designed to break community resistance through bureaucratic attrition.

"We protect what matters," Maddox said simply, his voice carrying determination. "Starting with making sure Elena's federal colleagues understand that harassing our residents carries consequences they might not be prepared to handle."

"Consequences like an eight-foot supernatural guardian who's personally invested in community protection?" Sera asked with dark satisfaction.

"Among other things," he agreed with predatory smile that reminded her his nature included more than scholarly intensity.

A sharp knock on their front door interrupted further discussion, and through their completed bond, Sera felt Maddox's immediate shift to tactical alertness as his enhanced senses identified their unexpected visitor.

"Elena," he said grimly. "Alone, but probably not planning to stay that way."

"Then let's go see what our favorite federal investigator wants this time.”