Page 38 of Furever Bound (Hollow Oak Mates #7)

SERA

E lena stood on their front porch with the kind of professional composure that barely concealed frustrated determination, her expensive coat dusted with November snow and her expression carrying the brittle politeness of someone whose carefully laid plans had encountered unexpected obstacles.

"Maddox, Ms. Quinn," she said with bureaucratic formality that made Sera's newly enhanced protective instincts bristle with territorial irritation.

"I hope you don't mind the early visit, but federal investigation protocols require immediate follow-up interviews regarding last night's supernatural manifestation. "

"We mind," Sera replied bluntly, noting how Elena's gaze sharpened with calculating interest as she assessed their body language for signs of them being intimate.

"Unfortunately, federal authority doesn't require consent for investigations involving national security threats," Elena countered with the kind of legal intimidation that had probably worked on previous targets who lacked supernatural community support.

"National security threats?" Maddox's alpha authority leaked into his voice despite obvious efforts to remain diplomatically neutral. "You mean the successful transformation of a dangerous manifestation into community protection?"

"I mean documented evidence of an individual with psychic abilities capable of manifesting and controlling supernatural entities," Elena replied with clinical precision that reduced last night's miraculous cooperation to federal threat assessment.

"Abilities that constitute significant military applications regardless of current benevolent usage. "

The way she discussed Sera's gifts as military weapons made both of them tense with protective fury that resonated through their completed bond, creating feedback loops of anger that amplified their individual responses.

"Ms. Quinn," Elena continued, apparently noting their synchronized reaction with academic interest, "federal psychiatric evaluation has determined that your recent experiences may have created trauma responses that require professional intervention."

"Psychiatric evaluation?" Sera's voice rose with indignation. "You've had me psychologically assessed without my knowledge or consent?"

"Federal protocols for individuals exhibiting supernatural abilities include comprehensive mental health screening," Elena explained with bureaucratic language that made involuntary psychiatric hold sound like helpful medical care.

"Particularly when those individuals demonstrate signs of dissociation, reality distortion, or delusional attachment to supernatural phenomena. "

"Delusional attachment," Maddox repeated with dangerous calm that made the temperature on the porch seem to drop several degrees.

"The belief that folklore manifestations can be reasoned with, that supernatural entities possess consciousness compatible with human communication, that psychic abilities should be used for community benefit rather than national defense," Elena listed with clinical detachment that proved she understood exactly how insulting her implications were.

"All of which were proven accurate last night," Sera pointed out with sharp intelligence that cut through Elena's academic posturing. "Grimjaw was successfully transformed through communication and cooperation, not force or containment."

"Grimjaw's apparent transformation could be temporary manifestation fluctuation rather than permanent behavioral change," Elena countered with academic skepticism designed to undermine their success.

"Federal monitoring is required to ensure public safety if the entity reverts to dangerous patterns. "

"Federal monitoring that conveniently justifies permanent oversight of our entire community," Maddox observed with scholarly precision that identified Elena's true agenda.

"Oversight of a community that has been concealing supernatural activity from appropriate authorities," Elena confirmed without apologizing for the surveillance state she was proposing. "Activity that could pose significant risks if exploited by hostile entities."

"The only hostile entities we've encountered are federal agents who treat cooperation as threat and community protection as weapons development," Sera said with growing anger that made her psychic abilities resonate with protective energy.

"Speaking of which," Elena continued with professional efficiency that suggested she'd been building toward this moment, "federal warrants have been issued for your immediate protective custody, Ms. Quinn.

Your safety and the safety of others requires supervised evaluation of your psychic capabilities. "

"Imprisonment."

"Absolutely not," Maddox said with alpha finality that made Elena step back slightly despite her federal authority.

"I'm afraid the choice isn't yours to make," Elena replied with regretful determination. "Federal agents are positioned throughout the community, and resistance to lawful custody could result in charges that affect more than just Ms. Quinn's future."

The threat to the entire community disguised as legal procedure made Sera's protective instincts flare with fury that sent psychic energy crackling through the November air in visible patterns of gold and silver light.

"How many agents?" Sera asked with practical intelligence that proved she was considering tactical options rather than simple compliance.

"Enough to ensure cooperation," Elena said.

Sera felt Maddox's calculation of defensive options, his protective rage at the threat to their sanctuary, and his growing certainty that federal acquisition attempts had reached the point where community safety required active resistance rather than diplomatic negotiation.

"Elena," Sera said with determined calm, "you're making a fundamental error in your assessment of this situation."

"Which is?"

"You're assuming I'm an isolated individual whose abilities can be separated from the community that enables them," Sera replied with growing confidence in her own power and position.

"But my psychic gifts are connected to Hollow Oak's supernatural energy, supported by community bonds that transcend federal authority. "

"Community bonds that include an eight-foot supernatural guardian whose transformation you documented but apparently didn't understand," Maddox added with predatory satisfaction.

As if summoned by their conversation, Grimjaw's massive form emerged from the forest behind Elena's position, its bone antlers gleaming with protective fire while its presence radiated ancient power that federal training hadn't prepared agents to handle.

"The creator will not be taken," Grimjaw declared with supernatural authority that made the air itself vibrate with power. "The community will not be threatened. The protection I was given, I now give in return."

Elena's professional composure finally cracked as she realized her carefully planned federal acquisition had become exponentially more complicated by supernatural forces that didn't recognize bureaucratic authority.

"This isn't over," she said with bureaucratic determination that proved federal pressure would continue regardless of immediate tactical failures.

"No," Sera agreed with certainty. "It's not. But neither are we."