Page 8 of Furever Bound (Hollow Oak Mates #7)
MADDOX
T he emergency Council meeting had been called after Emmett's latest patrol report revealed the first concrete manifestation signs: temperature drops following specific geometric patterns, electronics failing in expanding zones, and most concerning of all, residents reporting dreams that matched historical Grimjaw encounters with disturbing accuracy.
"The entity is beginning to take shape," Varric said, his raincloud eyes reflecting the gravity of their situation. "Three days of concentrated attention have given it enough substance to influence local conditions."
"Concentrated attention from whom?" Elder Bram's pale eyes fixed on Maddox with uncomfortable intensity. "Has the human woman's documentation escalated beyond simple observation?"
Maddox fought to keep his expression neutral despite the way his wolf bristled at any implied threat to their mate. "Sera's research has been conducted under strict protocols. No recording of sensitive materials, no sharing of specific details without context."
"Yet the manifestation patterns coincide precisely with her arrival and research activities," Bram observed coldly. "Correlation suggests causation."
"The supernatural disturbances began before her arrival," Maddox replied, grateful for the timeline he'd established in his reports. "Her presence may be focusing existing energy, but she didn't create the initial conditions."
"Focus can be as dangerous as creation," Maeve Cross interjected from her position against a moss-covered boulder. "If she's amplifying dormant folklore through unconscious ability, we need to understand her potential impact."
The discussion of Sera's supernatural sensitivity made Maddox's protective instincts flare with barely controlled intensity. His mate was being evaluated as a potential threat by forces she didn't even know existed, and his inability to defend her without revealing too much felt like torture.
"Has she shown signs of supernatural awareness beyond normal human intuition?" Miriam asked, her tone of someone gathering information rather than making accusations.
"She's... perceptive," Maddox admitted carefully. "Her questions about folklore consistency suggest intuitive understanding that goes beyond academic analysis."
"Intuitive understanding or latent psychic ability?" Varric's question carried weight that made the temperature in the glade seem to drop.
"I'm still assessing her capabilities," Maddox replied, though the truth was that Sera's abilities were manifesting more clearly each day.
Her instinctive recognition of Ember's nature, her immediate comfort with supernatural concepts, the way electronics seemed to respond differently around her—all of it pointed toward sensitivity that could prove either invaluable or dangerous.
"Assessment needs to accelerate," Bram said with typical bureaucratic coldness. "We can't afford to let unknown variables develop unchecked while manifestations strengthen."
"She's not a variable," Maddox said, his agitation leaking into his voice despite efforts to remain diplomatically neutral. "She's a person who deserves honest answers about what's happening around her."
The sudden silence that followed his outburst made him realize how much of his personal investment he'd just revealed. Varric's knowing look suggested the elder had suspected emotional complications from the beginning.
"Personal attachment?" Bram's tone carried disapproval sharp enough to cut. "To a human who may be catalyzing supernatural threats to our community?"
"Professional interest," Maddox lied, though his wolf's snarl at the dismissive tone made the falsehood feel like betrayal. "She has legitimate research value beyond manifestation concerns."
"Professional interest doesn't typically produce defensive responses to community safety protocols," Maeve observed with the sharp intelligence that made her an effective Council guard. "Are we dealing with academic collaboration or romantic complication?"
The direct question hung in the air like a blade, and Maddox found himself caught between protecting Sera's privacy and defending their developing relationship to supernatural authorities who might view human attachment as liability rather than asset.
"We're dealing with someone who could be crucial to resolving the manifestation crisis," he said, choosing honesty about her potential importance while avoiding direct admission of mate recognition.
"Her abilities are still developing, but she's already demonstrated instinctive understanding of supernatural concepts. "
"Then bring her to the next meeting," Varric decided with the kind of authority that ended discussions. "If she's developing abilities that affect our community, she needs to understand what she's dealing with."
"She's not ready for full supernatural revelation," Maddox protested, his protective instincts raging against the thought of exposing Sera to political scrutiny she wasn't prepared to handle. "Human minds don't typically adjust well to discovering shapeshifter communities exist."
"Then make her ready," Varric replied. "Because ready or not, she's already involved. The question is whether she becomes part of the solution or remains an unconscious catalyst for escalating problems."
"And if she can't handle the truth?" Bram's question carried implications that made Maddox's blood run cold.
"Then we implement alternative solutions," Varric said with the kind of euphemistic language that didn't disguise underlying threats. "But we exhaust educational approaches before considering more drastic measures."
The meeting dispersed with the efficiency of people accustomed to crisis management, leaving Maddox alone in the glade with Ember and the weight of impossible choices.
His phoenix settled onto his shoulder with warm comfort while her telepathic presence offered sympathy for the political complications surrounding their mate.
"Two weeks," he told Ember, who listened with the grave attention of someone who understood implications. "Varric's giving me two weeks to make her understand without terrifying her into fleeing."
Ember's response carried images of Sera's growing comfort with supernatural concepts, her natural acceptance of phoenix companionship, the way she'd adapted to their academic partnership without questioning the unusual elements she encountered.
"She's stronger than they think," he said, though his wolf paced with anxiety about exposing their mate to supernatural politics before she understood what she was agreeing to join.
"But strength doesn't prepare someone for discovering that half their research subjects transform under the full moon. "
His phone buzzed with a text from Sera: "Found something interesting in the historical records. Can we meet earlier tomorrow? I think there might be patterns we're missing."
The message complicated emotions. Her genuine enthusiasm for the research that was endangering her, her trust in him to provide honest answers he wasn't ready to give, her unconscious movement toward discoveries that could either save or doom them all.
"She's finding connections we hoped she'd find," he told Ember as they prepared to leave the glade. "But every breakthrough brings her closer to truths that could shatter everything if revealed too quickly."
His phoenix's response suggested that some truths were too important to delay indefinitely, especially when the alternative was allowing unconscious manifestation to spiral beyond anyone's control.
The walk back to town felt like preparing for war, though Maddox wasn't sure whether he was fighting supernatural manifestation, Council politics, or his own heart's demand to claim and protect the woman who had become the center of everything he hadn't known he needed.