Page 32 of The Right to Bear Claws
"Ah." Magnus nodded with understanding. "The eternal alpha dilemma. How much patience can you stand before your protective instincts overwhelm your good judgment?"
"Something like that."
"For what it's worth, you're handling it right. Rushing a mate bond, especially with someone who's been traumatized and is still learning about our world, is a recipe for disaster."
"Tell that to my bear."
"Your bear will survive a little delayed gratification. Besides, you've got bigger problems to focus on right now." Magnus's expression grew serious. "Halloween's in six days, and if the reports from the Night Guard are accurate, supernatural activity is ramping up all over town."
Elias straightened, grateful for the distraction from his internal struggle. "What kind of activity?"
"Shadows moving wrong, electronic equipment malfunctioning near the lake, residents reporting nightmares so vivid they're waking up exhausted." His father's weathered face creased with concern. "Whatever's hunting your mate is getting stronger."
"Then we'd better make sure our defenses are ready."
They spent the next hour going over the town's protective infrastructure, identifying weak points and planning reinforcements. By the time Finn and Thorin arrived, Elias had a comprehensive list of improvements that would keep him busy for days.
"Well, someone's in a productive mood," Finn observed, studying the detailed plans Elias had sketched out. "These ward reinforcements are pretty sophisticated stuff."
"Halloween's coming," Elias said by way of explanation. "Better safe than sorry."
"Uh-huh." Thorin settled at his own workbench, pulling on work gloves with deliberate movements. "This wouldn't have anything to do with your mate situation, would it?"
"My what situation?"
"Oh, come on." Finn grinned with typical younger brother mischief. "You think we didn't notice you floating around here like you won the lottery? Or the fact that you smell like happiness and... other things?"
"Finn."
"What? I'm just saying, whatever happened last night, it obviously went well. You've got that 'my mate loves me back' glow going on."
Magnus chuckled from across the workshop. "Subtle as a brick to the face, that one."
"I don't glow," Elias protested.
"Brother, you're practically humming," Thorin said with affection. "It's nice to see, honestly. You've been wound tighter than a spring since Kaia arrived."
"I'm still wound tight. Just for different reasons now."
"The claiming bond?"
Elias nodded, grateful his family understood the complexities without him having to explain. "She's not ready yet. Hell, she just learned what mate bonds are yesterday. But my bear..."
"Wants to mark her immediately and damn the consequences," Finn finished. "Yeah, we've all been there."
"How did you handle it?" Elias asked Thorin, who'd gone through his own claiming bond challenges with his mate two years ago.
"Lots of cold showers and aggressive woodworking," his older brother said with a rueful smile. "And reminding myself every five minutes that earning her trust was more important than satisfying my bear's timeline."
"The waiting's the hardest part," Magnus added. "But it's also what makes the bond stronger when it finally happens. She'll know you chose patience over possessiveness, that you respected her autonomy even when your instincts were screaming otherwise."
"Assuming we survive whatever's coming for her."
"We will," Finn said with fierce conviction. "All of us, together. That's what family does."
The simple declaration made something settle in Elias. His mate, his family, his community—everything worth protecting was right here in Hollow Oak. Whatever Tobias thought he could take, he was wrong.
They worked through the day with focused intensity, installing upgraded ward stones around key locations and reinforcing the protective barriers that kept the town hidden from human eyes. Physical labor helped burn off some of Elias's restless energy, but it did nothing to quiet his constant awareness of Kaia's presence across town.
