Page 13 of Furever Bound
The way she discussed supernatural manifestation as research opportunity rather than community crisis made his protective instincts flare with anger. Elena's academic perspective on the situation felt predatory in ways that threatened everything he was trying to protect.
"This isn't a research opportunity," he said, his wolf leaking into his voice. "It's a potential threat to real people who deserve better than being treated like test subjects."
"Since when do you prioritize emotional considerations over scientific advancement?" Elena's laugh carried sharp surprise. "The Maddox I knew would never let personal feelings compromise objective analysis."
The observation hit uncomfortably close to truth, especially when his feelings for Sera had indeed begun influencing his professional judgment in ways that would have been unthinkable six months ago.
"People change," he said, ending the call before Elena could probe deeper into his motivations.
But three hours later, she was standing in his study doorway with designer luggage and the kind of academic determination that suggested she'd invited herself regardless of his preferences.
"You look terrible, darling," Elena observed, studying his appearance with calculating interest. "Stress-related insomnia from dealing with manifestation phenomena, or emotional complications from working too closely with amateur researchers?"
Her ability to read his situation with uncomfortable accuracy made Ember hiss from her perch, the phoenix's immediate hostility confirming his own instinctive dislike of Elena's presence.
"Your pet seems less than welcoming," Elena noted, maintaining careful distance from Ember's aggressive posture."Though I suppose territorial behavior is natural when outsiders threaten established dynamics."
"What do you want, Elena?" he asked, too tired from Council emergency sessions and manifestation monitoring to maintain diplomatic politeness.
"I want to help resolve a potentially dangerous situation before someone gets hurt," she replied, settling into the chair that had become Sera's without invitation. "And I want to prevent a talented colleague from destroying his career over misplaced romantic attachment."
The casual assumption that his feelings for Sera represented professional liability made his wolf snarl with barely contained rage, especially when Elena's motivations for involvement remained suspiciously unclear.
"My career is fine," he said, though the Council's ultimatum about supernatural revelation suggested otherwise.
"Is it?" Elena pulled out a tablet loaded with research that looked suspiciously thorough for someone who'd learned about their situation hours ago. "Because from my preliminary analysis, you're dealing with manifestation patterns that could expose this entire community if not properly contained."
Her knowledge about community exposure risks felt far too specific for purely academic interest, and Maddox realized he'd made a critical error in contacting someone whose true agenda he'd never properly understood.
"How much do you know about Hollow Oak's supernatural community?" he asked directly, abandoning diplomatic subtlety in favor of honest assessment.
"Enough to recognize that your documentarian represents a significant security risk," Elena replied smoothly. "Humans with latent psychic abilities who trigger manifestations unconsciously tend to attract exactly the kind of attention that supernatural sanctuaries work very hard to avoid."
The clinical way she discussed Sera's abilities and their community's secrecy confirmed his worst fears about Elena's true motivations for involvement.
"She's not a security risk," he said, his protective instincts overwhelming political caution. "She's someone who deserves honest answers about what's happening to her."
"Honest answers that could expose everyone here if she reacts poorly to supernatural revelation?" Elena's tone carried the kind of academic ruthlessness that treated individual welfare as acceptable loss for larger objectives. "How well do you really know this woman, Maddox? What guarantees do you have that she won't document everything and share it with her substantial social media following?"
The question hit vulnerabilities he'd been trying not to examine too closely. His mate recognition and growing emotional attachment to Sera felt certain, but their relationship remained too new to predict how she'd respond to discovering that half the town transformed under full moons.
"I know her well enough," he said, though Elena's skeptical expression suggested his confidence sounded hollow even to himself.
Elena moved to examine his folklore collection with obvious interest. "From what I've observed, she approaches everything through the lens of content creation and audience engagement. How long before supernatural revelation becomes just another story to monetize?"
"That's not who she is," he replied, though Sera's career as an influencer did complicate questions about discretion and documentation ethics.
"Perhaps not intentionally," Elena agreed with diplomatic condescension. "But unintentional exposure can be just as damaging as deliberate revelation."
Before he could respond, Elena's phone rang with an incoming call. She glanced at the screen and smiled with satisfaction that made his stomach clench with dread.
"Perfect timing," she said, answering with professional enthusiasm. "Dr. Vasquez speaking... Yes, I'm in position to begin assessment... Absolutely, preliminary documentation is already underway."
The one-sided conversation he could overhear suggested Elena was reporting to someone about their situation, confirming his suspicions that her involvement extended far beyond academic curiosity.
"Assessment for whom?" he demanded when she ended the call.
"Colleagues who take a professional interest in supernatural manifestation patterns," Elena replied vaguely. "Organizations that understand the importance of proper containment when folklore becomes substantial enough to pose security risks."
