Semua Bab Detective Casie Blackwood and the Moonlit Secrets: Bab 21 - Bab 30

They dressed quickly, the urgency of the situation overriding any awkwardness that might have existed between new mates. Their bonds hummed with shared purpose, and their movements unconsciously synchronized as they ascended the stone steps back to the cabin. The scene that greeted them was chaos. Marcus stood at the cabin's threshold, flanked by his sons, all of whom had shifted partially into battle form. Through the windows, Casie could see vehicles approaching—sleek black SUVs that didn't belong to her family. "Fenris," Liam growled, his eyes glowing with lupine fury. "Eight vehicles, at least twenty pack members." But what struck Casie most wasn't the approaching threat—it was her father. Marcus Blackwood stood taller, his shoulders squared, and the frailty that had

"One that Detective Blackwood and O’Connor will find out tomorrow when you see your Captain. I think we’ll be seeing each other again very soon.” Councilor Thorne stated crypticity. A chill ran down Casie's spine. "What does our Captain have to do with this?" "Captain Mendoza is one of us," Councilor Thorne said, her ancient eyes twinkling with amusement. "Has been for decades. Did you really think your placement in his precinct was coincidence, Detective Blackwood?" Rick made a strangled sound beside her. "Mendoza is a werewolf?" "Not exactly," Thorne replied. "Let's just say he serves as our liaison to human law enforcement in matters that cross boundaries." 

"We should get going," Casie said, standing reluctantly. "It's a two-hour drive back to the city, and we all need to... process before this meeting." The goodbyes were emotional but mercifully brief. Elena hugged her daughter fiercely, then surprised both Rick and Nathaniel with maternal embraces that left them looking slightly stunned. Marcus shook hands with both men, his grip conveying both welcome and warning. "Take care of each other," he said simply. "The bond is strongest when all sides are equal." Elias offered to drive them back to the city, and soon they were heading down the winding forest road, leaving the cabin and its momentous events behind. In the backseat, Casie found herself sandwiched between her mates, their physical presence both comforting

"The mate bond naturally leads to offspring," Nathaniel explained, his tone matter-of-fact despite the intensity of the subject. "Especially with a Luna of Casie's bloodline. The pack will expect—" "The pack can expect whatever it wants," Rick interrupted, his protective instincts flaring. "We're not breeding stock." Nathaniel's eyes flashed with surprise, then something that might have been respect. "You're right. I apologize. I'm still thinking in terms of pack politics rather than personal choice." The shower shut off down the hall, and both men automatically turned toward the sound. Through their bonds, they could feel Casie's emotional state—cleaner but still overwhelmed, drawing strength from their presence even at a distance.

Forty minutes later, they stood outside Captain Mendoza's office, all three dressed professionally: Casie in her usual detective attire, Rick in the spare clothes she'd kept for him, and Nathaniel in an impeccably tailored suit that made him look every inch the successful businessman.Through the frosted glass, they could see Mendoza's silhouette as he spoke on the phone. When he noticed them waiting, he waved them in without ending his call."Yes, Councilor. They've just arrived." Mendoza's voice held none of the deference Casie might have expected from someone addressing a supernatural authority. "We'll proceed as discussed."He hung up and studied the three of them with new intensity. Captain Rafael Mendoza had always been an imposing figure—mid-fifties, built like a former athlete who hadn't entirely lost his edge, with shrewd eyes that missed nothing. Now, knowing what he represented, Casie saw him differently—not just as her commanding officer, but as someone who had been guidin