"She's not stalking us. She's evaluating us."
The words hung in the air like a guillotine blade, sharp and waiting.
Marcus pulled up more results—articles, interviews, conference presentations. Dr. Cross had built her career studying families like theirs. Unconventional structures. High-stress dynamics. Children with abilities that required specialized support.
"She's been documenting us," Callum said quietly, his tactical mind already three steps ahead. "For a case study."
"Or a report," Samantha countered, ice creeping into her voice. "To determine if we're fit parents."
The temperature in the room dropped several degrees. Kai's eyes flashed gold, his wolf rising to the surface before he wrestled it back down. "She can't just—"
"She can," Marcus interrupted, still reading, his scholar's mind absorbing every detail. "The Initiative has authority to evaluate any household with supernatural minors. Especially foster situations. Especially families flagged as 'high-risk.'"
