Waking the Alpha
Logan was standing in the living room, half-transformed, muscles tense, eyes sharp, his gaze shifted to Marcus's mother.
Logan: "Can I wake him up? He needs to know I've brought her."
Ms. Lane: (hesitates, then nods) "Yes… just be careful, Logan. He's still tired."
Logan's jaw tightened and he padded silently upstairs with a low growl. The door to Marcus's room creaked open.
Logan: (low, firm) "Marcus. Wake up. I've got the detective."
Marcus stirred beneath the blankets, his eyes blinking groggily. His mind slowly registered the voice; alertness sparked.
Marcus: (sitting up) "…Logan? You… you got her?
Logan nodded, his face serious.
Logan: "Yes. She's here. No trouble, but you need to see her."
Marcus swung his legs over the side of the bed, rubbing his eyes. "Alright." He rose to his feet, feeling the residual strength in his body from the full-moon training and regeneration not so long ago.
Coming Downstairs
The two of them walked down the stairs in silence. Marcus's mother looked over as he passed.
Ms. Lane: "Marcus… I hope you know what you're doing. Be careful."
Marcus: (nodding) "I will, Mom."
He spotted Detective Han So-Ra sitting in the living room, her hands folded in her lap, her blue eyes alert even in the dim lighting. Logan stepped back a bit, standing near the doorway, his gaze on both of them.
Marcus approached his mother.
Marcus: "Mom… can we talk in my room for a moment?"
Ms. Lane: (curious but trusting) "Of course, honey. Just be careful."
Marcus led the way upstairs, leaving Logan and the detective in the living room. It was one of those strange, tense moments-the kind that only occurred when monsters and humans came so close that the power of each other was a palpable thing.