"How did a siphon end up bonding with four alpha shifters?" she asks. "Your kind typically align with covens."
I feel Rowan move behind me, his steady presence a comfort at my back.
"My previous coven arrangement ended." I keep my voice neutral. "The pack needed a Bonded. Our magical signatures were compatible. It seemed like a mutually beneficial arrangement."
Guess Villeneuve hasn't ratted us out to the university. Interesting.
"Hmm." Another note on the clipboard. "And the bond has been fully established?"
"Yes. Last night, during the new moon."
"Without faculty supervision or official witnesses?"
"Professor Villeneuve was present for the ritual," I say quickly. "He provided assistance with some of the more complex elements."
Ms. Morgan's pen pauses again. "Villeneuvesupervised your bonding?"
"He did."
Her eyes widen slightly. Respect or wariness? Maybe both.
"I see."
She makes several more notes, her pen scratching across the paper in quick, efficient strokes. The silence lingers, filled only by the distant sound of water running in the kitchen where Rowan apparently left the tap on.
Shit.
"This situation is highly irregular," Ms. Morgan finally says, looking up. "Your pack has been on probation for two semesters. The Dean has received multiple complaints about property damage, noise violations, and what appears to have been an incident involving the campus sprinkler system and an alcoholic beverage."
"That was never proven," Sean mutters.
Ms. Morgan ignores him. "Additionally, the failure to secure a Bonded within the prescribed timeframe has put Lupe Tau at risk of dissolution."
My stomach tightens. I knew the wolves were under pressure, but hearing it laid out so…bluntly… makes the stakes feel more real.
"With respect, Ms. Morgan," I say carefully, "the pack now has a Bonded. The core requirement has been met."
"Met without following proper procedure." She taps her pen against the clipboard. "The paperwork alone will take weeks toprocess. Background checks, magical compatibility verification, registration with the Council..."
"We'll expedite everything on our end," I promise. "I've dealt with Council bureaucracy before. I know what they need."
Technically, I did the paperwork while Kyle took the credit, but I'm not volunteering that.
"Do you?" Her gaze sharpens. "I suppose we'll see."
Another long moment of scrutiny. Then Ms. Morgan closes her clipboard with a snap that makes Sean flinch.
"Very well." She rises from the armchair, smoothing her cement-colored jacket. "I suppose we can grant Lupe Tau an additional week to come into full compliance. All paperwork must be submitted by next Friday. No exceptions."
Relief floods through the bond from all three directions. I keep my expression neutral.
"Thank you, Ms. Morgan. We appreciate your flexibility."
"Don't thank me yet, Ms. Cook." She pauses at the doorway, turning back with an expression that suggests she's about to deliver bad news. "You'll still need a faculty sponsor, of course. Someone willing to take official responsibility for the pack during their probationary period."
The relief evaporates.
"A faculty sponsor," I repeat carefully.
