Vaughn's POV
Arlene has been stationed by the front gate for what feels like hours now, her posture rigid as stone. Every instinct I possess screams that something dangerous approaches, but with the pups sleeping upstairs, abandoning my post isn't an option. Someone needs to guard them.
My father picks up on the first ring. "Vaughn? You never call me. What's wrong?"
"Something's happening with Arlene."
"It's three in the morning."
"She's been standing at that gate like a sentinel. Something has her spooked."
"Go bring her inside."
I hesitate. "What if I don't want to?"
Silence stretches between us before he curses. "That's not Arlene anymore. Check your security system. We might have uninvited guests. I'm on my way—"
"She just vaulted over the gate." My blood runs cold watching her fluid movement. "The pups are still asleep upstairs."
"I'm shifting now." The line dies as I watch my mate transform into her wolf form and disappear into the darkness beyond our property line.
