Page 30 of Rescued By Four Alphas
Matthews shifts uncomfortably. "We were conducting a perimeter check on the east side of the property."
"All of you? At the same time?" My voice drops to a dangerous growl. "That's not protocol."
"No, sir," Matthews admits. "Johnson stayed at the main gate."
"Clearly that worked out well," Evan says dryly, examining the broken window.
I turn my glare on the rest of the security team. "You're paid to protect this house and everyone in it. Tonight, you failed. Completely."
"Sir, we understand your frustration," one of the younger guards speaks up.
"Do you?" I take another step forward. "Because this happened because you weren't doing your fucking job."
The guards exchange nervous glances. Good. They should be nervous.
"I want to see the security footage," I order. "Now."
"Yes, sir," Matthews nods. "I'll pull it up immediately."
We crowd around the security monitor, and Matthews types rapidly on the keyboard, bringing up multiple camera feeds from the past hour.
"There," Evan points at one of the screens. "There was movement near the north wall."
A figure in a dark hooded sweatshirt moves across the screen. The hood shadows their face completely, and they keep their head down as they approach the house.
"Can you enhance that?" I ask.
Matthews clicks through different angles.
"They knew where our cameras were positioned. Look at how they stick to the blind spots." Evan says.
He's right. The figure is obviously avoiding direct camera contact while still managing to get close enough to the house to throw the brick.
"Shit," I slam my fist on the desk. "This could be an inside job."
"What do you mean?" Matthew asks.
"Whoever this person is, they are someone who knows our security layout well enough to avoid the cameras," I explain. "Someone with access to our system specifications."
Evan's jaw tightens. "I'll run new background checks on everyone with access to the house just in case there has been a new compromise."
"Lock down the estate. No one comes or goes until we identify our traitor."
"Sir?" Matthews looks confused.
"You heard me," I snap. "Activate a full lockdown. Check every inch of the perimeter. I want to know how they got close enough to do this."
Evan heads for the door as Matthew leaves as well. "Excuse me for a while."
I pull out my phone and dial Maxine's number. She answers on the second ring.
"This better be important, Stonefang."
"Hello to you, too, Maxine," I say, stepping into an empty corner for privacy. "I need some information."
Maxine Ridge, Alpha of the Ridges pack, is not someone I call lightly. Our packs have a complicated history, but she has ears everywhere in the shifter community.
"What kind of information?" she asks, her tone softening slightly.
