THE VOW OF SHADOW KENNELS

"Run!" Marcus roared, shoving Sarah behind him.

Marcus lunged at Thomas, using his heavy tactical flashlight to strike the younger man’s arm. The gun went flying, clattering across the gravel lot.

"Marcus?!" Silas gasped, recognizing his former colleague. "You're supposed to be in retirement, you old fool!"

"You always were a parasite, Silas!" Marcus yelled, tackling Thomas to the ground.

Sarah didn't hesitate. She ran toward the transport van parked near the gate. Inside, she could hear a frantic, heavy scratching and a low, desperate whine.

"Rex! I'm here!" Sarah cried, reaching the back doors. They were locked with a heavy padlock.

"Hey! Drop the keys!" a voice shouted behind her.

It was one of Silas’s security guards, his taser raised.

Before the guard could fire, a tiny, furious scream echoed from Sarah’s car. Leo had woken up. Seeing his mother in danger, the toddler had crawled out of his car seat and opened the door, standing on the asphalt, his tiny face red with anger.

"No hurt Mama!" Leo screamed, throwing a small plastic toy at the guard.

The distraction was only a second, but it was enough. Sarah grabbed a heavy iron tire iron from the back of her SUV and swung it with all her might, striking the guard’s arm. The taser discharged into the wet ground.

At that exact moment, Marcus managed to throw Silas into the office wall, knocking him unconscious. He ran over, grabbing the keys from the guard's belt and tossing them to Sarah.

"Open it!" Marcus yelled.

Sarah unlocked the padlock, throwing the heavy steel doors open.

Rex exploded outward. He didn't run away. He jumped down, his massive body shielding Sarah and Leo, his chest heaving, his eyes burning with a fierce, protective light.