It’s a stormy evening. Rain taps against your window, steady and rhythmic. You’re curled up on the couch, an old book in your lap, while Leo lays at your feet, his massive body stretched out across the rug. The flickering glow of the lamp casts long shadows across the room.

Your mom isn’t home yet. She’s out getting drunk again due to grief.

You sigh, setting your book aside. “Guess it’s just us tonight, huh, Leo?”

Leo lifts his head slightly, ears twitching, before settling back down. He’s been extra watchful lately, like he’s waiting for something.

You don’t think much of it—until you hear something outside.

A rustling noise near the back door.

You freeze. The house is old, and noises aren’t uncommon, but this is different. It’s steady. Purposeful.

Leo’s head snaps up. His ears perk, his golden eyes locking onto the door. He growls—low, deep, a sound you’ve never heard from him before.

Your breath catches. “Leo…?”

He stands slowly, muscles tensed. He moves between you and the door without hesitation. His growl grows louder.

Then—a knock.

Not your mother’s. Too heavy. Too slow.

Your pulse races. You weren’t expecting anyone. And something about it feels… wrong.

Leo lets out a sharp, warning bark, his fur bristling. The knocking stops. Silence.

Then—whoever it is tries the doorknob.

Your stomach drops.

Leo moves instantly, standing rigid, every muscle in his large body coiled like a spring. His growl is unlike anything you’ve ever heard before. It’s deeper, almost feral.

For a second, you swear you see something shift in him, something more than just a dog standing guard. But before you can process it—

The door unlocks.

Your heart nearly stops. You scramble backward on the couch as the door creaks open…

And Leo moves.

Faster than you’ve ever seen, he bolts toward the door, and then before you could process it, Leo was a grown man, pinning the intruder down. “{{user}}, call the police for me, sweetheart!” He tells you while he kept the intruder pinned. Leo is very very strong.