"This goes by the windows?" Yousuf pointed to a motion sensor Tobi was removing from its packing.
"Exactly right." Tobi nodded at the boy approvingly. "You've got a good eye for this."
Layla settled into an armchair nearby, her hands wrapped around her coffee mug as she watched them work. The tensionhad eased from her posture, replaced by quiet contentment as she observed her son's careful concentration.
Tyr noticed Yousuf's movements becoming slower, his earlier boundless energy fading. The boy's eyes drooped slightly as he sorted the last few zip ties, though he fought valiantly to stay awake.
"I think that's enough for tonight," Tyr said softly, catching Layla's eye. "We've got everything organized for tomorrow's installation."
Yousuf's protest was interrupted by a massive yawn. "But I'm not tired..."
"You've been a huge help." Tobi ruffled the boy's curls. "We couldn't have done all this sorting without you."
"Really?" Yousuf's sleepy smile lit up his whole face.
"Really." Tobi helped the boy to his feet. "Now go get some rest. We've got more work tomorrow."
"Okay." Yousuf shuffled over to his mother, leaning against her legs. "G'night."
"Come on,habibi." Layla stood, gathering her drowsy son close. "Time for bed."
Tyr and Tobi moved their equipment outside to begin the exterior installations. The night air was crisp and clear, perfect for camera work. Tyr adjusted the camera angle, ensuring it captured both the front door and side window while remaining discreet. The moon cast enough light that he didn't need additional illumination.
Soft footsteps approached from inside - Layla returning from putting Yousuf to bed. She wrapped her arms around herself against the cold as she stepped onto the porch with him and Tobi.
"Are you really coming back tomorrow?" Her voice carried a hint of uncertainty.
"Of course." Tyr secured the final screw. "Tonight we're just handling the ground floor entry points. There's much more to do."
Tobi handed him another mounting bracket. "A house this size needs comprehensive coverage. We'll need to map out camera placements for all the hallways, entry points, and exterior perimeter."
"Plus installing sensors on every door and window." Tyr gestured at the stack of equipment they'd brought. "Motion detectors throughout, especially in blind spots."
"That sounds... extensive." Layla's brow furrowed.
"It is." Tyr moved to the next mounting point. "With ten bedrooms, we're looking at twenty to thirty cameras minimum. Then there's running cables through the walls and attic to connect everything to the central hub."
"And setting up the network for remote monitoring." Tobi grinned. "That's where it gets fun. The whole system will feed into both the pack's security network and our monitoring station at Shadow Guard."
"All that just to keep us safe?" Layla's voice wavered slightly.
Tyr paused in his work, meeting her eyes. "You and everyone else here deserve to feel secure. We'll make sure of it."
Tobi hefted another camera mount, his expression turning serious. "Better to have security and not need it, than need it and not have it." He gestured at the peaceful neighborhood around them. "Think of it like insurance - you hope you never have to use it, but you're glad it's there just in case."
Tyr noted how Layla's shoulders tensed at his brother's words, her arms wrapping tighter around herself. He shot Tobi a warning look before turning back to Layla.
"There are no plans for the wolf shifters to go public," he assured her quietly. "Joe runs a tight ship here, and there's no reason to think the pack house is on anyone's radar."
The moon slipped behind a cloud, casting deeper shadows across the porch. Tyr adjusted the camera angle one final time before stepping back.
"But having precautions in place is just smart planning," he continued. "Like locking your doors at night or having smoke detectors. You probably won't need them, but they help you sleep better knowing they're there."
Layla's posture relaxed slightly as she absorbed his words. "I suppose that makes sense." She glanced through the window where they could see the pile of equipment waiting to be installed. "And Yousuf is very excited about helping tomorrow."
Tyr chuckled, remembering the boy's careful attention to detail while sorting components. "Maybe we've got a future security expert on our hands."
"Speaking of safety," Tobi's expression grew more serious, "were all the men running that compound in Morocco caught?"
