A Rude Awakening

Sephora drifted in and out of sleep that night. Eventually waking blurry-eyed next to Ambrose, still sound asleep beside her - his large arms wrapped around her like a protective barrier against them and the world. Here was home, here it was safe and warm. She had never felt so content in all her life than in that moment with her mate's arms around her, sleeping softly, so peaceful.

It was still dark outside and the birds seemed to be squawking up a racket outside, though Sephora was so disorientated from the lack of sleep that she couldn't decipher their songs at all. She slowly turned over in the bed to face the panel of windows, her eyes and ears finally adjusting - when the sights and sounds around her became terrifyingly clear.

A mighty crack exploded from outside, from what might have been the sound of the earth being cleaved in two, followed by a deafening blow of thunder that shook the entire room.

Sephora jerked upright in bed, Ambrose's arm still wrapped around her waist. Sh