**
"What do you mean you lost track of her?" Kaito's brows drew together in frustration. He had been following Angela's scent through the woods when Alex called him. Thinking his beta was in danger, he rushed to him, only to find it was about his incompetence instead.
"I tried to stop her from leaving, but she vanished when I turned back and…" Alex's voice trailed off.
Kaito pressed his palms over his face, the smell of burnt fur clinging to his skin. He forced himself to push it aside and focus on the fading trace of his mate. Her scent was no longer where he expected it. He thought she had gone west, but it was clear now that she had drifted far into the south.
"Forgive him, Alpha. This is my fault," Stales said with his head bowed, unable to meet Kaito's eyes. Shame weighed heavy on his shoulders.
