#Chapter 46: Lost Girls

Elara Alaric’s voice cut through the quiet hotel lobby like a whip. “How could you lose them, James?” His tone was low and sharp, trembling with the kind of righteous Alpha anger that made even me shrink back. “You had one job, and you failed.” James stood there, pale and visibly shaking, his eyes darting between us. “I-I… I didn’t mean to, Alpha. They were playing in the lounge. Everything was fine! And then Ella just… bolted.” He gulped audibly, his hands twisting together. “Zoe ran after her, and before I could get them both to stop…” His voice cracked. “I lost them in the chaos from the raid.” Panic clawed its way into my chest. “They ran off?” I choked out. “James, how could you let them out of your sight?” He opened his mouth to speak, but Alaric’s furious growl silenced him. “Do you have any idea what could happen to them?” Alaric’s fists were clenched so tightly that I swore I heard his knuckles crack. “This hotel was just crawling with criminals, and yo