~ASHTON~

I felt a surge of anger and frustration directed at myself. I shouldn't have been so consumed with worry about Hazel, especially considering my mate was right beside me, seeking a rare moment of solitude away from the chaos. It irked me that my thoughts kept drifting back to my step-sister's safety. Despite her reassurance and the limited training sessions we had together, I still harbored concerns about her ability to handle any unforeseen dangers that might come her way.

It ...