Kael’s POV

“Daniel,” I said, my voice slicing through the thick silence, “there’s a reason we have phones. If someone like Elena walks into this pack, and I’m not there—” I slammed my fist on the damn table. Hard. The wood shuddered under the force. “—you send me a swift and straightforward text. It’s not rocket science.”

Daniel, ever the composed right-hand, didn’t even flinch. He calmly placed the manila folder he was holding onto the table like I hadn’t just rattled the entire damn building.

“I’m sorry, Alpha Kael. She didn’t—”

“Shut it,” I snapped, lifting a hand before his mouth could butcher more excuses. The milk was already...