019

The absence screamed betrayal, and Wyatt's anger burned hot within him, uncertainty biting at his thoughts. Hazel's defiance, running from his mansion, took him by surprise. He threw her journal across the room in frustration.

"Wyatt, calm down. There must be a reason for this. She wouldn't act without cause," Ruben tried to reason, but Wyatt's anger clouded his judgment.

"Take her scent and lead the way," Wyatt commanded, his tone unyielding. Ruben, without a word, started to track her scent, leading them to the pottery house.

"She ran through the woods," Ruben reported. Wyatt's hand clenched into a fist. The recklessness of Hazel's actions, knowing that rogues lurked nearby, fueled his frustration.

"How long has she been here?" Wyatt questioned Miss Antonio, seeking every detail.

"How long do you think it'll take for her to reach the highway through the woods?" Wyatt questioned, impatience seeping into his tone.

Ruben considered the route, responding, "It's a longer path. I estimate