Thomas’s pov I paced anxiously in my study, the weight of Lombard's absence pressing heavily on my shoulders. The unyielding silence of unanswered calls left a gnawing unease in the pit of my stomach. I dialed his number repeatedly, each ring exacerbating my growing concern. No response. Frustration and worry intertwined as I slammed the phone down, a visible tremor coursing through my hands. My Gamma, Jopherson, was my next resort. I called him urgently, desperation lacing my voice as I explained the urgency of the situation. He assured me that he would gather a team and head to Lombard's last known location. Minutes stretched into an agonizing eternity as I waited for updates, the silence mocking my impotence. When the call finally came, Jopherson's voice was laced with tension. "