Goodbye Cheater Hello CEO’s Wife by Payne Walter

71 Lucas: Preparation

LUCAS

“You’re positive?”

My still–smoldering cigarette is crushed into oblivion within the crystal ash tray, along with twenty of its kin. Smoke is an intrusive guest within the cramped room, swirling around the heads of both deltas standing before me.

Cheap motel rooms aren’t meant to house three large wolf shifter males, but it is what it is.

“Positive,” Ryder reports, cool as a fucking cucumber despite how much is riding on tonight.

The decision to invade Blackwood wasn’t made lightly. Most of the pack fought against the decision, until two more scouts were found dead at the border.

And, most importantly, a witness.

That one was alive, though.

“Council won’t move until we bring the official

petition,” Ryder continues, flipping through the notes

in front of him. “Even so, Silvermoon forces near the

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71 Lucas Preparation

border are confirmed and ready if we call for aid.”

The chair creaks beneath my weight as I lean back, but surprisingly manages to stay together. “With this act of war, Council will have lost its authority, anyway.”

My deltas say nothing. There isn’t much to say–the fact that an alpha is willing to say as much is far beyond their pay grade. Silvermoon has allied with Westwood, and Aspen as well, though Clayton seems to be busy hunting down his own missing mate. It’s an epidemic, and I’m positive it’s all been orchestrated by the Blackwoods to weaken the packs. @

Swaying the chair from side to side, I glance at the ceiling, thinking in between rhythmic creaks. “Ryder, head to Silvermoon. I’ll contact you if we need the reinforcements. Vester, stay with us. You’ll head off any runners from the south. Our goal is to cut off Blackwood’s head today. I don’t want this war going on for years.”

“Understood.”

Lighting another cigarette, I inhale deeply, letting the harsh smoke fill my lungs before exhaling a plume into the stale air. My deltas are on edge, too, but they wait

for my dismissal.

sighted at her family home,

into his

own could be that level of stupid. We know better than to consort with those unwilling to abide by

in order to live

humans.

much of a dumbass. He has little connection with the

Unregistered is nothing to someone who doesn’t care

their lands.

and the witness saved after

attack, we finally have evidence.

we have a reason for

rebuilt in the aftermath,

all convention to declare it without their

shit. I can’t

71 Lucas: Preparation

her from me.

They have no presence in the human cities, and no

with them.

many to settle in these human

Sheer arrogance.

be his downfall

lands, but I’m grateful for it. It’s kept her

through me, fueled by the thought of her being so tantalizingly close after all this time. Tonight,

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71 Lucas: Preparation

me… But I’m not stupid. I can’t force it. If I have to, I’ll

it’s safe and woo her there.

weight again, pondering our next move. The invasion plans are sound, our scouts are in position, and allies await the call to arms. But a part of me bristles at the thought of storming Blackwood lands like some mindless barbarian. There has to be a better way–a surgical strike to extract Ava without shedding

fingers drum against the armrest, a steady rhythm matching the thump of my heart. Renard Blackwood is a sly old bastard, that much is certain. He wouldn’t keep Ava close without good reason. Is there a secret behind her? Something I have yet to learn? Why else bring an

knowing more about

my chest, and my wolf snaps at the

his mate safe.

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71 Lucas: Preparation

need

more than five. We’re going in quiet, just you and me at the front. The rest will hang back as support. Once we have her safe, the plan will move

My deltas aren’t too scared to run their mouths, but they know I have a short fuse when it comes to my mate. “You want to go in alone? With all due respect, alpha, that’s a hell of a risk.”

further. This has to be clean, precise. In and out before Blackwood even knows we’re there. We don’t know what that fucking bloodsucker did when she was brought in, either.”

we can proceed

this world.”

in reluctant agreement. They know the lengths I’ll go to for her–have seen

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71 Lucas: Preparation

name is uttered.