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.

elusive mate has been sighted at her family home, under guard at all times. Further, that idiot alpha brought

into his territory.

have never believed one of our own could be that level of stupid. We know better than

forth in order to live in

humans.

truly that much of a dumbass. He has little connection with the humans in

is nothing to someone who doesn’t

their lands.

the witness saved

finally

we have a reason for war. Reasons that

be rebuilt in the

to declare it without

don’t have time for that shit. I

71 Lucas: Preparation

her from me.

heart of his pack lands. They have no presence in the human cities, and

with them.

their rank would have allowed so many to settle in these

Sheer arrogance.

be his

I’m grateful for it. It’s kept her

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

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71 Lucas: Preparation

I’m not stupid. I can’t force it. If I have

it’s safe and woo her there.

await the call to arms. But a part of me bristles at the thought of

certain. He wouldn’t keep Ava close without good reason. Is there a secret behind her? Something I have yet

thought of others knowing more about her than me, her mate…

soft growl builds up in my chest, and my wolf snaps at the air in my mind. He’s on edge.

his mate safe.

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71 Lucas: Preparation

plans need to change.

growl, stubbing out my cigarette with more force than necessary. My newest delta straightens his shoulders. “Prepare a small team–no more than five. We’re going in quiet, just you and me at

My deltas aren’t too scared to run their mouths, but they know I have a short fuse when it comes

her will, a full–scale invasion will only endanger her further. This has to be clean, precise. In and out before Blackwood

safe, we can proceed to wipe

this world.”

both nod in reluctant agreement. They know the lengths

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71 Lucas: Preparation

her name