Tangled in Moonlight: Unshifted (Ava and Lucas)

Chapter 44 Lucas: Shocking Return

LUCAS

The highway flies by in a blur of white lines and endless pine forests as I grip the steering wheel tightly with one hand, the other holding a cigarette I shouldn't be having. I quit smoking a long time ago, but the past forty-eight hours have been hell.

I didn't get to see Ava for a couple days after flying out when I got the news that our scout was murdered, his body hanging between the Blackwood and Westwood territories. I don't even know what Ava thought of my note taped to her dining table, explaining that I'd be back as soon as I could.

Is she grateful I'm not there? Or is she missing me?

My cell phone is pressed between my ear and shoulder while I shout into it in between puffs of the cancer-causing burn stick I've been craving for the past twenty miles.

"I don't give a flying fuck, Kellan," I growl, cutting off his protest. "I'm not leaving Washington for the next three days, so don't even fucking think about calling me back there."

"Lucas, come on. The Blackwoods—"

"Aren't going to do anything first." My jaw clenches as I take a sharp turn, tires screeching. "You know they're trying to bait us into the first move. We have no proof the Blackwoods killed him. Until we do, we can't do shit. And since we can't do shit, I need to see Ava."

"You're playing a dangerous game, Alpha." Kellan's sigh crackles through the speaker. "If Blackwood finds out you're sniffing around Grey's daughter..."

"He'll what? Start a war?" I let out a harsh laugh. "He won't alienate his allies. He's hoping they'll help him when the war comes. He won't take the first step."

"It changes everything and you know it."

I can practically hear Kellan's disapproved frown. He's been frustrated, saying my obsession with Ava keeps me too far from the pack and the issues going on there.

He's not wrong, but nothing is more important than my mate.

need to bring her home. Once I do that, everything will

those wide blue eyes that so easily sucker-punch me with so many feelings. "I'm finally making progress. I'm going

she doesn't want

Ava and I are meant to be

will," I say firmly. "I'll

it. He doesn't have a fated mate connection.

taking my hands off the wheel. It's been months since I last touched her, since I felt her soft skin under my fingers and tasted her sweetness on my

want her beneath me, writhing and moaning as I claim every inch of her body. I want to bury myself inside her tight heat and make her scream my name until she forgets anyone else ever

as I hover over her. I'd take my time with her, worshipping every curve and valley until she's trembling

I'm fully hard now, my cock straining against the confines of my zipper. I press down on the gas pedal, urging the car to go faster. I need to get to Ava now, before I combust from the sheer force of

phone, not waiting for Kellan's response before I end

my gut. I'm so close now, just a few more miles until I'm

about the potential war with Blackwood or the dead scout or any of the other bullshit waiting

if I'm lucky, maybe I'll even get that steamy reconciliation I've been fantasizing about. The thought brings a wolfish grin to my face

through the doors of The Novel Grind, my eyes scanning the cozy interior for any sign of Ava. The scent of coffee and old books usually brings a sense of comfort, but today it only fuels my anxiety. She's not behind the counter, and a quick glance around the seating

Fuck. Where is she?

from her usual table, waving me over with a grim expression. I make my way to her, dodging the mid-morning rush

greets me, her voice strained. "Have a

the edge of the chair. "What's going

Elkins sighs, her hands clasped tightly in front of her. "That's what I was hoping you could tell me. She hasn't shown up for work in the past couple of days. No call,

Ava's missing. I leave

leave on

is it something

found her? Those assholes have been looking for her, like they finally realized