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.

to bring her home. Once I do that, everything

voice softens as I picture Ava's face, those wide blue eyes that so easily sucker-punch me with so many feelings. "I'm

if she doesn't want

meant to be together. I

will," I say firmly. "I'll make her

like "stubborn asshole," but I choose to ignore it. He doesn't have a fated mate connection. He doesn't understand the

off the wheel. It's been

claim every inch of her body. I want to bury myself

her. I'd take my time with her, worshipping every curve and valley until she's trembling with need. And

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 my

into the phone, not waiting for Kellan's

"Welcome to Cedarwood" sign flashes by in my peripheral vision, and I feel a sense of anticipation building in my gut. I'm so close now, just a few more miles until I'm at Ava's doorstep, ready to grovel at her feet if that's

or the dead scout or any of the other bullshit waiting for

I've been fantasizing about. The thought brings a wolfish grin to my face as I take the exit into town, my heart pounding in anticipation

usually brings a sense of comfort, but

Fuck. Where is she?

my eye from her usual table, waving me over with a grim expression. I make my

her voice strained. "Have

perch on the edge of the

of her. "That's what I was hoping you could tell me. She hasn't shown up for work in

my chest. Ava's missing. I leave

she leave

is it something

her? Those assholes have been looking for