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.

I do that, everything will

going to make things right with her, Kell." My voice softens as I picture Ava's face, those wide blue eyes that so easily sucker-punch me with so many feelings.

if she doesn't want

possibility. Ava and I are meant to be together. I can

I say firmly.

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

half-hard in my jeans. I shift uncomfortably, trying to adjust myself without taking my hands off the wheel.

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

fanned across the pillow as I hover over her. I'd take my time with her, worshipping every curve and valley until she's trembling with need. And when she's right on the edge, begging for release, I'd finally give it

urging the car

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

anticipation building in my gut. I'm so

don't care about the potential war with Blackwood or the dead scout or any of the other bullshit waiting for me back

wolfish grin to my face as I take the exit into town, my heart pounding in

The scent of coffee and old books usually brings a

Fuck. Where is she?

me over with a grim expression. I make my way to her, dodging the mid-morning

her voice strained. "Have

comply, my body tense as I perch on the edge of the chair. "What's going on? Where's

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

clenches painfully in my chest. Ava's missing. I leave on pack business and now

she leave on her

it something

her? Those assholes have been looking for her,