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

her, Kell." My voice softens as I picture Ava's face, those wide blue eyes

doesn't want you

air, but I refuse to consider the possibility. Ava and I are meant to be together. I can feel it in my bones, in

say firmly. "I'll

that sounds suspiciously like "stubborn asshole," but I choose to ignore it. He doesn't have a fated mate

without 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

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

Ava spread out on my bed, her blonde hair 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

confines of my zipper. I press down on the gas pedal, urging the car to

not waiting for Kellan's response before I end the call and toss

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

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

reconciliation I've been fantasizing about. The thought brings a wolfish grin to my face as I take

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

Fuck. Where is she?

table, waving me over with a grim expression. I make my way

greets me, her voice strained.

my body tense as I perch on the edge

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, no explanation. Her

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

leave on her

is it

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