Tangled in Moonlight: Unshifted (Ava and Lucas)

Chapter 127 Lucas: The Dark Side of Alpha

LUCAS

I'm going to hell.

I'm going straight to hell on a VIP plane.

Pressing a soft kiss against my phone screen after Ava hangs up isn't why.

Having a raging boner from the sound of her little laugh? That's not why, either… exactly.

But what deranged psychopath gets hard from listening to their mate while slicing body parts off a corpse?

Granted, he's still groaning a little, so he isn't a corpse yet. But he's close.

"Did you fix the chainsaw?"

"Got it working again." Vester holds it up, its teeth gleaming wetly in the dim light. The damn sound of it starting up again had almost ruined my conversation with my mate.

I nod, tearing my gaze away from the screen, Ava's sweet laughter still echoing in my ears. "Let's get this done, then."

The knife clatters onto the tray as I set it aside. I barely remember picking it up, so distracted by the sound of my mate's voice. Her presence lingers, a phantom touch against my cheek. But reality crashes back in as I survey the mess on the floor.

I kick at his head, to the side in a glistening pool of blood. His eyes stare blankly, mouth slack. He stopped screaming a while ago, his healing abilities no match for Vester's ruthless blade, but even so, the occasional groan comes out. He should have been dead already, but his body hasn't realized it yet, still trying to fight the pain.

Fucking Blackwood spy. Thought he could infiltrate my borders, gather intel for that snake Renard. Not on my watch.

We aren't usually into dismembering, but it has its place.

"What's the plan for all these bits and pieces?" Vester asks, wiping his hands on a rag that's more red than white.

rumbles in my chest. "We're going to spread Renard's little spy all around the perimeter of the Unregistered city. Let him catch a whiff of his

nods. "Sending

tension. It's been a long night. Weeks, really. Ever since Ava escaped her family's

I miss her. It eats at me, being away from her. Hearing her voice, that sweet laughter... it's a balm and a curse, soothing my ragged edges while stoking the fire in my veins. I want

Ava needs

think I can finally feel the fruits of that sacrifice. She's no longer so distant. If all it takes is letting her go to to the occasional

picking up her call, even during

startling me out of my brooding thoughts. "I'll get

there, watching my back, ready to do what needs doing. Even the ugly shit. "Sounds good." Hopefully Ava

it is—she's going to live

places

at his mouth. "You're thinking about her again, aren't you? You should go, before you start writing love poems

there's no heat in it. He's not wrong. Ava twists me up inside, makes me

to be a better man.

what pain I've brought into her life? I feel like the lowest scum

this nightmare a long time ago. Would have been, if I hadn't been

least we're finally getting to be on the

at a severed foot, I curse the erection that has yet to go down. You'd think the

scent. All I can see is her gorgeous face and the way she pulls her bottom lip in when she's worried. How her face changes when she smiles. How she

Damn. Fuck. I'm insane.

I be thinking like

I've got it bad.

little laugh of hers, to realize her walls had come down, and my body had surged straight toward memories of that

Fuck.

I have a problem.

go to her, my wolf whines. Aside from bloodthirsty tendencies, he doesn't care about anything except Ava and Selene. He's been somewhat soothed

Damn it.