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.

going to spread Renard's little spy all around the perimeter of the Unregistered city.

nods. "Sending a

on to him." I roll my shoulders, trying to dispel the tension. It's been a long night. Weeks, really. Ever since Ava escaped her family's

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 to be there, watching over her as she heals, holding her close. Not here, elbow-deep in some

Ava needs

I think I can finally feel the fruits of that sacrifice. She's no longer so distant. If all it takes

picking up her call, even during

of my

needs doing. Even the ugly shit. "Sounds good." Hopefully Ava never hears of these

going to live in

places like

again, aren't

escapes me. "Fuck off. You make me sound like a serial killer or something." But there's no

want to be a better man. For her. For

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

long time ago.

we're finally getting to be on the same

a severed foot, I curse the erection that has yet to go down. You'd think the overpowering smell of blood, metallic in the back of my throat,

is her gorgeous face and the way she pulls her bottom lip in when she's worried. How her face changes when she

Damn. Fuck. I'm insane.

I be

I've got it bad.

walls had come down, and my body had surged straight toward memories of

Fuck.

I have a problem.

to her, my wolf whines. Aside from bloodthirsty tendencies, he doesn't care about anything except Ava and Selene. He's been somewhat soothed since we'd made love on the hospital

Damn it.