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.

"Sending a

we're 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 clutches, it's been a constant game of cat and mouse, trying

laughter... it's a balm and a curse, soothing my ragged edges while stoking the fire in my veins. I

needs her

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

was worth picking up her call, even

claps me on the shoulder, startling me out of my

my back, ready to do what needs doing. Even the ugly shit. "Sounds good." Hopefully Ava never hears of these sordid details, the

is—she's going to live in peace. In innocence and

places

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

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

be a better

knowing what pain I've brought into her

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

finally getting to be on the

go down. You'd think the overpowering smell of blood, metallic in the

right now is the smell of Ava's unique 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 moans when I touch her,

Damn. Fuck. I'm insane.

can I be

I've got it bad.

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

Fuck.

I have a problem.

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

Damn it.