Tangled

18 Lucas: Realization (1)

18 Lucas: Realization (I)

LUCAS

The frost of winter thaws, giving way to the brisk air of spring. The days drag on, each moment blurring into the next as my frustration builds. Weeks have passed since that fateful night at the Lunar Gala, and still, the

Blackwood Pack’s intentions remain shrouded in

mystery, even with summer peeking around the corner. My wolf paces restlessly within me, yearning for answers, for action, for her.

My obsession grows.

I slam my fist on the desk, the impact reverberating through the room. Kellan, ever the loyal beta, barely flinches. He knows better than to disturb me when I’m

like this, consumed by the need to unravel the web of

secrets that surrounds us.

A missive arrived last week from Alpha Blackwood, a terse notification that his beta’s daughter, Jessa Grey, would be attending the local university here in Granite City. The balls on that asshole, sending her into our territory without so much as a proper request for

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18 Lucas: Realization (1)

permission. It’s an unspoken rule among our kind, a courtesy extended to the ruling pack when an outsider plans to stay within their domain.

I can’t help but wonder if this is another ploy, another move in the twisted game that Blackwood seems intent on playing. Jessa’s presence here, so close to the heart of our pack, sets my teeth on edge. What secrets does she carry? What lies will she spin to further her alpha’s agenda?

My thoughts drift naturally to her, the girl who haunts my every waking moment. Ava. The memory of her scent, her touch, the way she surrendered to me in the garden–it’s seared into my very being. And yet, my hatred grows by the day.

my office like a caged beast. The cool air brought in by an open

I need answers.

I bark, my voice slicing through the silence. “I want eyes on Jessa Grey the moment she sets foot in Granite City. I want to know her every move, every breath she takes. And if you find even a whisper of

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Lucas: Realization (1)

He understands the gravity of the situation, the weight that rests upon our shoulders.

us as I once again contemplate the possible motives behind the Blackwood Pack’s actions, like we have a thousand times. But this time, I let my mind linger on Ava. On the garden. On that scent that

something beyond the walls of this room. “A way to force a mate connection, to manipulate the bond between

head. “I don’t know, Lucas. When I met Ava that night, I didn’t sense anything unusual. No hint

manipulation.”

in the garden, knowing I

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Lucas Realization (1)

setup, don’t you see? Lure me in, make me believe there’s a connection, and then use that to gain a foothold in our

in thought. “I suppose that’s possible, but her relationship with her family seemed strained. The way they

united front.”

she’d be even more desperate to prove herself, to earn his approval. Sacrificing herself, using her body as

eyes widen. “I hadn’t

on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of novels early and in the

in such a way, of her willing participation in this deception, fuels the rage that warms my

for anything,” I growl, my voice low and dangerous. “The Blackwood Pack is

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Realization (1)

won’t let them destroy everything we’ve built,

behind you, Lucas. We’ll keep a

try to mess with the Westwood Pack.” There’s no other option.

gaze sweeping over the city that is mine to protect. The Blackwood Pack may be able to hold their secrets, but they have no idea

matter the cost.

***

clear the fog of

I call out, my

door swings open, revealing one of my deltas, Ryder Thorn. He enters the room, his posture stiff and his expression guarded.

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