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.

desk, pacing the length of my office like a caged beast. The cool air brought in by an open

need

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

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Realization

clear. Kellan nods, his expression grim. He understands the

behind the Blackwood Pack’s actions, like we have a thousand times. But this time, I let my mind linger on Ava. On

aloud, my eyes focused on something beyond the walls of this room. “A way to force a mate connection, to manipulate the bond

I met Ava that night, I didn’t sense anything unusual. No hint of artificial

manipulation.”

face him. “She probably applied it in the

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see? Lure me in, make me believe there’s a connection, and

seemed strained. The way they interacted, the tension between them, wasn’t faked. It didn’t feel

united front.”

grimace. “Exactly. And that’s why it’s even more likely. Think about it, Kellan. If Ava’s relationship with her father is rocky, she’d be even more desperate to prove herself, to earn his approval. Sacrificing herself, using her body as a tool to further their agenda…

hadn’t considered that angle. It

sort of sense.” Sᴇaʀ*ᴄh the (F)indNƟvᴇl.ɴet website on Gøøglᴇ to access

away, my hands curling into fists at my sides. The thought of Ava being used in such a way, of her willing participation in this deception, fuels the

growl, my voice low and dangerous. “The Blackwood Pack

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won’t let them destroy everything

We all do. We’re behind you, Lucas. We’ll keep a close eye on

show them what happens when they try to mess with

turn to face the window, my 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 who they’re dealing with. I will uncover the truth, no

matter the cost.

***

door jolts me awake, scattering the papers strewn across my desk. I blink, trying to clear the fog

call out, my

Thorn. He enters the room, his posture stiff and his expression guarded. I can sense his unease.

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