Tangled

Chapter 25

26 Lucas: Watching

Chapter 26: Lucas: Watching

LUCAS

Her scent dances around me. Every breath I take fills my lungs with the sweet, honey and vanilla notes that have haunted my dreams since that fateful night at the Lunar Gala. Ava. Just the thought of her name sends a shiver down my spine.

For weeks, I’ve been watching her from the shadows, unable to resist the pull of her presence. The need to be near her has consumed me, driving me to break into her apartment just to bask in the lingering traces of her essence. I’m a desperate man, lost in the throes of an obsession I can’t explain nor control.

As I stand before her now, my wolf howls with

unbridled joy inside my head, reveling in her proximity. Part of me had hoped that the fact she didn’t run when she realized I’d found her meant something more. An acknowledgement of the connection that binds us

together.

But as her gaze meets mine, devoid of any emotion, I

1/9

20 Lucas: Watching

feel the weight of disappointment settle heavily in my chest. She regards me with the same polite

indifference she would show any other customer, and the realization stings like a slap to the face.

Leaning over the counter, I can’t help but ask, “How have you been? Are you okay?” The words tumble out, laced with concern and a hint of desperation that I can’t quite mask.

For a fleeting moment, I see her falter, a crack in her impassive facade. But it’s gone as quickly as it appeared, and she meets my gaze with a cool

detachment that cuts deeper than any blade.

“I’m sorry, sir, but I need you to order or step aside for

the other customers.”

if our shared moment in the garden never happened,

demand that she acknowledges the bond that ties us together. But the words stick in my throat as

2/9

26 Lucas: Watching

is nod mutely and order something random off

through me. My wolf yips and whines. My mate, he howls, and I can only apologize

isn’t in our arms, after

hips as she leans over to grab a mug, the way her delicate fingers curl around it–it’s all I can do to tear my eyes away, even for

twists in my gut as her coworker approaches her, an easy grin plastered across his face. My wolf snarls within me, hackles raised as he watches the exchange, bristling at

reserved for me

over there and rip him away from her is overwhelming, my fists clenching at

14:47

3/9

26 Lucas: Watching

nose breaking beneath my knuckles. It would be so easy,

put him in his place and remind him that Ava is

my nails digging crescents into my palms as I wrestle with the animalistic impulses raging within me. I can’t afford to do anything that might jeopardize what little chance I have of winning

head back with a laugh, basking in the warmth of Ava’s attention. Every fiber of my being screams at me to intervene, to stake my claim and remind her of the bond we share,

It’s as if I’m invisible to her, a ghost haunting the periphery of her world, unable to break through the barrier she’s

hours of staring at the woman I want more than anything, an older woman approaches me with

14:47 –

26 Lucas: Watching

a way

lifetime spent laughing. “Good morning,” she greets

shake my head, offering her a polite smile in return.

nods, but doesn’t move to leave, her gaze drifting over to where Ava is chatting with the dickhead behind the counter. There’s a knowing look in her eyes as she regards me, one that makes me

my seat.

tone casual but laced with a hint of protectiveness.

to deny any knowledge of her,

honest.

I admit quietly. “But I’m afraid I’ve done something terrible to her, and I’m not sure how to make it

she doesn’t press me for

5/9

26 Lucas: Watching

chair across from me and settles into

made a mistake,” she

than just a mistake. I…” I trail off, swallowing hard as the

The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

Comments ()

0/255