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.”

any warmth or recognition. It’s as if our shared moment in the garden never happened, as if the connection that ignited between us

that she acknowledges the bond that ties us together. But the words stick in my throat as I remember the look on her face

2/9

26 Lucas: Watching

All I can do is nod

brush together, and the spark of our connection floods through me. My wolf yips and whines. My mate, he howls, and I can only apologize to him again.

isn’t in our

is fluid, almost hypnotic, drawing my gaze. The gentle sway of her hips as she leans

face. My wolf snarls within me, hackles raised as he watches the

for

storm over there and rip him away from her is

14:47

3/9

26 Lucas: Watching

imagine the satisfying crunch of his nose breaking beneath my knuckles. It would be

put him in his place and remind him that

raging within me. I can’t afford to do anything that might jeopardize what little chance I have of winning

I watch, and I wait, and I seethe in silence as Carlos throws his head back with a laugh, basking in the warmth of Ava’s attention. Every fiber of my being screams at me to

eyes never turn towards me, not even for a fleeting second. It’s as if I’m invisible to her, a ghost haunting the periphery of her world, unable to break

than anything, an older

14:47 –

26 Lucas: Watching

a way

morning,” she greets me cheerfully. “Can

smile in return.

to leave, her gaze drifting over to where Ava is chatting with the dickhead behind the counter. There’s a knowing look

my seat.

our Ava, don’t you?” she asks, her tone casual but laced with a

contemplate how to respond. Part of me wants to deny any knowledge of her, knowing she’s probably told these people nothing. But there’s something

honest.

something terrible to her, and I’m

eyebrows rise, but she doesn’t press me

5/9

26 Lucas: Watching

and settles into it, her expression one of patient

is recognizing that you’ve made a mistake,” she says sagely. “That’s more than a

me, it was more than just a mistake. I…” I trail off, swallowing hard as the memories

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

Comments ()

0/255