Tangled

44 Lucas: Shocking Return

44 Lucas: Shocking Return

LUCAS

The highway flies by in a blur of white lines and

endless pine forests as I grip the steering wheel tightly with one hand, the other holding a cigarette I

shouldn’t be having. I quit smoking a long time ago, but the past forty–eight hours have been hell.

I didn’t get to see Ava for a couple days after flying out when I got the news that our scout was murdered, his body hanging between the Blackwood and Westwood territories. I don’t even know what Ava thought of my note taped to her dining table, explaining that I’d be back as soon as I could.

Is she grateful I’m not there? Or is she missing me?

My cell phone is pressed between my ear and shoulder while I shout into it in between puffs of the

cancer–causing burn stick I’ve been craving for the past twenty miles,

“I don’t give a flying fuck, Kellan,” I growl, cutting off his protest. “I’m not leaving Washington for the next three days, so don’t even fucking think about calling

14:58

44 Lucas: Shocking Return

me back there.”

“Lucas, come on. The Blackwoods-”

“Aren’t going to do anything first.” My jaw clenches as I take a sharp turn, tires screeching. “You know they’re trying to bait us into the first move. We have no proof the Blackwoods killed him. Until we do, we can’t do shit. And since we can’t do shit, I need to see Ava.”

“You’re playing a dangerous game, Alpha.” Kellan’s sigh crackles through the speaker. “If Blackwood finds out you’re sniffing around Grey’s daughter…”

“He’ll what? Start a war?” I let out a harsh laugh. “He won’t alienate his allies. He’s hoping they’ll help him when the war comes. He won’t take the first step.”

“It changes everything and you know it.”

I can practically hear Kellan’s disapproved frown. He’s been frustrated, saying my obsession with Ava keeps me too far from the pack and the issues going on

there.

He’s not wrong, but nothing is more important than

my mate.

bring her home. Once

14:58

2/9

Lucas: Shocking

fall into place.

Kell.” My voice softens as I picture Ava’s face, those wide blue eyes that so easily sucker–punch me

if she doesn’t want

question hangs heavy in the air, but I refuse to consider the possibility. Ava and I are meant to

will,” I say firmly. “I’ll

ignore it. He doesn’t have a fated mate connection. He doesn’t understand the

she’s near.

me half–hard in my jeans. I shift uncomfortably, trying to adjust myself without taking my hands off the wheel. It’s been months since I last

14:58 •

3/9

Lucas: Shocking

skin under my fingers and tasted

on my tongue.

of her body. I want to bury

in my chest as I imagine it: Ava spread out on my bed, her blonde hair fanned across the pillow as I hover over her. I’d take my time with her, worshipping every curve and valley until she’s trembling with need. And when she’s right on the edge, begging for release, I’d finally give it to her,

press down on the gas pedal, urging the car to go faster. I

I grunt into the phone, not waiting for Kellan’s response before I end the call and toss it onto the passenger seat.

by in my peripheral vision,

14:58

Lucas: Shocking Return

few more miles until I’m at Ava’s doorstep, ready to grovel at her feet if that’s

or any of the other bullshit waiting for me back home. All that

been fantasizing about. The thought brings a wolfish grin to my face as I take the

come.

of Ava. The scent of coffee and old books usually brings a sense of comfort, but today it

is

eye from her usual table,

expression. I make my way to her, dodging the mid–morning

14:50

Lucas: Shocking

me, her voice

seat.”

the edge of the chair.

her hands clasped tightly in front of her. “That’s what I was hoping you could tell me. She hasn’t shown up for

missing. I leave on pack business and now she’s

she leave on her

something

her? Those

for her, like they finally realized what they

where she is,” I admit, my voice rough. “I’ve been out of town for a few days.