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.

her home. Once I do that, everything

14:58

2/9

Lucas: Shocking Return

fall into

I picture Ava’s face, those wide blue eyes that so

she doesn’t want you back?”

to consider the possibility. Ava and I are meant to be together. I can feel it in

I say firmly. “I’ll make her see.”

asshole,” but I choose to ignore it. He doesn’t have a fated mate connection. He doesn’t understand the pull between

she’s near.

the thought of seeing her again has 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 touched her, since

14:58 •

3/9

Lucas: Shocking Return

skin under my fingers and

my

bury myself inside her tight heat and make her scream my name until she forgets anyone else ever existed.

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

straining against the confines of my zipper. I press down on the gas pedal, urging the car to go faster. I need to get to Ava now, before I combust from the sheer force of my desire.

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

peripheral vision, and I

14:58

Lucas: Shocking

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

All that matters is Ava and earning her forgiveness. S~ᴇaʀᴄh the Find_Nøvel.ɴet website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters

maybe I’ll even get that steamy reconciliation I’ve been fantasizing about. The thought brings a wolfish grin to my face as I

come.

the cozy interior for any sign of Ava. The scent of coffee and old books usually brings a sense of comfort, but today it only fuels my anxiety. She’s not behind the counter, and

is

catches my eye from her

my way to her, dodging the mid–morning

14:50

Shocking Roturn

me, her voice strained. “Have a

seat.”

as I perch on the edge of the

I was hoping you could tell me. She hasn’t shown up for work in the

painfully in my chest. Ava’s missing. I leave on pack business and now

leave on

something

her?

for her, like they finally realized what

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