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

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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

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Shocking Return

into

those wide blue eyes that so easily sucker–punch me with so many feelings. “I’m finally making progress. I’m

she doesn’t want you back?”

Ava and I are meant to be together. I can feel it in my bones, in the way my wolf howls

firmly. “I’ll make

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

she’s near.

jeans. I shift uncomfortably, trying to adjust myself without taking my hands off the wheel. It’s been months since I last touched her,

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Lucas: Shocking Return

my fingers and tasted her

on my tongue.

writhing and moaning as I claim every inch of her body. I want to bury myself inside her tight heat and make her scream my name until she forgets anyone

I hover over her. I’d take my time with her, worshipping every curve

down on the gas pedal, urging the car to go faster. I need to get to Ava

response before

peripheral

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Shocking

my gut. I’m so close now, just a few more miles until I’m at Ava’s doorstep, ready to grovel at her feet if that’s what

home. All that matters is Ava and earning

if I’m lucky, maybe I’ll even get that steamy reconciliation I’ve been fantasizing about. The thought brings a wolfish grin to my face as I take the exit into town, my heart

come.

doors of The Novel Grind, my eyes scanning 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

is

catches my eye from her

grim expression. I make my way to

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Shocking

greets me, her voice strained. “Have a

seat.”

as I perch on the edge

tell me. She hasn’t shown up for work in the past couple

in my chest. Ava’s missing. I

she leave on her

is it something

her?

they

don’t know where she is,” I admit, my voice rough. “I’ve been out of