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.

to bring her home. Once I do

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Shocking

fall into

Ava’s face, those wide blue eyes that so easily sucker–punch me

she doesn’t want you

the air, but I refuse 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.”

He doesn’t have a fated mate connection. He doesn’t understand the pull between us, the raw, primal need

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

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Shocking Return

under my fingers and tasted her

on my tongue.

want to bury myself inside her tight heat and make her scream my

with her, worshipping every curve and valley until

now, my cock straining against the confines of my zipper. I press down on the gas pedal, urging the car to go faster. I need

the phone, not waiting for Kellan’s response before

Cedarwood” sign flashes by in my peripheral vision, and I feel a sense of anticipation

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Lucas: Shocking

until I’m at Ava’s doorstep, ready to grovel at her feet if that’s what it

other bullshit waiting for me back home. All that matters is Ava and earning her forgiveness. S~ᴇaʀᴄh the Find_Nøvel.ɴet website

I’ll even get that steamy reconciliation I’ve been fantasizing about. The thought brings a wolfish

come.

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 counter, and a quick glance

Where is she?

eye from her usual table,

a grim expression. I make my way

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Lucas: Shocking

greets me, her voice strained. “Have

seat.”

body tense as I perch on the edge of the chair.

her. “That’s what I was hoping you could tell me. She hasn’t shown up for work in the past couple

missing. I leave on pack business

she leave on

it something more

her?

like they finally realized what

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