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 place.

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

doesn’t want you back?”

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

firmly.

sounds suspiciously like “stubborn asshole,” but I choose to ignore it. He doesn’t have a fated mate connection. He doesn’t understand the pull between us, the raw, primal need that

she’s near.

trying to adjust myself without taking my hands

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Shocking

soft skin under my fingers and

my

of her body. I want to bury myself inside 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

my cock 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,

go,” I grunt into the phone, not waiting for Kellan’s response before I end

“Welcome to Cedarwood” sign flashes by in my peripheral

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Lucas: Shocking

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 it

with Blackwood or the dead scout or any of the other bullshit waiting for me back home. All that

about. The thought brings a wolfish grin

come.

usually brings a sense of comfort, but today it only

is

my eye from her usual table,

over with a grim expression. I make my

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Shocking Roturn

her voice strained. “Have

seat.”

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

clasped tightly in front of her. “That’s what I was hoping you could tell me. She hasn’t shown up for work in the past couple of days. No call,

Ava’s missing. I

leave on her own?

is it something more sinister?

her? Those assholes have

her, like they finally

out of town