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.

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Lucas: Shocking

fall into

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

she doesn’t want you back?”

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

firmly. “I’ll make

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

she’s near.

her again has me half–hard in my jeans. I shift uncomfortably, trying to adjust

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Lucas: Shocking

soft skin under my fingers and tasted her

on my tongue.

inch of her body. I want to bury myself

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

urging the car to go faster.

the phone, not waiting for Kellan’s response before I end the call and toss

my peripheral vision, and I feel a

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Lucas: Shocking Return

until I’m at Ava’s doorstep, ready

don’t care about the potential war with Blackwood or the dead scout or any of the other bullshit waiting for me back home. All that matters is Ava and earning her forgiveness. S~ᴇaʀᴄh the

that steamy reconciliation I’ve been fantasizing about. The thought brings a wolfish grin

come.

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 around the seating area

Where is she?

catches my eye from her

I make my way to

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Lucas: Shocking Roturn

greets me, her voice strained. “Have

seat.”

as I perch on the

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

in my chest. Ava’s missing. I leave on pack

on her own?

it something

Blackwood found her? Those assholes

like they finally realized what they

out