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 that, everything

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Shocking Return

into place.

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

she doesn’t want

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

will,” I say firmly. “I’ll

under his breath that sounds suspiciously like “stubborn asshole,” but I choose to ignore it. He doesn’t have a fated

she’s near.

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

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Lucas: Shocking Return

soft skin under my

on my

to bury myself inside her tight heat and make

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 give it to her, thrusting

the gas pedal, urging the car to go faster. I

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

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

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Shocking

a few more miles until I’m at Ava’s doorstep,

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

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

come.

usually brings a sense

Where is

catches my eye from her usual

over with a grim expression. I make my way to her, dodging the mid–morning

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Shocking

she greets me, her

seat.”

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

you could tell me. She hasn’t shown up for work in the past couple of days. No call, no explanation. Her

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

she leave on her own?

it something more sinister?

found her?

her, like they finally realized

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