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

14:58

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 I do

14:58

2/9

Lucas: Shocking Return

into place.

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

doesn’t want you back?”

Ava and I are meant to be together. I can feel it in

I say firmly. “I’ll make her see.”

I choose to ignore it. He doesn’t have a fated mate connection. He doesn’t understand the pull between us, the raw, primal

she’s near.

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

14:58 •

3/9

Lucas: Shocking Return

soft skin under my fingers

on my

claim every inch of her body. I want to bury myself inside her tight heat and

time with her, worshipping every curve and valley until she’s trembling with need. And when she’s right on

zipper. I press down on the gas pedal, urging the car to go faster. I need to get to Ava now, before I combust from

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

my peripheral

14:58

Lucas: Shocking Return

a few more miles until I’m at Ava’s doorstep, ready to grovel at her feet

the dead scout or any of the other bullshit waiting for me back home. All that matters is Ava and

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,

come.

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 confirms

Where is she?

catches my eye

a grim expression. I make my way to

14:50

Shocking

she 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 of days. No call, no explanation. Her dog is

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

on

is it something

found her?

her, like they

out of town for a few days. Fuck,