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,

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Lucas: Shocking Return

fall into

voice softens as I picture Ava’s face, those wide blue eyes that so easily sucker–punch me with so many feelings. “I’m finally making progress. I’m going to fix this.”

doesn’t

I are meant to be together. I can feel it in my bones, in the way my wolf howls

firmly. “I’ll

that 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 consumes

she’s near.

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

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3/9

Shocking

skin under my

my tongue.

to bury myself inside her tight

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

pedal, urging the car to go faster. I need to get to Ava now, before I combust from the sheer force of

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

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

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Lucas: Shocking Return

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

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 Find_Nøvel.ɴet website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of novels early and in the highest

reconciliation I’ve been fantasizing about. The thought brings a wolfish grin to my face as I take the exit into town,

come.

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 around the seating area confirms she’s not

Where is she?

my eye

grim expression. I make my way to her, dodging

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Lucas: Shocking

me, her voice strained.

seat.”

my body tense as I perch on the edge of the

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

missing. I leave on pack business and now she’s gone.

she leave on

is it something more sinister?

her? Those assholes

looking for her, like they finally realized what they lost.

don’t know where she is,” I admit, my voice rough. “I’ve been out of town