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.

need to bring her home. Once I

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Shocking

fall into place.

to make things 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 feelings. “I’m finally making progress.

doesn’t want you

the possibility. Ava and I are meant to be together. I can feel

say firmly. “I’ll make her see.”

asshole,” but I choose to ignore it. He doesn’t have a fated mate connection. He doesn’t understand the pull between

she’s near.

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

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Shocking Return

soft skin under my fingers and tasted

on my

beneath me, writhing and moaning as I claim every inch of her body. I want to bury myself inside her tight heat and make

hover over her. I’d take my time with her, worshipping every curve and valley until she’s trembling with need. And when

on the gas 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 call

Cedarwood” sign flashes by in my peripheral

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Lucas: Shocking

in my gut. I’m so close now, just a few more miles until I’m at Ava’s doorstep, ready to grovel at

home. All that

a wolfish grin to my face as I

come.

scanning the cozy interior for any sign of Ava. The scent of coffee and old books usually brings a sense of

Where is she?

eye from

grim expression. I make my way to her, dodging the mid–morning rush of

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Lucas: Shocking Roturn

her voice

seat.”

body tense as I perch on the edge of

her. “That’s what I was hoping you could tell me. She hasn’t shown up for work in the past couple

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

leave on her own?

is it something

her? Those assholes have

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 for a few days. Fuck, I should have