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. Once

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Lucas: Shocking

fall into

those wide blue eyes that

if she doesn’t want you back?”

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

I say firmly. “I’ll make her see.”

his breath 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

she’s near.

thought 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 I last touched her, since

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Shocking Return

soft skin under my fingers and tasted

on my

claim every inch of her body. I want to bury myself inside her tight heat and make her scream my name until she forgets anyone else ever

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

gas pedal, urging the car to go

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

in my peripheral vision, and I feel a sense

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Shocking Return

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

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

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, my heart

come.

the doors of The Novel Grind, my eyes scanning the cozy interior for any 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

is

Elkins catches my eye

I make my way to her,

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Lucas: Shocking

she greets me, her voice strained.

seat.”

tense as I perch on the edge of the chair. “What’s going on?

of her. “That’s what I was hoping you could tell me. She hasn’t shown up for work in the past couple of days. No call, no explanation. Her

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

on her

is it something more sinister?

Blackwood found her? Those

her, like they finally realized what they lost.

voice rough. “I’ve been out of town for a