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.

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Lucas: Shocking Return

fall into

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. I’m going to fix

she doesn’t want

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

I say firmly. “I’ll

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 me whenever

she’s near.

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

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Shocking

soft skin under my fingers and tasted her

my

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 existed.

her, worshipping every curve and valley

my cock straining against the confines of my zipper. I press down on the gas pedal, urging the car to go faster. I need to get to Ava now, before I

Kellan’s response before I end the call and toss it onto the passenger

peripheral vision, and

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Lucas: Shocking

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

for me back home. All that matters

about. The thought brings a wolfish grin to my face as I take the exit

come.

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

is

Elkins catches my eye from

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

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Lucas: Shocking Roturn

greets me, her

seat.”

comply, my body tense as I perch on the edge of the chair. “What’s

clasped tightly in front 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 and now she’s gone.

leave on her

something more

found her? Those assholes have

her, like they finally realized what they lost.

voice rough. “I’ve been out of