Tangled

53 Clayton: His Mate

CLAYTON

The elevator dings and the doors slide open, revealing the penthouse lobby of the Silvermoon Pack’s largest hotel. I step out, my boots sinking into the plush carpet. Xavier and Lucas are already there, lounging on the leather couches like a pair of lazy lions.

“Clayton!” Xavier booms, rising to his feet. He clasps my hand in a firm shake, clapping me on the back with his other hand. “Good to see you, my friend.”

“You as well, Xavier.” I return his hearty greeting with a grin. “Lucas, always a pleasure.”

Lucas stands, his smile not quite reaching his eyes as we shake hands. There’s a tension in his shoulders, a tightness around his jaw. Something’s weighing on him.

We settle into the couches, the city skyline glittering beyond the floor–to–ceiling windows. Xavier leans back, crossing his ankles. “How were your flights, boys? No troubles, I hope?”

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53 Clayton His Male

I shake my head. “Smooth sailing for me. No sᴇaʀᴄh thᴇ FindNʘᴠᴇl.nᴇt website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

disturbances.”

Lucas’s mouth presses into a grim line. “I wish I could say the same. Got another report of a dead scout right after I landed.”

The air in the room shifts, the jovial atmosphere evaporating like mist under the morning sun. Xavier’s brows knit together. “Shit. Blackwood?”

“Who else?” Lucas growls, his fingers curling into fists on his knees. “He’s getting bolder, pushing further into

our territory.”

I lean forward, elbows on my knees. “What’s your game plan, Lucas? We can’t let this stand.” The Blackwood alpha has been a massive thorn in the

Northwestern Council’s side for years. There have been several scuffles between the two packs, but

Blackwood has even had run–ins with shifters outside

of the Northwestern Territories.

Lucas drags a hand down his face, his eyes hard as flint. “I’m working on it. But every time I think I’ve got a handle on their moves, they slip through my fingers like smoke. I can’t get my hands on solid proof to bring

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Clayton: His

to the Council.”

grave. “Without evidence to bring to the Council, my hands are tied.”

this a Council affair. There are other options.” They’re

can see his exhaustion in the droop of his shoulders and the shadows under his eyes. “We sent Jessa Grey back to her pack. We used the official excuse that she hadn’t asked for approval and was an unregistered guest in our territory,

more, too.”

lean forward, my eyes locked on Lucas as he takes a deep, steadying breath. There’s a weight in the air, a tension that goes beyond the usual strain of pack politics. This is something more, something

words hanging heavy

shocked silence falls over the room.

r’s

eyes

words have robbed him of speech. I can only stare at

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Clayton: His Mate

process this

mate?” I echo, my voice hushed. “You’ve found

“Yeah. We met at the Lunar Gala a few months back.” A rueful smile tugs at the corners of his

unmated wolves gathered in hopes of finding their other half. I haven’t gone in years. To think

she?” Xavier asks, leaning forward.

ours?”

jaw tightening. “She’s from the Blackwood pack. Ava Grey.”

me. The Blackwood Pack has always been shrouded in secrets, their motives inscrutable. To have one of their

ד דו

did this happen?” I ask my mind whirling.

12

49

Clayton: His

Renard sanction this?”

been sending Jessa after Kellan instead of me. I’m too dangerous to keep around, even mated.” He looks down at his hands with a sigh. “I wish I’d thought about that

looks at Lucas, a knowing glint in his eyes. “You rejected her, didn’t you?” His question isn’t a question.

“Yeah. We’re working on reconciling. I left for a few days to deal with stuff at

gone.”

the air as Lucas finishes

his words settling over us. I can see the anguish in his face, the torment in his eyes. My gut

it would shatter me. The mere idea of her being ripped away is enough to make my wolf howl in agony. He’s obsessed with her, and I have to admit that I am too. We don’t have a fated connection, but

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Clayton: His

I don’t want to let go.

pushing the thought away

consume me.

Lucas,” I say, my voice firm with conviction. “The Aspen Pack stands

your arms.”

full support, brother. The Silvermoon Pack will lend whatever aid is required to bring your mate home. Ava’s a good child, very different from her family and alpha. You’re

can’t lose her again. It took a long time to

arches.