Tangled

93 Lucas: With Clayton

93 Lucas: With Clayton

LUCAS

Challenge him. Rip him apart.

My wolf’s snarling has occupied the majority of my short flight to White Peak, getting closer to the man who’s tasted my mate in ways that he never should

have.

My phone’s off, because I don’t know what I’ll do if he

calls.

The primal part of me is incensed, wanting to sink my teeth into his throat and tear it out, savoring every drop of the blood that spurts, content in knowing his soul has departed this world.”

But the rest of me recognizes that Clayton is my friend and ally.

What am I supposed to do with all these fucking feelings tripping me up inside? Having Ava back is supposed to make everything easier. Make things simple.

In my absence, will she begin to doubt my words?

15.20

1/7

93 Lucas With Clayton.

If she sees Clayton, would she choose me over him?

I don’t have that confidence.

The fated bond between us is my only advantage. That, and the distance I can maintain between her and the

alpha I trust with the honor of my entire pack.

I can never let her return to Cedarwood.

There’s no way in hell I’ll lose the little advantage I

have.

touches down, I take a deep breath, trying to center myself. I know Clayton will be waiting at the airport to personally escort me

to maintain

an inevitable confrontation. My wolf paces restlessly beneath my skin, eager for blood. I clench my fists, my nails digging into my palms as

She is ours.

11:28

Lucas: With Clayton

Clayton is nothing more than competition. My wolf may look at other alphas

better than to

to be done. She is not our mate yet. We can’t

with her.

reasoning, but he stops snapping for Clayton’s blood, giving me some reprieve

was easier than all the bullshit I have to deal with in my head and

heart.

I exit the terminal, an overwhelming assault on my sensitive nose. Sweat, perfume, fast food–it all mingles into a nauseating miasma that makes me want to gag. But beneath it all, one scent

Clayton.

13-20

317

Lucas: With Clayton

our mate, my wolf snarls, hackles raising. He needs to pay.

it, I growl back, wrestling my primal

afford to lose

mask of calm. But as our eyes meet, I can see it in his face, in the tense set

knows who Ava

his voice

mouth. Anger flares hot in my veins, the

did it have to be

have more pressing matters to attend to. The Blackwood situation

attention.

in strained silence, the weight of unspoken words hanging heavy between us. As we pull out

13.28

Lucas: With Clayton

can’t take

calm. “As soon

me?”

sighs, his grip tightening on the steering

as I could

about it

feels like a slap in the face. Like he isn’t here to get a chance to see her. Like he has

that fickle little bitch, just won’t stop. Clayton really is here to help. He’s been helping this entire time, hasn’t he? There’s no point trying to assign ulterior motives to his

again, the memory of Ava’s confession ringing in my ears. He had his

my eyes, fighting back the shift that threatens to overtake me, I can’t lose control. Not here, not now.

you coming to haln with Blackwood”

13:20 –