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.

down, I take a deep breath, trying to center myself. I know Clayton will be waiting at the airport to personally escort me to the Blackwood pack lands. I can’t let him see the turmoil

to maintain control.

paces restlessly beneath my skin, eager for blood. I clench my fists, my nails digging into my palms as I fight to keep the shift at

growls. She is ours. No one else can

11:28

With Clayton

may look at other

better than to attack another

done. She is not our mate yet.

with her.

my reasoning, but he stops snapping for

shit. Even dealing with Blackwood was easier than all the

heart.

the airport crowds my nostrils as 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

Clayton.

13-20

317

With Clayton

wolf snarls, hackles raising. He

growl back, wrestling my primal

afford to lose it

a mask of calm. But as our eyes meet, I

He knows who Ava is

he greets, his

respond, his name feeling like gravel in my mouth. Anger flares hot in my veins, the urge to lash out, to

her? Why did it have

down, swallowing the bitter accusations. We have more pressing matters to attend to. The Blackwood situation

attention.

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

13.28

Lucas: With

take

you tell me?” I ask, my voice deceptively calm. “As soon as you found out, why didn’t you

me?”

tightening on the steering

soon as I could to help

it in person.”

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

helping this entire time, hasn’t he? There’s no point trying to assign ulterior motives to his actions. We can’t get past this situation if

memory of Ava’s confession

back the shift that threatens to overtake me, I can’t lose

you coming to

13:20 –