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.

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 raging inside me. I

to maintain

a losing battle. Every step I take through the terminal feels like a countdown to an inevitable confrontation. My wolf paces restlessly beneath my skin, eager for blood. I clench my fists, my nails digging into my palms as I fight to keep the

ours. No

11:28

Lucas: With

at other

usually knows better than to attack another

mate

with her.

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

with Blackwood was easier than all the bullshit I

heart.

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

Clayton.

13-20

317

Lucas: With Clayton

touched our mate, my wolf snarls, hackles

wrestling my primal

can’t afford to lose

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

He knows who Ava is to me.

greets, his

like gravel in my mouth. Anger flares hot in my veins, the urge to

did it have to

rage down, swallowing the bitter accusations. We have more pressing matters to

attention.

of unspoken words hanging heavy between us. As we pull out onto the highway, heading away

13.28

Lucas: With

can’t take

voice deceptively calm. “As soon as

me?”

his grip tightening on the

as I could to help here, because I

about it in person.”

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

he? There’s no point trying to assign ulterior motives to his actions. We can’t

her, my wolf growls again, the memory of Ava’s confession ringing in my

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

you coming to haln with

13:20 –