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?

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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.

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.

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

wolf growls. She is ours. No one

11:28

With Clayton

at other alphas with respect, but he never looks at

usually knows better than to attack another

snap. There’s nothing to be done. She is not our mate yet. We can’t piss

with her.

of my head tell me that he’s unsatisfied with my reasoning, but he stops snapping for Clayton’s blood, giving me some

was easier than all the bullshit I have to deal with

heart.

crowds my nostrils as I exit the terminal, an overwhelming assault on my sensitive nose. Sweat, perfume, fast food–it all mingles

Clayton.

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317

Lucas: With Clayton

my wolf snarls,

I growl back, wrestling my primal

can’t afford to

Clayton, schooling my features into a mask of calm. But as our eyes meet, I can

knows who Ava is to me.

greets, his voice tight.

mouth. Anger flares hot in my veins, the urge to lash out, to demand answers, nearly

her? Why did it have

We have more pressing

attention.

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

13.28

Lucas: With

take

calm. “As soon as you found out,

me?”

tightening on the steering

as soon as I could to help here, because I

about it in

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

Jealousy, 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 actions. We can’t get

the memory of Ava’s confession ringing in my ears. He

that threatens to

you coming to haln with

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