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.

deep breath, trying to center myself. I know Clayton will be waiting at the airport to personally escort me to the Blackwood pack

to maintain control.

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

my wolf growls. She is ours. No one else can have

11:28

With Clayton

wolf may look at other alphas

usually knows better than to attack another alpha.

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

with her.

unsatisfied with my reasoning, but he stops snapping for Clayton’s blood, giving me some reprieve from

the bullshit I have to

heart.

of 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 needs

back, wrestling

afford to lose it

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

knows who Ava is

his voice tight.

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

did it

have more pressing matters to attend to. The Blackwood situation demands

attention.

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 from White Peak, the

13.28

Lucas: With Clayton

can’t take

tell me?” I ask, my voice deceptively calm. “As soon

me?”

tightening on the

only just found out myself. I came as soon as I could

about it in

in the face. Like he isn’t here to get a chance to see her. Like he has any right. to be involved in Ava’s

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 past this situation if I’m

the memory of Ava’s confession ringing in my ears. He had his hands on what’s ours.

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

you coming to haln with Blackwood” I

13:20 –