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.

breath, trying to center myself. I know Clayton will be waiting at the

maintain control.

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

She is ours. No one else can have her.

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Lucas: With Clayton

at other alphas with respect,

so, he usually knows better than to attack another

be done. She is not our mate yet. We can’t piss her off if we want a chance

with her.

the back of my head tell me that he’s unsatisfied with my reasoning, but he stops snapping for Clayton’s blood, giving me some reprieve from all the unsettled emotions swirling in my

Even dealing with Blackwood was easier than all the bullshit I

heart.

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 stands

Clayton.

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317

Lucas: With

wolf snarls, hackles raising. He needs

it, I growl back, wrestling

to

calm. But as our eyes meet, I

He knows who Ava is

his

respond, his name feeling 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

attention.

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

13.28

Lucas: With Clayton

take it anymore.

tell me?” I ask, my voice deceptively calm. “As soon as you found out,

me?”

grip tightening on the

soon as I could

it

like a slap 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 life.

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

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

threatens to overtake me, I can’t lose control. Not here,

you coming to haln with Blackwood”

13:20 –