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.

touches 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 raging inside me. I

maintain

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 shift

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

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Lucas: With Clayton

look at other alphas with respect, but he

usually knows better

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

with her.

stops snapping for Clayton’s blood, giving me some reprieve from all the unsettled emotions swirling in my head.

was easier than all the bullshit I have

heart.

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 gag. But beneath it all, one scent stands out,

Clayton.

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Lucas: With Clayton

wolf snarls, hackles raising. He needs to pay.

growl back, wrestling my primal

afford to

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

He knows who

he greets, his voice

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

it have

We have more pressing matters to attend to. The

attention.

weight of unspoken words hanging heavy between us. As we pull out onto the highway, heading away from White Peak, the tension

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With Clayton

can’t take it anymore.

deceptively calm. “As soon as you found out,

me?”

grip tightening

as soon as I could to

it

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

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

you coming to haln with Blackwood” I

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