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.

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

to maintain control.

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

She is ours. No one

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Lucas: With Clayton

look at other alphas with respect, but he never looks at them

so, he usually knows better than

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

with her.

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

shit. Even dealing with Blackwood was easier than all the bullshit I have to deal with in my

heart.

exit the terminal, an overwhelming assault on my sensitive nose. Sweat, perfume, fast food–it all mingles into a nauseating

Clayton.

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Lucas: With Clayton

mate, my wolf snarls, hackles raising. He needs to

I growl back, wrestling my primal

can’t afford to

into a mask of calm. But as our eyes

who Ava is to me.

greets, his

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

Why did it have to be her?

more pressing matters

attention.

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

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With Clayton

take

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

me?”

tightening

“I only just found out myself. I came as soon as I could to help here,

it in

the face. Like he isn’t here to get a chance to see her. Like he

won’t stop. Clayton really is here to help. He’s been helping this entire time, hasn’t he? There’s no

of Ava’s confession ringing in my ears. He had his hands

the shift that threatens to overtake me,

coming to haln with Blackwood” I

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