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.

plane touches down, I take a deep breath, trying to center myself. I know Clayton will be waiting at the airport

maintain

Every step 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

wolf growls. She is ours. No

11:28

Lucas: With Clayton

at other alphas with respect, but he never looks

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.

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

all the bullshit I have to deal with in my head and

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

Clayton.

13-20

317

With

mate, my wolf snarls, hackles raising. He needs

I growl back, wrestling my

We can’t afford to lose it now.

teeth, I approach Clayton, schooling my features into a mask of calm. But as our eyes meet, I can see it in his face, in the

knows. He knows who Ava is to me.

he greets, his

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

did it have to

accusations. We have more pressing matters to attend

attention.

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

13.28

With Clayton

can’t take it anymore.

you tell me?” I ask, my voice deceptively calm. “As soon as you found out, why didn’t

me?”

his grip tightening on the steering

I could to help here, because I felt

it

get a chance to see her. Like he has any

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

again, the memory of Ava’s confession

threatens to overtake me, I can’t lose

you coming to haln with

13:20 –