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.

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

maintain control.

My wolf paces restlessly beneath my skin, eager for blood.

ours. No one else can have her.

11:28

With Clayton

him, Clayton is nothing more than competition. My wolf may look at other alphas with respect, but he never looks at them

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

with her.

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

than all the bullshit I have

heart.

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 putting my wolf on high alert.

Clayton.

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317

Lucas: With Clayton

touched our mate, my wolf snarls, hackles

it, I growl back, wrestling

to lose

But as our eyes meet, I can

who Ava is to

greets, his voice tight.

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

it have to

We have more pressing matters

attention.

in strained silence, the weight of unspoken words hanging heavy between

13.28

Lucas: With Clayton

can’t take it

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

me?”

grip tightening

soon as I could to help

about it

feels 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

entire time, hasn’t he? There’s no point trying

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

fighting back the shift that threatens to overtake me, I

you coming to

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