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.

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

maintain control.

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 palms as I fight to keep the shift at

my wolf growls. She is ours.

11:28

With Clayton

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

knows better than to attack another alpha.

done. She is not our mate yet. We can’t piss her off

with her.

he’s unsatisfied with my reasoning, but he stops snapping for

Even dealing with Blackwood was easier than all the bullshit I have

heart.

sensitive nose. Sweat, perfume, fast food–it all mingles into a nauseating miasma that makes me want to gag. But

Clayton.

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317

With

my wolf snarls, hackles

I growl back, wrestling my

afford to lose it

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

knows. He knows who Ava

he greets, his voice tight.

name feeling like gravel in my mouth. Anger flares hot in my veins,

Why did it

We have more pressing

attention.

make our way to the car in strained silence, the weight of unspoken words hanging heavy between us. As we pull out onto the highway, heading away from White

13.28

Lucas: With

take it anymore.

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

me?”

grip tightening

myself. I came as soon as I could to help here, because I felt

it in person.”

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

to help. He’s been helping this entire time, hasn’t he? There’s no point trying to assign ulterior motives to his actions.

wolf growls again, the memory of Ava’s confession ringing in my ears. He had his hands

eyes, fighting back the shift that threatens to overtake me, I can’t

coming to haln with Blackwood”

13:20 –