Tangled

127 Lucas: The Dark Side of Alpha

LUCAS

I’m going to hell.

I’m going straight to hell on a VIP plane.

Pressing a soft kiss against my phone screen after Ava hangs up isn’t why.

Having a raging boner from the sound of her little laugh? That’s not why, either… exactly.

But what deranged psychopath gets hard from listening to their mate while slicing body parts off a

corpse?

Granted, he’s still groaning a little, so he isn’t a corpse yet. But he’s close.

“Did you fix the chainsaw?”

“Got it working again.” Vester holds it up, its teeth gleaming wetly in the dim light. The damn sound of it starting up again had almost ruined my conversation with my mate..

I nod, tearing my gaze away from the screen, Ava’s

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127 Lucas: The Dark Side of Alpha

sweet laughter still echoing in my ears. “Let’s get this done, then.”

The knife clatters onto the tray as I set it aside. I barely remember picking it up, so distracted by the sound of my mate’s voice. Her presence lingers, a phantom touch against my cheek. But reality crashes back in as I survey the mess on the floor.

I kick at his head, to the side in a glistening pool of blood. His eyes stare blankly, mouth slack. He stopped screaming a while ago, his healing abilities no match for Vester’s ruthless blade, but even so, the occasional groan comes out. He should have been dead already, but his body hasn’t realized it yet, still trying to fight the pain.

Fucking Blackwood spy. Thought he could infiltrate my borders, gather intel for that snake Renard. Not on my

watch.

We aren’t usually into dismembering, but it has its place.

“What’s the plan for all these bits and pieces?” Vester asks, wiping his hands on a rag that’s more red than white.

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Lucas: The Dark

“We’re going to spread Renard’s little spy all around the perimeter of the Unregistered city. Let him catch a whiff of his failure.”

“Sending a

know we’re on to him.” I roll my shoulders, trying to dispel the tension. It’s been a long night. Weeks, really. Ever since Ava escaped her family’s clutches, it’s been a constant game of cat and mouse, trying to find that little

of a wolf.

voice, that sweet laughter… it’s a balm and a curse; soothing my ragged edges while stoking the fire in my veins. I want to be there, watching over her as she heals, holding her close. Not here, elbow–deep in some

Ava needs her space.

feel the fruits of that sacrifice. She’s no longer so distant. If all it takes is letting her

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The Dark

her call, even

shoulder, startling me

boys

Even the ugly shit. “Sounds good.” Hopefully Ava never hears of these sordid details, the shadowy side of the Alpha title.

is–she’s going to

a beautiful

in places

snorts, a wry smile tugging at his mouth. “You’re thinking about her again, aren’t you? You should go, before you

some

killer or something.” But there’s no heat in it. He’s

want before.

better man. For her. For

future

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Dark Side of

myself lacking before. Now,

pain I’ve brought into her life?

of this

Would have been, if I hadn’t been such a fucking judgmental

we’re finally getting to be on

yet to go down. You’d think the overpowering smell of blood, metallic in the back of my throat, would be

her gorgeous face and the way she pulls her bottom lip in when she’s worried. How her face changes when

Fuck. I’m

be thinking like

it bad.

hers, to realize her walls had come down, and my body

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<

The Dark Side of

that hospital room

her

Fuck.

have a problem.

He’s been somewhat soothed since we’d made love

Damn it.

to get out

to her. Mate