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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chuckle rumbles in my chest. “We’re going to spread Renard’s little spy all around the perimeter

nods. “Sending

clear. Renard needs to 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

of a wolf.

away from her. Hearing her 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

Ava needs her

I think I can finally feel the fruits of that sacrifice. She’s no longer so distant. If all it takes is letting her go to to the occasional stupid party, it’s an acceptable cost.

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up her call, even

shoulder, startling me out of

get the boys to start

my back, ready to do what needs doing. Even the ugly shit. “Sounds good.” Hopefully Ava never hears of these sordid details, the shadowy side of the

it’s up to me–and it is–she’s going to live in peace.

and a beautiful world.

places like this.

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

or some shit.”

serial killer or something.” But there’s no heat in it. He’s not wrong: Ava twists me up inside, makes me want things I’ve

want before.

me want to be a better man. For her.

future

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never considered myself

what pain I’ve brought into her

lowest scum of this

have been free of this nightmare a long time ago. Would have been,

we’re finally getting to be on the

overpowering smell of blood, metallic in the back of

is the smell of Ava’s unique scent. All I can see is her gorgeous face and the way she pulls her bottom lip in when she’s worried. How her face changes when she smiles. How

I’m insane.

I be thinking like this?

it bad.

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

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Lucas: The Dark

toward memories of that hospital room

sweetly her body had-

Fuck.

have a

bloodthirsty tendencies, he doesn’t care about anything except Ava and Selene. He’s been somewhat soothed since we’d made love on the hospital bed, her

Damn it.

get out of here.

her. Mate her. Mark