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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Dark Side of Alpha

to spread Renard’s little spy all around the perimeter

nods. “Sending a

dispel the tension. It’s been a long night. Weeks, really. Ever since Ava escaped her family’s clutches, it’s been a

of a wolf.

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

needs

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

me on the shoulder, startling me out

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 Alpha

is–she’s going

and a beautiful

places like this.

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

or some shit.”

laughter escapes me. “Fuck off. You make me sound like a 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 never

want before.

be a better man.

future

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Dark Side of Alpha

never considered myself lacking before.

pain I’ve brought into her life? I feel like

of this earth.

a long time ago. Would have been, if I hadn’t been such

we’re finally getting to be on

think the overpowering smell of

bottom lip in when she’s worried. How her face changes when she smiles. How she moans when I touch her, and…

Fuck. I’m

I be thinking

it

it took was that little laugh of hers, to realize her walls had come down, and

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Lucas: The Dark Side of

memories of that hospital

her body had-

Fuck.

a problem.

go to her, my wolf whines. Aside from 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 body warm and

Damn it.

get

to her. Mate her.