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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spread Renard’s little spy all around the perimeter of the

nods. “Sending a

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

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

needs her space.

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

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Lucas: The Dark Side of Alpha

her

shoulder, startling me out

brooding thoughts. “I’ll get the boys to

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

to me–and it is–she’s going to live

and a beautiful world.

in places like this.

thinking about her again, aren’t you? You should go, before you start writing

or some

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 before.

be a better

future

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considered myself lacking before. Now,

brought into her

scum of this earth.

nightmare a long time ago. Would have been, if

least we’re finally getting to be on the same

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

her gorgeous face and the way she pulls her bottom lip in when she’s worried. How her face changes when she smiles. How she moans when I touch her, and… Sᴇaʀ*ᴄh the FindNʘᴠᴇl.nᴇt website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of novels early and in the highest

I’m insane.

be thinking like

it

that little laugh of hers, to realize her walls had come down, and my body had

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Lucas: The Dark Side

toward memories of that hospital room

sweetly her body had-

Fuck.

a

about anything except Ava and Selene. He’s been somewhat soothed since we’d

Damn it.

to get out

to her. Mate her. Mark