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 Side of

“We’re going to spread Renard’s little spy all around the perimeter of the Unregistered city. Let

“Sending

night. Weeks, really. Ever since Ava escaped her family’s clutches,

of a wolf.

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

needs her space.

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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worth picking up her call, even during this

shoulder, startling me

brooding thoughts. “I’ll get the boys to start on the distribution.”

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

is–she’s going to live in

and a beautiful world.

in places like this.

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

some shit.”

bark of 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

want before.

better man.

future

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Lucas: The Dark Side of

never considered myself

into

of this earth.

free of this nightmare a long time ago. Would have

to be on the same page.

that has yet to go down. You’d think the overpowering smell of

scent. All I can see is her gorgeous face and the way she pulls her bottom lip in when she’s worried. How

I’m

I be thinking like this?

got it

little laugh of hers, to realize her

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Dark Side

memories of that hospital

sweetly her body had-

Fuck.

a problem.

bloodthirsty tendencies, he doesn’t care about anything except Ava and Selene. He’s been somewhat soothed since

Damn it.

have to get out of

Mate her. Mark