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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mirthless chuckle rumbles in my chest. “We’re going to spread Renard’s little spy all around the perimeter of the Unregistered city. Let him catch

“Sending a message?”

tension. It’s been a long night. Weeks, really. Ever

of a wolf.

eats at me, being away from her. Hearing her voice, that sweet laughter… it’s a balm and a curse; soothing my ragged edges while stoking the

needs

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

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worth picking up her call, even

me on the shoulder, startling

thoughts. “I’ll get the boys to

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

me–and it is–she’s going to live in

a beautiful world.

places like

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

some shit.”

something.” But there’s no heat in it.

want before.

better man.

future

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never considered myself lacking before. Now,

into

scum of this earth.

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

to be on the same page.

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

smell right now 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 she moans when I touch her, and…

I’m insane.

be thinking like

got it

little laugh of hers, to realize her walls had come

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Lucas: The Dark Side

toward memories of that hospital room and

sweetly her

Fuck.

a

and Selene. He’s been somewhat soothed since we’d made love on

Damn it.

get out of

to her. Mate