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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The Dark Side of

around the

nods. “Sending a message?”

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

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 her as she heals, holding her close. Not

needs her space.

today, 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

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Lucas: The Dark

picking up her call, even during

on the shoulder, startling me out of

get the boys to start

ready to do what needs doing. Even the ugly shit. “Sounds

it is–she’s going

and a beautiful

in places like

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

some shit.”

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 inside, makes me want things I’ve never

want before.

a better man.

future

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Lucas: The Dark Side

considered myself

brought into her life? I feel

of this

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

to be on the

down. You’d think the overpowering smell of blood, metallic

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

I’m

can I be

it bad.

took was that little laugh of hers, to realize her walls

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Lucas: The Dark Side

that

sweetly her body

Fuck.

a

about anything except Ava and Selene. He’s been somewhat soothed since we’d made love on the hospital bed, her body warm and soft and pliant

Damn it.

have to get out

to her. Mate her. Mark