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 Alpha

mirthless chuckle rumbles in my chest. “We’re going to spread Renard’s little spy all around

nods. “Sending a message?”

night. Weeks, really. Ever since Ava escaped her

of a wolf.

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,

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

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The Dark Side

was worth picking up her

claps me on the shoulder, startling me

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

ugly shit. “Sounds good.” Hopefully Ava never hears of these sordid details, the

to me–and it is–she’s going

innocence and a beautiful

in places like this.

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

or some

there’s no

want before.

be a better man. For

future

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The Dark Side of Alpha

myself

what pain I’ve brought into her life? I

of

ago. Would have been,

least we’re finally getting to be on

overpowering smell of blood, metallic in the back of my throat, would be enough to keep

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… Sᴇaʀ*ᴄh the FindNʘᴠᴇl.nᴇt website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of novels early and in

I’m insane.

can I be thinking like

it

hers, to realize her walls had come

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<

The Dark Side

toward memories of that hospital

sweetly her

Fuck.

a problem.

Ava and Selene. He’s

Damn it.

get

Mate her. Mark her.