Tangled

Unshift 152

Unshift 152

152 Lucas: A Lesson in Patience

LUCAS

My mate has the guiltiest look on her face, looking everywhere but

at me.

On the one hand: It's good to know that she's a terrible liar, once caught.

But it takes every ounce of control within me to not rage at the danger she somehow placed herself in.

I don't understand any of this, but I'm determined I will before I leave the apartment.

Keeping my mouth shut is a lesson in patience, but it works. Ava slowly drips more information my way. It's a struggle to keep the smile on my face even as my molars grind together in frustration. And I remind Even when her life is on the line, and every molecule in my body is screaming to protect her.

The words come at an agonizing trickle from Ava's lips, spilling secrets I struggle to comprehend. The vampire attack. Sister Miriam's concern. Fae food-not that we understand much about it - that compels honesty. Bizarre magic that spirited her out of this room and into another place, from right beneath my nose.

Each revelation twists my gut, stoking the embers of my barely restrained fury.

152 Les ALOGOHLENationco

"Why would a vampire help a wolf?" The question escapes before I can temper it, my voice rough with the effort of control.

Ava blinks, confusion clouding her features as she evades my gaze once again. "I don't know."

"You didn't think to ask?" I press, the wolf within me prowling, eager to break free and demand answers.

She fidgets, twisting her hands in her lap. "I'm pretty sure I did? But Sister Miriam was evasive. She didn't give me a straight

answer."

she didn't. Why pin down the vampire for concrete information when you can just waltz into danger blindly? My molars grind together, my jaw clenched so tight

seething at the risks Aval took. Risks that

fear. I force a smile. Encourage her to continue. Because as much as I want to roar my frustration, I know it will only push her away. And right now, I need her to trust me. To confide

slowly drains from her shoulders as she speaks, her

every shred of self-control I possess. Every ounce of discipline honed over years of leadership. But I maintain the facade of calm, the illusion of

A Lesson in

beneath the anger, beneath the terror, lies something

Love.

can sense her meeting me halfway. Coming

me without hesitation.

going to

for

unrelenting. It tempers my fury, softens my edges. It whispers in my ears, telling me

protect.

her

I swallow my pride, my possessiveness. I meet her tentative gaze with a steadiness I don't feel, offering silent support as she bares her

admits to truths that floor

that Selene isn't just a

I finally understand his obsession with that damned husky. He's not mated to a dog. He's mated to

wolf outside of our body. We share mind, soul, and body. That's how it

is extraordinary in every way,

00

A

finally, finally, let her guard down. Her voice is raspy from talking and overuse, so I give her a break by heading into

sliding her hand into mine, and my heart jumps for fucking

It's a

Yeah, it fucking is.

hand gently. "We'll figure it out together from

didn't mean to dump

pour her a glass of water, and she hovers beside me, anxiety once

read, now that her guard is