Tangled in Moonlight: Unshifted (Ava and Lucas)

Chapter 64 Ava: Homecoming (VI)

Hot water scalds my hands as I scrub dishes in mindless monotony. Anger. Fear. Despair. They all churn together in a toxic mix that threatens to drown me.

I have to stay strong, stay focused. Alpha Renard has made his intentions clear.

The plates clatter against each other as I rinse them, the sound almost therapeutic in its familiarity. This is what my life has been reduced to—cleaning up after my family, tiptoeing around their expectations, their rules, their control. A mere shadow in my own home.

Muted voices drift in from the other room, and it's impossible not to overhear the tense exchange between Phoenix and my father.

"...even more reports of rogues crossing the border," Phoenix growls, his voice laced with anger. "We can't let them encroach on our territory."

My father's response is quieter, but no less stern. "Have you confirmed the sightings? This has to be done carefully, or else the Council can intervene."

"We can't afford to be complacent," Phoenix snaps.

What does the Council have to do with rogues? Every pack has the right to deal with rogues as they wish. My confusion has me straining my ears to hear more.

"Easy, son." My father's tone is placating, but there's an undercurrent of steel beneath it. "Just handle this discreetly. As long as we're only touching the rogues, no one can do anything. They're just learning from our game. As long as there's no evidence, the Council can't touch us."

"That means the Council can't touch them, either," Phoenix growls.

"All in due time. We just have to wait a little longer, and everything will be set."

"It would have been better if Jessa had managed to stay there."

so there's little

his lips. "Westwood sent her back as a challenge. Lucas is getting bolder.

memories of intense golden eyes and searing touches flooding

somehow get word to

It's possible.

sorry for how he treated me. But are his apologies enough to put my hopes on him for

it's better than relying on

my father

then Phoenix speaks again, his voice low and dangerous. "What about the Aspen Pack? You don't think they're involved in this somehow? Isn't it odd that Ava was found there, right after Lucas was

father's response, my hands

began looking

to keep Ava with us. She's

reach

Aspen kidnapped her. It's easy enough to neutralize them as a threat. So keep your focus on Westwood, and don't worry

* * *

the couch the next morning when I venture downstairs. The house is eerily quiet, devoid of the usual

her phone as I approach, her fingers tapping away at the screen with a single-minded focus. I hesitate, unsure of how

and settle onto the couch near her, careful to maintain a respectful distance. "Hey, Jess," I venture, my voice sounding too

heard me. But then, with a sigh, she lowers her phone and turns to face me, her blue

to formulate a response. What do I want? I want to be free of this suffocating house, this oppressive pack. I want to find my way back to the

when I don't know what she's thinking. Is it possible she, too, worries about Phoenix's standing in the

aiming for nonchalance. "Nothing, really. Just wanted to chat, I guess. It's been a while since

to decipher my motives. "Since when do you want to talk to me?" she asks, her