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 point in worrying about

see the contemptuous twist of his lips. "Westwood sent her back as a challenge.

of that name, memories of intense golden eyes and searing

get

It's possible.

how he treated me. But are his apologies enough

way, it's better than

our concerns right now," my father rumbles. "We need to

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 seen with her in

catches in my throat, and I strain to hear my father's response, my hands stilling in the

why they suddenly began looking for me? To

get along well," Dad says grimly. "But we need to keep Ava with us. She's our card to neutralize Aspen. Once she's mated to the alpha, it will lend legitimacy

my stomach. There are too many eyes between Blackwood and Westwood to ever reach Lucas, and even Clayton isn't an option. More, they're

move without the Council's approval. Because Ava is our pack, we can argue that Aspen kidnapped her. It's easy enough to neutralize them as a threat. So keep your focus on Westwood, and

* * *

is eerily quiet, devoid of the usual bustle of my family's presence. It's

fingers tapping away at the screen with

onto the couch near her, careful to maintain a respectful distance. "Hey, Jess," I

sigh, she lowers her phone and turns to face me, her blue eyes assessing. "Fine," she says,

this suffocating house,

I don't know

I guess. It's been a while since we've had a chance to talk, just the two

she tries to decipher my motives. "Since when