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

can practically see the contemptuous twist of his lips. "Westwood sent her back as

at the mention of that name, memories of intense golden eyes and searing touches flooding my

get

It's possible.

his apologies enough to put my hopes on him for an

better than relying on

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

"What about the Aspen Pack? You don't think they're

hear my father's

looking for me? To use me

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

between Blackwood and Westwood to ever reach Lucas, and even Clayton isn't an option. More, they're planning the

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,

* * *

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

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

her, careful to maintain a respectful distance. "Hey, Jess," I

she even heard me. But then, with a sigh, she lowers

I want? I want to be free of this suffocating house, this oppressive pack. I want to find

when I don't know what she's thinking.

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

I can practically see the gears turning in her head as she tries to decipher my motives. "Since when do you