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

the contemptuous twist of his lips. "Westwood sent

stutters at the mention of that name, memories of intense golden eyes and

I can somehow get

It's possible.

are his apologies enough to put my hopes on

way, it's better

the least of our concerns right now," my father rumbles. "We

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 seen with her

I strain to hear my father's response, my hands stilling in the soapy water. They knew about

they suddenly began looking for me? To use

keep Ava with us. She's our card to neutralize Aspen. Once she's mated to the alpha, it

eyes between Blackwood and Westwood to ever reach Lucas, and even Clayton isn't an option. More,

kidnapped her. It's easy enough to neutralize them as a threat. So keep

* * *

surprised to see Jessa lounging on the couch the next morning when I venture downstairs. The house is eerily quiet, devoid of

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

careful to maintain a respectful distance. "Hey, Jess," I venture, my voice sounding too loud and unnatural. "How have

and for a moment, I wonder if she even heard me. But then, with a sigh, she lowers her phone and turns to face me, her blue eyes assessing.

and I blink, trying to formulate a response. What do I want? I want to be free of this suffocating

know what she's thinking. Is it possible she, too, worries about Phoenix's standing in the

really. Just wanted to chat, I guess. It's been a while since we've had

see the gears turning in her head as she tries to decipher my