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

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

that name, memories of intense golden eyes and searing touches flooding my senses.

can somehow get word to

It's possible.

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

it's better

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

the Aspen Pack? You don't think they're involved

my father's response, my hands stilling in the soapy water.

suddenly began looking for me? To use me against

with us. She's our card to neutralize Aspen. Once she's mated to

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

pack, we can argue that Aspen kidnapped her. It's easy enough to neutralize them as a threat. So keep your

* * *

venture downstairs. The house is eerily quiet, devoid of the usual bustle of my family's presence. It's unsettling, especially considering the events

away at the screen

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

doesn't respond immediately, and for a moment, I wonder if she even heard me. But then, with a sigh, she lowers her phone and turns

blink, trying 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

don't know what she's thinking. Is it possible she, too, worries

really. Just wanted to chat, I guess. It's been a while

can practically see the gears turning in her head as she tries to decipher my motives. "Since when do you want to talk to me?" she asks, her