60 Ava: Homecoming (II)
When Mom and Dad walk through the door, dinner isn’t ready, because I haven’t once left the couch.
I’m two episodes into a back–to–back marathon of Selene’s favorite show. Todd and his two goonies have tried to get me to cook, but I’ve ignored them at every
turn.
I find it interesting that they never once tried to physically drag me into the kitchen. They would have
before.
I don’t think it’s my attitude; they’re the kind who would beat it out of you, not back down.
So, it’s the order Phoenix gave. But why? What’s planned for me?
Before I left, it was to use me as a breeder for the pack. That isn’t the kind of future where I’m protected from beatings. That means there’s something more…
My stomach clenches. Do they know about my heat?
They have to..
There’s no other explanation.
18
60 Ava: Homecoming (II)
If they know I went into heat, then they’ll likely know
about the supposed ‘true omega‘ designation Clayton’s pack had given me.
And if they think I’m that…
Shit.
When the front door opens, I don’t budge. Not a
muscle twitches.
I can smell Mom’s perfume before her heels click against the floor. Even without looking, I can imagine the pinched look on her face. “Ava Grey. Your brother spends all this time to find you and bring you home safely, and you can’t even make dinner to repay him?”
I don’t respond, keeping my eyes trained on the flickering TV screen.
the shifters guarding me. I can feel Todd get up from the couch. The absence of his presence is a relief, even with my
me on the couch
in front of the TV
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2/8
Ava: Homecoming
my head back to meet
eyes
their depths. Anger, disappointment, id
thick enough to choke on. Mom’s cold stare digs into the side of my face, but I refuse to
a moment, I think he might speak, might unleash the
expect.
never come. He simply stands there, his gaze locked with mine, as
says, “Have something delivered.
have has to be hidden deep
victory.
good to see you’ve
12:39
318
C
Homecoming
where I’ve been, am I okay.
should learn to keep my mouth shut,
honestly–two parents come home after their daughter’s been missing, and not a word out
my life like this for two
can’t do another
my dad says in his warning tone.
I say, refusing to call him
father.
brow twitches and a muscle in his jaw clenches. “I see that you’ve become a degenerate in your absence. I’m letting it pass today because you’ve been through a lot, but make no mistake, Ava–you will
repeated his words in a mocking tone that made me laugh. But she’s
<
Ava: Homecoming
remote from my hand and
it off.
cannot be watching that level of trash, Ava,” she admonishes, her voice like ice. “Get dressed in something more
person.”
thighs, and my faded t–shirt that might have seen better days a hundred years ago. Mom’s gaze is cutting, appraising me from head to toe with an expression of utter disdain. She’s dressed to perfection, as she always is, in
her neck
down my body with
I get,” I say, each word enveloped in wry amusement. “Since I don’t have parents
slap comes before I can
5/8
Homecoming
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