Tangled

Chapter 60

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.

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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.

I can feel Todd get up from the couch. The absence of his presence is a relief, even with my parents home.

filling the doorway. His eyes find me on the couch and

directly in

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tilt my head back to meet

eyes

a storm of emotions swirling in their depths. Anger, disappointment, id something else I can’t quite place–a hint of wariness,

room is palpable, thick enough to choke on. Mom’s cold stare digs into the side of my face, but I refuse to break eye contact with Dad. I won’t cower, not this

flexing beneath his weathered skin. For a moment, I think he might speak, might

expect.

stands there, his gaze locked with mine, as if searching for something

says, “Have something

have has to be hidden deep in my heart.

victory.

gaze to the TV. “So good to see you’ve been so

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Homecoming

been, am I okay. What a loving, caring family. We’re so close.”

to keep my mouth shut, too. When did I

home after their daughter’s been missing, and not a word out of their mouth is

my life like this for two decades is more than

do

my dad says in his warning

I say, refusing to call

father.

and a muscle in his jaw clenches. “I see that you’ve become a degenerate in your absence. I’m letting it pass

repeated his words in a mocking tone that made me laugh. But she’s not, so I just turn up

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Homecoming (II)

remote from my hand and

it off.

voice like ice. “Get dressed in something more presentable. You look like a

person.”

at my worn–out jeans, with holes in the knees and in a couple places along my 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 a designer dress

her neck and ears.

a hand down my

amusement. “Since I don’t have parents who actually take

before I can even

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Homecoming

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