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.
guarding me. I can feel Todd get up from the couch. The absence
find me on the couch and his expression
himself directly in
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2/8
Ava: Homecoming (II)
tilt my head back to meet his gaze, unflinching. His
eyes
mine, a storm of emotions swirling in their depths. Anger, disappointment, id something else I can’t quite place–a
thick enough to choke on. Mom’s cold stare digs into the side
skin. For a moment, I think he might speak, might unleash the torrent of reprimands I’ve come to
expect.
locked with mine,
and says, “Have something delivered. The
be hidden deep in my heart. There’s no point in pushing
victory.
to the TV. “So good to see
12:39
318
C
Homecoming (II)
doing, where I’ve been, am I okay. What a loving, caring family. We’re so
should learn to keep my mouth shut, too. When did I
come home after their daughter’s been missing, and not a word out of their mouth is even
for two decades is more than enough.
do another second.
in
I say, refusing to call him any form of
father.
his jaw clenches. “I see that you’ve become a degenerate in your absence. I’m letting it pass today because you’ve
me laugh. But she’s not, so I just turn up the volume
<
Ava: Homecoming
Mom to snatch the remote from my hand and
it off.
her voice like ice. “Get dressed in something more presentable. You look
person.”
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 that could put a down
neck and ears.
hand down my body with a bright smile.
word enveloped in wry amusement. “Since I don’t have parents who actually take care of me.
comes before I can
5/8
Ava: Homecoming (II)
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