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.
Todd get up from the couch. The absence
her, his broad frame filling the doorway. His eyes find me on the couch
nlanting himself directly in front of the TV
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2/8
Homecoming (II)
back to
eyes
disappointment, id
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
flexing beneath his weathered skin. For a moment, I think
expect.
He simply stands there, his gaze locked with mine, as if searching for something he can’t quite find.
says, “Have something delivered. The alpha will be here soon.”
hidden deep in my heart.
victory.
to see you’ve been so worried about me. So many questions
12:39
318
C
Homecoming
been, am I okay. What a loving, caring
keep my mouth shut, too. When
after their daughter’s been missing, and not a word out of
my life like this for two decades is more
do
my dad says in his
refusing to call him any form
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
made me laugh. But she’s not, so I
<
Ava: Homecoming (II)
snatch the remote from my hand
it off.
voice like ice. “Get dressed in something more presentable.
person.”
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 that could
her neck and ears.
wave a hand down my body with a
I get,” I say, each word enveloped in wry amusement. “Since I don’t have parents who actually take care of me. I’m
before I can even register
5/8
Homecoming
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