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.

Todd get up from the

his broad frame filling the doorway. His eyes find me on the couch and his expression darkens. Without

himself directly in front of

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head back to meet his

eyes

depths. Anger, disappointment, id something else I can’t quite place–a hint of wariness,

Mom’s cold stare digs into the side of my face, but I refuse to break eye contact with Dad.

a moment, I think he

expect.

come. He simply stands there, his gaze locked with mine, as if searching for something he can’t

something delivered. The alpha

triumphant smile I want to have has to be hidden deep in my

victory.

good to see you’ve been so worried about me. So

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Ava: Homecoming

I’ve been, am I okay. What a loving, caring

to keep my mouth shut, too.

come home after their daughter’s been missing, and not a word out

for two decades is more than

do another second.

dad says in his warning tone.

say, refusing to call

father.

I’m letting it

repeated his words in a mocking tone that made me laugh.

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Ava: Homecoming (II)

snatch the remote from my hand and

it off.

Ava,” she admonishes, her voice like ice. “Get dressed in something more presentable. You look

person.”

responses coming to mind as I look down 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

her neck and ears.

my body with a bright smile.

amusement. “Since I don’t

comes before I can even register

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Ava: Homecoming (II)

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