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 couch. The absence of his presence is a relief,

doorway. His eyes find me on the couch and

in

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Ava: Homecoming

head back to meet his gaze, unflinching. His

eyes

mine, a storm of emotions swirling in their depths. Anger, disappointment, id something else I

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

expect.

words never come. He simply stands there, his gaze locked with mine, as if searching for something he

looks at Mom and says, “Have something delivered. The alpha will be here

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

victory.

return my gaze to the TV. “So good to see you’ve been so worried about me. So many

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Homecoming (II)

I’ve been, am I okay.

learn to keep my mouth shut, too. When did I

honestly–two parents come home after their daughter’s been missing, and not a word out of their

this for two decades is more

do another second.

my dad says in his

I say, refusing to call him any form

father.

your absence. I’m letting it

here, she would have repeated his words in a mocking tone that made me laugh.

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Ava: Homecoming

to snatch the remote from my hand

it off.

voice like ice. “Get dressed in

person.”

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

neck

hand down my body with a bright

I say, each word enveloped in wry amusement. “Since I don’t have parents who actually take care of me. I’m

comes before I can even register the

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Homecoming

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