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.
may go,” she says, ostensibly to the shifters guarding me. I can feel Todd get up from the couch. The absence of his presence is a
follows behind her, his broad frame filling the doorway. His eyes find me on
himself directly in front of the
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Homecoming
tilt my head back to
eyes
swirling in their depths. Anger, disappointment,
enough to choke on. Mom’s cold stare digs into the side of
jaw clenches, the muscles flexing beneath his weathered skin. For a moment, I think he might speak, might unleash the
expect.
stands there, his gaze locked
“Have something delivered. The
has to be hidden deep in my
victory.
the TV. “So good to see you’ve been so worried about me. So many questions about
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C
Ava: Homecoming (II)
been, am I okay. What a loving, caring family. We’re so close.”
should learn to keep my mouth shut, too. When did I develop this level
their daughter’s been missing, and not a
my life like this for two decades is more than enough.
can’t do
dad says in
to call
father.
absence. I’m letting it pass today because you’ve been through a
she would have repeated his words in a mocking tone that made me laugh. But she’s not, so I just turn up the volume on
<
Homecoming (II)
to snatch the remote from my
it off.
level of trash, Ava,” she admonishes, her voice like ice. “Get
person.”
have seen better days a hundred years ago. Mom’s gaze is cutting,
neck and ears.
wave a hand down my body with a
presentable as I get,” I say, each word enveloped in wry amusement. “Since I don’t have parents who actually take care of me. I’m the orphan of the
before I can even register
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Homecoming (II)
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