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.

she says, ostensibly to the shifters guarding me. I can feel Todd get up from the couch. The absence of his presence is a

doorway. His eyes find me on the couch and his expression darkens. Without a word,

directly in

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tilt my head back to meet

eyes

emotions swirling in their depths. Anger, disappointment, id something

thick enough to choke on. Mom’s cold stare digs into the side of my face, but I refuse to break eye contact with Dad. I won’t cower, not this

his weathered skin. For a moment, I think he might speak,

expect.

locked with mine, as if searching for something he can’t quite find.

something

triumphant smile I want to have has to be hidden deep in my heart. There’s no point in

victory.

see you’ve been so worried about me. So many questions about

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Homecoming

I’m doing, where I’ve been, am I okay. What a loving,

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

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

two decades

do another

in his warning tone.

I say, refusing to

father.

letting it pass today because you’ve been through a lot, but make no

Selene were here, 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 the TV,

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Ava: Homecoming

remote from my hand

it off.

cannot be watching that level of trash, Ava,” she admonishes, her voice like ice. “Get dressed

person.”

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

her neck

my

I don’t have parents who actually take care of me. I’m the orphan

slap comes before I can

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