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.
says, ostensibly to the shifters guarding me. I can feel Todd get up from the couch. The absence of his presence is a relief, even with my parents
find me on the couch and his expression darkens. Without a word, he strides
nlanting himself directly in
12.39
2/8
Homecoming
head back to
eyes
Anger, disappointment,
room is palpable, thick enough to choke on. Mom’s cold stare digs into the side of my face, but I refuse to break
muscles flexing beneath his weathered skin. For a moment, I think he might speak, might
expect.
He simply stands there, his gaze locked with mine, as if searching for something he
he looks at Mom and says, “Have something delivered.
I want to have has to be hidden deep in my heart. There’s no point in pushing
victory.
TV. “So good to see you’ve been so worried about
12:39
318
C
Ava: Homecoming (II)
I’m doing, where I’ve been, am I okay. What a loving, caring
to keep my mouth shut, too. When did I develop this level of
not a word out of their mouth is even fake concern.
life like this for two decades is more than
do another
dad says in
refusing to call him any form
father.
a degenerate in your absence. I’m letting it pass today because you’ve been through a lot, but make
made me
<
Ava: Homecoming
remote from my hand
it off.
like ice. “Get dressed in something more presentable. You look
person.”
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,
her neck and
hand down my body with a
I don’t have
slap comes before I can even register the
5/8
Ava: Homecoming
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