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.

feel Todd get up from the couch. The absence of his presence is a relief, even with my parents

her, his broad frame filling the doorway. His eyes find me

directly in front

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head back to meet his

eyes

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

stare digs into the side of my face, but I refuse to break eye contact with Dad. I won’t

clenches, the muscles flexing beneath his weathered skin. For a moment, I think he might speak, might unleash the torrent of

expect.

stands there, his gaze locked with mine, as if searching for something he

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

has to be hidden deep in my heart. There’s no point in pushing the

victory.

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

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Ava: Homecoming

I okay. What a loving, caring family. We’re so

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

missing, and not a word out of their mouth is even fake

life like this for two decades

can’t do another

my dad says in his

refusing to call him any

father.

a degenerate in your absence. I’m letting it pass today because you’ve been through a lot, but make no

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

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Ava: Homecoming (II)

snatch the remote from my

it off.

level of trash, Ava,” she admonishes, her voice like ice. “Get dressed in something more presentable.

person.”

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,

neck and ears.

a hand down my

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

I can even register

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