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.

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

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

directly in

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Homecoming (II)

to meet his gaze, unflinching. His

eyes

into mine, a storm of emotions swirling in their depths. Anger, disappointment, id something else I can’t

cold stare digs into the side of my face,

flexing beneath his weathered skin. For a moment, I

expect.

simply stands there, his gaze locked with mine, as

and says, “Have something

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

victory.

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

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Ava: Homecoming

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

shut, too. When

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

like this for two

can’t do another

says in his warning tone.

I say, refusing to call him any

father.

his jaw clenches. “I see that you’ve become a degenerate in your absence. I’m letting it pass today because you’ve been through a lot, but make no

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

remote from my hand and turn

it off.

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

person.”

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 of utter disdain. She’s dressed to perfection, as she always is,

her neck

a hand down my body with

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

slap comes before I can even register

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Ava: Homecoming (II)

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