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.
the shifters guarding me. I can feel Todd get up from the couch. The absence of his
his broad frame filling the doorway. His eyes find me on
nlanting himself directly in front of the TV
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Ava: Homecoming (II)
tilt my head back to meet his gaze, unflinching. His
eyes
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
flexing beneath his weathered skin. For a moment, I think he might speak, might unleash
expect.
there, his gaze locked with mine, as if searching for something he can’t
Mom and says, “Have something delivered. The alpha will be here
hidden deep in my heart. There’s no point in pushing the
victory.
“So good to see you’ve
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Ava: Homecoming (II)
where I’ve been, am I okay. What a loving, caring family. We’re so close.”
to keep my mouth shut, too. When did I
parents come home after their daughter’s been missing, and not a word out of their mouth is
for two decades
can’t do
in his warning tone.
Alexander,” I say, refusing to
father.
twitches and a muscle in his jaw clenches. “I see that you’ve become a degenerate in your absence. I’m letting it pass today because you’ve
a mocking tone that made me laugh. But she’s
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Ava: Homecoming
the remote from my
it off.
watching that level of trash, Ava,” she admonishes, her voice like ice.
person.”
responses coming 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, appraising me from head to toe with an expression of utter disdain.
neck and ears.
down my body with a bright smile.
in wry amusement. “Since I don’t have parents who actually take care of me. I’m the
comes before I can
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Ava: Homecoming
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