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.
up from the couch. The absence of his presence is a relief, even with
his broad frame filling the doorway. His eyes find me on the couch and
in front
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Homecoming (II)
back to
eyes
of emotions swirling in their depths. Anger, disappointment, id something
into the side of my face, but I refuse to break eye contact
his weathered skin. For a moment, I think he might speak, might unleash the torrent of reprimands I’ve come
expect.
never come. He simply stands there, his gaze locked with mine, as
“Have something delivered. The alpha will
hidden deep in my heart. There’s no point in pushing the
victory.
the TV. “So good to see you’ve been so worried about me.
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Homecoming
I okay. What a loving, caring family.
mouth shut, too. When did I develop this level
not a word out of their mouth is even fake
life like this for two decades
can’t do
my dad says in his warning tone.
Alexander,” I say, refusing to
father.
a degenerate in your absence. I’m letting it pass today because you’ve been through a lot, but make no mistake, Ava–you will behave when Alpha
would have repeated his words in a mocking tone that made me laugh. But she’s not, so I
<
Homecoming (II)
snatch the remote from
it off.
cannot be watching that level of trash, Ava,” she admonishes, her voice like ice. “Get dressed in something
person.”
seen better days a hundred years ago. Mom’s gaze
her neck and
down my body
as presentable as I get,” I say, each word enveloped in wry amusement. “Since I don’t have parents who actually take care of me. I’m
I can
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Homecoming (II)
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