Tangled

61 Ava: Homecoming (III)

Alpha Renard is someone I have had few encounters with. He’s come by the house many times through my life, but my parents always sent me to my room, not wanting to parade their shame in front of him.

Today is different.

Today, he sits across from me at the dinner table as my mother serves him, apologizing for the dinner- something Phoenix had brought home from a

restaurant in town. Everyone’s gaze seems to center

on me.

I can tell Phoenix and Dad are furious with me, but

there’s little point in looking in their direction. There’s no point ruining what tiny appetite I have.

Alpha Renard is an imposing figure, towering well over six feet with a muscular build that speaks of years of combat training. His brown hair is neatly trimmed and his face shaved; I don’t think I’ve ever seen him in a state of disarray. He likes to show off the deep scars.

clawed across his face.

Shifters don’t scar easily, but it isn’t impossible.

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61 Ava: Homecoming (III)

Like all alphas, he has an intimidating presence and a confident air that demands respect. But his eyes hold a cruel glint that has me cringing from eye contact.

He won’t stop staring at me, even as he talks with the

others.

I keep my gaze fixed on the plate in front of me. Alpha Renard’s intense stare burns into my face, making my skin prickle with unease. His eyes linger on the split in my lip, the abnormal color across my cheeks. They still throb.

voice breaks the tense silence. “What happened to

father clears his throat, his

willful

pack. It requires discipline to correct such

shiver runs down my spine at his words. I risk a glance, finding a sinister look come over Alpha Renard’s features. “I will take care of it,” he says, his tone sending an avalanche of chill

eyes boring into mine with an intensity that makes me want to shrink

Ava Homecoming (

his voice laced with a dark edge. “Why has the Aspen pack taken such

tight, the words caught

sense the

Aspen pack had me.

know everything, and

don’t, and I tell them

that be worse?

So I lie.

happened to be in a car with some rogue shifters they were chasing, and got injured. They took care of my wounds after that as an apology.” Mostly truth, but I can

a scent of deception?

I stab at a piece of buttery roasted potato, shoving it into my mouth. It tastes

Ava: Homecoming (III)

to fight to keep from gagging,

eating, maybe he won’t bother me.

But he does.

know you’re an omega, and the alpha forced you into a mating. We will fight back so you can regain your freedom. We are all family here. You

the pack. If they decide I’m a true omega, like Clayton did, I’ll never be able to escape that fate. I shake

giant fist on

the force. I flinch, shrinking

seat.

me, girl,” he snarls, his eyes flashing with barely contained rage. “We know all about your heat. How you threw yourself at the Aspen alpha,

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Ava: Homecoming

through the tension, dripping with disgust. “You’re an embarrassment to

Blackwood Pack, Ava.”

to me. Anger surges through my

say, my voice trembling despite my efforts to keep it steady. “You’re saying I threw myself at him, but you also just

eyes narrow, his jaw clenching. “Watch your tone, girl,” he snaps, his voice low