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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17

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.

Renard’s gruff voice breaks the tense silence. “What happened to your

clears his throat, his voice strained

has become willful in

pack. It requires discipline to correct such

glance, finding a sinister look come over Alpha Renard’s features. “I will take care of it,” he says, his tone

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

Homecoming

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

tight, the words caught

tongue. I can sense

Aspen pack had me. But how much do

everything, and I lie, the

don’t, and I

that be worse?

So I lie.

in a car with some rogue shifters they were chasing, and got injured. They took care of my wounds after that

scent of deception? Or is it

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

Homecoming

to keep from gagging, chewing in

maybe he

But he does.

will fight back so you can regain your freedom. We are all family here. You can talk to us.”

lungs. He’d wanted to breed me before I ever left the pack. If they decide I’m a true omega, like Clayton did, I’ll never be able to escape that fate. I shake

slams his giant fist on the table, the dishes

flinch, shrinking back

seat.

“We know all about your heat. How you threw yourself at the Aspen alpha, begging him

17:41

4417

Ava: Homecoming

dripping with disgust. “You’re

Blackwood Pack, Ava.”

truth are not unfamiliar to me. Anger

trembling despite my efforts to keep it steady. “You’re saying I threw myself at him, but you also just said Clayton forcefully mated me. So which

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