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.

12:43

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.

gruff voice breaks the tense silence. “What happened to

throat, his voice strained

willful in her

It requires discipline to correct

finding a sinister look come over Alpha Renard’s

back to me, his eyes boring into mine with an intensity that makes me

Ava Homecoming

a dark edge. “Why has the Aspen pack taken such an

the words

my tongue. I can sense the

had me. But how much do

know everything, and

if they don’t, and I tell

that be worse?

So I lie.

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

give off a scent of deception? Or is it because he already

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

Ava: Homecoming

gagging, chewing in a slow

I’m eating, maybe he won’t

But he does.

can regain your freedom. We

my heart, squeezing the air from my 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 my head,

slams his giant fist on the table, the dishes

force. I flinch, shrinking

seat.

me, girl,” he snarls, his eyes flashing with barely contained rage. “We know all about your heat. How

17:41

4417

Homecoming

voice cuts through the tension, dripping with disgust. “You’re

Blackwood Pack, Ava.”

are not unfamiliar to me.

trembling despite my efforts to keep it steady. “You’re saying I threw myself at him,

girl,” he snaps, his voice low and dangerous.