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.

tense silence. “What happened to your

throat, his voice strained

willful in her

the pack. It requires discipline to correct

words. I risk a glance, finding a sinister look come over Alpha Renard’s features. “I

boring into mine with an intensity that makes me

Homecoming (

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

the words caught like lead

on my tongue. I can sense the challenge in his question.

pack had me. But how much do they know?

know everything, and I

and I tell them everything–wouldn’t

that be worse?

So I lie.

rogue shifters they were chasing, and got injured. They took care of my wounds after that as an apology.” Mostly truth, but I can

I give off a scent of deception? Or is it

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

Ava: Homecoming (III)

have to fight to keep from gagging, chewing in a

maybe he won’t bother me.

But he does.

you can regain your freedom. We are all family here. You can talk to us.” Alpha Renard’s words are couched in a silken promise

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, desperate to deny his claims. “I’ve never

on the

I flinch, shrinking back in my

seat.

flashing with barely contained rage. “We know all about your heat. How you threw yourself at the Aspen alpha, begging him

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Ava: Homecoming

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

Blackwood Pack, Ava.”

truth are not unfamiliar to me. Anger surges through my veins, momentarily overpowering my fear.

myself at him, but you also just said Clayton

he snaps, his voice low