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

clears his throat, his voice strained with

has become willful in her time

pack. It requires discipline to correct such behavior.”

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

eyes boring into mine with an intensity

Ava Homecoming

with a dark edge. “Why has the Aspen pack

throat feels tight, the

my tongue. I can sense the challenge

Aspen pack had me. But

they know everything, and I

they don’t, and I

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

of deception? Or is it

of buttery roasted potato, shoving it

Homecoming

from gagging, chewing in a slow and

eating, maybe he won’t bother me.

But he does.

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

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,

on

the force. I flinch, shrinking back in

seat.

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

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Ava: Homecoming

dripping with disgust. “You’re an

Blackwood Pack, Ava.”

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

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

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