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

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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.

throat, his

willful

the pack. It requires discipline to

my spine at his words. I risk a glance, finding a sinister look come over Alpha Renard’s features. “I will take

boring into mine with an intensity that

Ava Homecoming

Ava,” he says, his voice laced with a dark edge. “Why has the Aspen pack taken such an

feels tight, the words

I can sense the challenge in his

me. But how much do they

and I

and I

that be worse?

So I lie.

rogue shifters they were chasing, and got injured. They took care of my wounds after that as

give off a scent of deception?

piece of buttery roasted potato, shoving it

Homecoming

I have to fight to keep from gagging,

eating, maybe he won’t bother

But he does.

your freedom. We are all family here.

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

slams his giant fist on

from the force. I flinch, shrinking back

seat.

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

17:41

4417

Ava: Homecoming (III)

the tension, dripping with disgust. “You’re

Blackwood Pack, Ava.”

unfamiliar to me. Anger

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

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