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.

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

father clears his throat, his voice strained with

has become willful

the pack. It requires discipline to correct such

over Alpha Renard’s features.

me, his eyes boring into mine with

Ava Homecoming

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

the words

sense the challenge in his

had me. But how much do

they know everything, and I lie, the consequences…

don’t, and I

that be worse?

So I lie.

care of my wounds after that as an apology.” Mostly truth, but I can see by the twitch in Alpha

give off a scent of deception?

I stab at a piece of buttery roasted potato, shoving

Ava: Homecoming (III)

I have to fight to keep from gagging,

maybe he won’t

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

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

on the table, the dishes

flinch, shrinking back in my

seat.

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

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Homecoming

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

Blackwood Pack, Ava.”

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

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 is it?

he snaps, his voice