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.

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

father clears his throat, his voice strained

has become willful

the pack. It requires discipline

risk a glance, finding a sinister look come over Alpha Renard’s features. “I will take care of it,” he says,

boring into mine

Homecoming (

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

the words caught like

on my tongue. I can sense the challenge in

had me. But how

they know everything, and I lie, the consequences…

if they don’t, and I tell

that be worse?

So I lie.

took care of my wounds after that as an apology.” Mostly truth, but

a scent of deception?

I stab at a piece of buttery roasted potato, shoving it into my mouth. It tastes

Ava: Homecoming

gagging, chewing

I’m eating, maybe he won’t bother

But he does.

back so you can regain your freedom. We are all family here. You can talk to

ever left the pack. If they decide I’m a true omega, like Clayton did, I’ll never be able to

giant fist on the table, the dishes

from the force. I flinch, shrinking back

seat.

with barely contained rage. “We know all about your heat. How you

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Homecoming

the tension, dripping with disgust.

Blackwood Pack, Ava.”

unfamiliar to me. Anger

threw myself at him,

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