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.

silence. “What happened to

clears his throat, his voice strained

willful

It requires discipline to

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

to me, his eyes boring into mine with an intensity that makes me want to

Homecoming

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

feels tight, the

sense the challenge in

know the Aspen pack had me. But how

and I

they don’t, and I tell them everything–wouldn’t

that be worse?

So I lie.

I 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 can see by the twitch in

give off a scent of deception? Or is it because he already knows?

at a piece of buttery roasted potato,

Ava: Homecoming

fight to keep from gagging, chewing in a slow and methodical fashion.

I’m eating, maybe he

But he does.

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

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

giant fist on the table, the dishes

the force. I flinch, shrinking back in

seat.

“We know all about your heat. How you threw yourself at the Aspen alpha, begging

17:41

4417

Homecoming (III)

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

Blackwood Pack, Ava.”

are not unfamiliar to me. Anger surges through my

steady. “You’re saying I threw myself at him, but

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