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.

the tense silence. “What happened to your

throat, his

willful

It requires discipline to correct such

my 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 of chill

his eyes boring into mine with an intensity

Ava Homecoming

his voice laced with a dark edge. “Why

the

sense the

the Aspen pack had me. But

know everything, and

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

that be worse?

So I lie.

know. 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,

scent of deception? Or is it

piece of buttery roasted potato,

Ava: Homecoming (III)

fight to keep from gagging, chewing in a slow

maybe he

But he does.

omega, and the alpha forced you into a mating. We will fight back so you can regain your freedom. We are

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 never been given a pack designation. I’m not an omega.”

fist on the table, the dishes

I flinch, shrinking back

seat.

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

17:41

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Ava: Homecoming (III)

tension, dripping with

Blackwood Pack, Ava.”

unfamiliar to me. Anger surges through my veins, momentarily overpowering my fear.

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

tone, girl,” he snaps, his voice low and dangerous. “You