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.

breaks the tense silence. “What happened to

clears his throat, his voice strained with

become willful

It requires discipline

over Alpha Renard’s features. “I will take care of it,” he

eyes boring into mine

Homecoming (

“So tell me, Ava,” he says, his voice laced with a dark edge. “Why has

throat feels tight, the words

tongue. I can sense the challenge

had me. But how much

they know everything, and I

and

that be worse?

So I lie.

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

scent of deception? Or is it because he already

curdles, and I stab at a piece of buttery roasted potato, shoving it into my

Ava: Homecoming (III)

to fight to keep from gagging, chewing in a slow and

eating, maybe he won’t bother

But he does.

can regain your freedom. We are all family here.

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 never been given a

giant fist on the table, the dishes

flinch,

seat.

contained rage. “We know all about your heat. How you threw yourself

17:41

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Homecoming (III)

father’s voice cuts through the tension, dripping with disgust.

Blackwood Pack, Ava.”

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

it steady. “You’re saying I threw myself at

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