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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17

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

clears his throat, his voice

willful in her

pack. It requires discipline

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

into mine

Homecoming

a dark edge. “Why has the Aspen pack taken

feels tight, the words

on my tongue. I can sense the challenge

know the Aspen pack had me. But how

and I lie, the consequences…

they don’t, and

that be worse?

So I lie.

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

I give off a scent of deception? Or

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

Homecoming

gagging, chewing in a slow

eating, maybe he won’t

But he does.

the alpha forced you into a mating. We will fight back so you can regain your freedom. We are all family here. You can talk to us.” Alpha Renard’s words are couched in

I’m a true omega, like Clayton did, I’ll never be able to

giant fist on the table, the

I flinch, shrinking back in my

seat.

know all about your heat. How

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Homecoming (III)

voice cuts through the tension, dripping with

Blackwood Pack, Ava.”

the truth are not unfamiliar to me. Anger surges through my

steady. “You’re saying I threw myself at him, but you also just said Clayton forcefully mated me. So which is it? What’s the truth?”

eyes narrow, his jaw clenching. “Watch your tone, girl,” he snaps, his voice low and