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.

voice breaks the tense silence. “What happened to your

throat, his

“She has become willful in her time

pack. It requires discipline to correct

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

mine with

Ava Homecoming

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

the words caught like lead

can sense the

know the Aspen pack had me.

they know everything, and

they don’t, and I tell them

that be worse?

So I lie.

injured. They took care of my wounds

off a scent of deception? Or is

piece of buttery

Ava: Homecoming (III)

from gagging, chewing in

maybe he

But he does.

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

from my 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.

fist on the table, the dishes

I flinch,

seat.

snarls, his eyes flashing with barely contained rage. “We know all about your heat. How you threw yourself

17:41

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Ava: Homecoming

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

Blackwood Pack, Ava.”

not unfamiliar to me. Anger surges through my veins, momentarily overpowering

to keep it steady. “You’re saying I threw myself at him, but you also just said Clayton forcefully mated

girl,” he snaps, his voice