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.

12:43

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.

Renard’s gruff voice breaks the tense silence. “What happened

father clears his throat,

“She has become willful

pack. It requires discipline

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

boring into mine with an intensity

Ava Homecoming

voice laced with a dark edge. “Why has the Aspen pack taken such

the words

I can sense the challenge in his question.

had me. But how much do they

they know everything, and I

don’t, and I tell

that be worse?

So I lie.

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

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

of buttery roasted potato, shoving it into my mouth.

Homecoming

to fight to keep from gagging, chewing

eating, maybe he

But he does.

so you can regain your freedom.

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

his giant fist on

force. I flinch,

seat.

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

17:41

4417

Homecoming (III)

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

Blackwood Pack, Ava.”

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

it steady. “You’re saying I threw myself

Renard’s eyes narrow, his jaw clenching. “Watch your tone, girl,” he snaps, his voice