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.

his throat, his voice strained with

become willful in

discipline to

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

shifts back to me, his eyes boring into mine with

Homecoming

dark edge. “Why has the

feels tight, the words caught like lead

can sense the challenge in

know the Aspen pack had me. But how much

everything, and

they don’t, and I tell them

that be worse?

So I lie.

took care of my wounds after that as an apology.”

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

I stab at a piece of buttery roasted

Homecoming

I have to fight to keep from gagging, chewing in a slow and methodical

I’m eating, maybe he won’t bother

But he does.

back so you can regain your freedom. We are all family here. You can talk to us.” Alpha

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

giant fist on the table, the dishes

I flinch, shrinking back in my

seat.

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

17:41

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Homecoming

father’s voice cuts through the tension, dripping with disgust. “You’re an embarrassment

Blackwood Pack, Ava.”

are not unfamiliar to me. Anger surges

a 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

girl,” he