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.

Renard’s gruff voice breaks the tense silence. “What happened to your daughter’s face?”

his throat, his voice

become willful in her

the pack. It requires discipline to

look come over Alpha Renard’s features. “I will take care of it,” he says, his tone sending an avalanche of chill through me.

his eyes boring into mine with an intensity that makes me want to shrink

Ava Homecoming

says, his voice laced with a dark edge. “Why has the Aspen pack taken such an interest in you?”

the words

I can sense the challenge

me. But how much do

they know everything, and I lie, the consequences…

and I

that be worse?

So I lie.

of my wounds after that as an apology.” Mostly truth, but I can see by the twitch in Alpha Renard’s jaw that

of deception? Or is it because he already knows?

a piece of buttery roasted potato, shoving it into my mouth. It tastes like

Homecoming (III)

have to fight to keep from gagging, chewing

he

But he does.

an omega, and 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.”

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.

on the table, the dishes

the force. I flinch, shrinking back in my

seat.

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

17:41

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Homecoming (III)

cuts through the tension, dripping with

Blackwood Pack, Ava.”

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

my voice trembling despite my efforts to keep it steady. “You’re saying I threw myself at him, but you also just said Clayton forcefully

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