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 happened

father clears his throat,

has become willful in her time

discipline to correct such

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 an intensity that makes me want

Ava Homecoming

a dark edge. “Why has the Aspen

tight, the words caught like

tongue. I can sense the challenge in his question.

pack had me. But how much do they know?

everything, and

if they don’t, and I tell them everything–wouldn’t

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

scent of deception? Or

I stab at a piece of buttery roasted potato, shoving it

Homecoming

fight to keep from gagging,

eating, maybe he

But he does.

We will fight back so you can regain your freedom. We are all family here. You

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,

his giant fist on the table,

the force. I flinch,

seat.

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

17:41

4417

Ava: Homecoming (III)

cuts through the tension, dripping

Blackwood Pack, Ava.”

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

my voice trembling despite my efforts to keep it steady. “You’re saying I threw myself at him,

he snaps, his