Tangled

63 Ava: Homecoming (V)

The next few days are agonizing.

1

There are shifters outside my house every hour of the

day.

Mom and Dad have disappeared, doing… Honestly, I don’t know what they’re doing.

Phoenix was never around much to begin with, so I’m not surprised that I don’t see him.

It occurs to me that I haven’t seen Jessa even once

since I’ve been home, but, again, not really surprised. It

isn’t like we were ever close.

So I pace in my childhood home, trapped, with no idea what’s coming next, building nightmare after

nightmare of assumptions in my mind. Sometimes I catch Selene’s show on TV and watch that. Other times I watch the news, a habit I’ve gotten used to since working at The Novel Grind. Mrs. Elkins often had it on in the background.

It’s amazing how sheltered I was from the human world, even when living in it. I see why Dad never let

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<63 Ava: Homecoming (V)

me watch the news; it’s enlightening to see how things. are outside of the views of your pack.

I always knew they were a little outdated. After being in the Aspen territory, I’ve learned that my family pack is barely out of the Dark Ages. Now that my eyes have been opened, there are so many details I can pick out that are just wrong.

The fact that I had a phone at all was a miracle–of course, I bought it with my own money.

Jessa begged Dad for one when she was twenty–one, and he relented. But so many women in the pack don’t have a cell phone at all. My dad is sometimes

considered a little too lenient on his women.

for me, of

also the fashion. Married she–wolves don’t go out much, and don’t have jobs. They’re stuck at the mercy of their mates,

The Novel Grind, I would often see a father come in with his child, looking for a book or having them read while they

home.

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Homecoming

I don’t think I ever really noticed

a few months of freedom

you.

Carlos, and Franklin. Of Clayton and

they’re still thinking about me. If they’re worried. How long they’ll stay worried for, and when

me wrong…

to escape.

quickly I

matter how much I wrack my brain, I don’t know how to get anywhere without money.

catch me within hours. The only way to escape

boat, if we weren’t in the middle

country.

on the door interrupts my pacing,

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Homecoming

the door opens without waiting for a response. Alpha Renard strides in, smiling sweetly, but the

poison to the

my dear,” he croons, reaching out to touch my arm. I fight the urge to recoil. “I trust you’re settling back in

even though I’m fully dressed. There’s something predatory in the way he looks at me that makes my skin crawl. There’s no desire there, only a sick assumption of possession. Sᴇaʀ*ᴄh

squeezing my arm. “I wanted to discuss a few things with you,

myself for whatever twisted scheme he has in store. “What

discuss?”

guides me toward the couch, his grip/firm enough that I

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Ava: Homecoming (V)

a scene. “Please, have a seat. This might take a while.”

on the edge of the cushions, my

#25

their trembling. Renard settles beside me, entirely too close for my liking,

deceptively gentle, “your situation is unique, to say the least. A woman of your age, unmated and unshifted–it’s quite the conundrum. You have no direction, no purpose. These are all things you need to get your mind off your lack of a wolf.” He clicks his tongue, his gaze hardening just a bit. “And

dalliances.”

pounds in my ears, but I keep my expression blank, giving him no reaction to latch onto. Renard

wonder you were drawn to them, in your confused state. And yet look at the lies they give. Their own alpha took advantage of you in your weakened state, instead of protecting you.” He