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I always knew they were a little outdated.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,

They’re stuck at the mercy

his child. At The Novel Grind, I would often see a father come in with his child, looking for a book or having them read while they do their work. It’s a scene I’ve never

home.

217

Homecoming (V)

think I ever

few months

you.

and Carlos, and Franklin. Of Clayton and Ivy. Of Lucas.

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

get me

going to

how quickly I can do it.

I don’t know how

could just run on foot, but I can’t shift. They’d catch me within hours. The only way to escape is with

boat, if we weren’t in the

country.

door interrupts my pacing, and I

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Homecoming (V)

a response. Alpha Renard strides in, smiling sweetly, but

poison to the little happiness I’ve managed to

fight the urge

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 the FɪndNøvel.ɴet website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of

a few things with you,

for whatever twisted scheme he has in store. “What did you

discuss?”

widens, and he guides me toward the couch, his grip/firm

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Ava: Homecoming

a scene. “Please, have a seat.

edge of

#25

hide their trembling. Renard settles beside me, entirely too close for my liking, but I force myself to remain still.

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

dalliances.”

ears, but I keep my expression blank, giving him no reaction to latch onto. Renard studies me for a moment, then continues.

to consort with humans, to let their females run wild–it’s no wonder you were drawn to them, in your confused