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

12:43

<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I always knew they were a little outdated.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.

me,

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, if their mate

man alone with his child. At The Novel Grind, I would often see a father come in with his child, looking

home.

217

Ava: Homecoming

at Beaniverse, yes–but I don’t think I ever really noticed it then.

months of freedom will do for

you.

and Franklin. Of Clayton and Ivy. Of Lucas.

me. If they’re worried. How long they’ll stay

get me

to

just don’t know how quickly I can

I don’t know how to get anywhere without money.

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

I’d take a boat, if we weren’t

country.

door interrupts my pacing, and I frown

12:43

317

Homecoming

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

wrong–his eyes too calculating, his face too smarmy, his voice like poison to the little happiness I’ve managed to store within my soul.

out to touch my arm. I fight the urge to

throat feels tight, but I manage a nod, keeping my expression neutral. Renard’s gaze rakes over me, and I resist the instinct to cover myself, 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

“I wanted to discuss a few things with you, now that you’ve had some time to

swallow hard, bracing myself for whatever twisted scheme he has in store. “What did

discuss?”

toward the couch, his grip/firm

12.43

4/7

Ava: Homecoming (V)

have a seat. This might take a while.”

on the edge

#25

lap to hide their trembling. Renard settles beside me, entirely too

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,

dalliances.”

blank, giving him no reaction to latch onto. Renard studies me for a moment,

to consort with humans, to let their females run wild–it’s no 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