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I always knew they were a little outdated.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.

me,

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 has

At The Novel Grind, I would often see a father come in with his child, looking for a book or

home.

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Homecoming (V)

I don’t think I ever really

months of

you.

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

they’re still thinking about me. If they’re worried. How long they’ll stay worried

get me wrong…

going to

how quickly I can

my brain, I don’t know how to get anywhere

They’d catch me within hours. The only way

I’d take a boat, if we

country.

on the door interrupts my pacing,

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317

Ava: Homecoming (V)

waiting for a response. Alpha Renard

poison to the little happiness I’ve managed to store within

out to touch my arm. I fight the urge

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 access chapters of

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

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

discuss?”

me toward the couch, his grip/firm enough that I can’t

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Ava: Homecoming

a seat. This might take a while.”

the edge of

#25

folded in my lap to hide their trembling. Renard settles beside me, entirely too close for my liking, but

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 then there’s the matter

dalliances.”

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

them, in your confused state. And yet look at the lies they give.