Tangled

64 Ava: Homecoming (VI)

Hot water scalds my hands as I scrub dishes in mindless monotony. Anger. Fear. Despair. They all churn together in a toxic mix that threatens to drown

1. me.

I have to stay strong, stay focused. Alpha Renard has

made his intentions clear.

The plates clatter against each other as I rinse them, the sound almost therapeutic in its familiarity. This is what my life has been reduced to–cleaning up after my family, tiptoeing around their expectations, their rules, their control. A mere shadow in my own home.

Muted voices drift in from the other room, and it’s

impossible not to overhear the tense exchange between Phoenix and my father.

“…even more reports of rogues crossing the border,” Phoenix growls, his voice laced with anger. “We can’t let them encroach on our territory.”

My father’s response is quieter, but no less stern. “Have you confirmed the sightings? This has to be done carefully, or else the Council can intervene.”

64 Ava: Homecoming (VI)

“We can’t afford to be complacent,” Phoenix snaps.

What does the Council have to do with rogues? Every pack has the right to deal with rogues as they wish. My confusion has me straining my ears to hear more.

“Easy, son.” My father’s tone is placating, but there’s an undercurrent of steel beneath it. “Just handle this

discreetly. As long as we’re only touching the rogues, no one can do anything. They’re just learning from our game. As long as there’s no evidence, the Council can’t

touch us.”

“That means the Council can’t touch them, either,” Phoenix growls.

“All in due time. We just have to wait a little longer, and everything will be set.”

“It would have been better if Jessa had managed to stay there.”

“She didn’t, so there’s little point in worrying about it.”

I can practically

back as a

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Ava: Homecoming (VI)

at the

and searing touches flooding my

can somehow get word

It’s possible.

enough to put my hopes

way, it’s better than

now,” my father rumbles. “We

Aspen Pack? You don’t think they’re involved in this somehow? Isn’t it odd that Ava was found there, right after Lucas was seen with her in the

in my throat, and I strain to hear my father’s response, my hands stilling in the soapy water.

suddenly began looking for me? To

and Aspen get along well” Dad says

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Homecoming

us. She’s our card to neutralize Aspen. Once she’s mated to the alpha, it will lend legitimacy to our

my stomach. There are too many eyes between Blackwood

and even Clayton isn’t an option. More, they’re planning

argue that Aspen kidnapped her. It’s easy enough to neutralize them as a threat. So keep your focus on Westwood,

***

downstairs. The house is eerily quiet,

fingers tapping away at the screen with a single–minded focus. I hesitate, unsure of how to proceed.

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64 Ava: Homecoming

take a deep breath and settle onto the couch near her, careful to maintain a respectful distance. “Hey, Jess,” I venture, my voice sounding too loud and unnatural. “How

But then, with a sigh, she lowers her phone and turns to face me, her blue

be free of this suffocating house, this oppressive pack. I want to find my way back to the life I’ve built for myself,

when I don’t know what she’s thinking. Is it possible she, too, worries

nonchalance. “Nothing, really. Just wanted to chat, I guess. It’s been a while since we’ve

gaze narrows, and I can practically see

head as she tries to decipher my

12

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Ava: Homecoming (VI))

“Since when do you want to talk to me?” she

as it feels. “I know we haven’t always seen eye to eye,