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.”

can

“Westwood sent her back as a challenge. Lucas is

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Ava: Homecoming

heart stutters at the

and searing touches flooding my senses. Lucas.

can somehow get word to him, would he…?

It’s possible.

sorry for how he treated me. But are his apologies enough

way, it’s better than

father

a pause, and then Phoenix speaks again, his voice low and dangerous. “What about the Aspen Pack? You don’t think they’re involved in this somehow?

father’s response, my hands stilling

they suddenly began looking for

along well” Dad says

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Ava: Homecoming (VI)

Aspen. Once she’s mated to the alpha, it will lend legitimacy to

stomach. There are too many eyes between Blackwood

even Clayton isn’t an option. More, they’re planning the mating between me

Aspen kidnapped her. It’s easy enough to neutralize them as a threat.

***

the couch the next morning when I venture downstairs. The house is eerily quiet, devoid of the

up from her phone as I approach, her fingers tapping away at the screen with a single–minded focus. I hesitate, unsure of

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Ava:

and settle onto the couch near her, careful to maintain a respectful distance. “Hey, Jess,” I venture, my

heard me. But then, with a sigh, she lowers her phone and turns to face me, her blue eyes. assessing. “Fine,”

of this suffocating house, this oppressive pack. I want to find my way back to the life I’ve

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

I shrug, aiming for nonchalance. “Nothing, really. Just wanted to chat, I guess. It’s been

and I can practically

in her head as she tries to decipher my

12

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Homecoming (VI))

“Since when do you want to talk to me?” she asks, her voice laced with

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