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 practically

as a challenge. Lucas

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Ava: Homecoming

stutters at the mention

of intense golden eyes and searing

somehow get word

It’s possible.

sorry for how he treated me. But are his apologies enough to put my hopes on

way, it’s better than relying on Phoenix.

now,” my father rumbles. “We need to focus on

again, his voice low and dangerous. “What about the Aspen Pack? You don’t think they’re involved in this somehow? Isn’t it odd

my father’s response, my hands stilling in the soapy water. They knew

began looking for

and Aspen get along well” Dad

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Ava: Homecoming

Aspen. Once she’s

are too many eyes between Blackwood and Westwood to ever reach

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

approval. Because Ava is our pack, we can argue that Aspen kidnapped her. It’s easy enough to neutralize them as a threat. So keep your focus on Westwood, and don’t worry about

***

on the couch the next morning when I venture downstairs. The house is eerily quiet, devoid of the usual bustle of my family’s presence. It’s

as I approach, her fingers tapping away at

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64 Ava: Homecoming (VI)

to maintain a respectful distance. “Hey, Jess,” I venture, my voice sounding too loud and unnatural. “How have you

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

I blink, trying to formulate a response. What do I want? I want to be free of this suffocating house, this

know what she’s thinking. Is it possible she, too, worries

chat, I guess. It’s been a

I

turning in her head as she tries to decipher

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Ava: Homecoming

do you want to talk to me?” she asks,

as strained as it feels. “I know