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

sent her back as a challenge.

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Ava: Homecoming

stutters at the mention of that

searing touches flooding my

somehow get word to him,

It’s possible.

enough to put my hopes on him for an escape

it’s better than relying

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

Aspen Pack? You don’t think they’re involved in this somehow? Isn’t it odd

father’s response, my hands stilling in the soapy

why they suddenly began looking for me? To use me against

and Aspen get along well” Dad says

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Ava: Homecoming

Ava with us. She’s our card to neutralize Aspen.

many eyes between Blackwood

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

without the Council’s approval. Because Ava is our pack, we can argue that Aspen kidnapped her. It’s easy enough to neutralize them as a

***

to see Jessa lounging on the couch the next morning when I venture downstairs. The house is eerily quiet,

even glance up from her phone as I approach, her fingers tapping away at the screen with

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Ava:

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

her phone and turns to face me, her blue eyes. assessing. “Fine,”

be free of this suffocating house, this oppressive pack.

I can’t say any of that, not to Jessa. Not when I don’t know what she’s thinking. Is it possible she, too, worries about Phoenix’s

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

narrows, and I can

turning in her head as

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Ava: Homecoming

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

it doesn’t look as strained as it feels. “I know