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.”

scoffs, and I can practically

her back as a challenge. Lucas

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Ava: Homecoming

stutters at the mention

eyes and searing

get word to him, would he…?

It’s possible.

apologies enough to put my hopes on him for

way, it’s better than relying on Phoenix.

least of our concerns right now,” my father rumbles. “We

think they’re involved in this somehow? Isn’t it odd that Ava was found there, right after Lucas was seen

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

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

along well” Dad says

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Ava: Homecoming (VI)

with us. She’s our card to neutralize Aspen. Once she’s mated to the alpha,

are too many eyes between

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

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

***

when I venture downstairs. The house is eerily quiet, devoid of the usual bustle of my family’s

as I approach, her fingers tapping away at the screen

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64 Ava: Homecoming (VI)

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

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

want to be free of this suffocating house,

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 standing

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

I

as she tries to

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Ava: Homecoming (VI))

want to talk to me?” she asks,

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