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

lips. “Westwood sent her back as a challenge. Lucas is getting bolder. We

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Ava: Homecoming

at the mention

of intense golden eyes and searing touches

somehow get word to him,

It’s possible.

me. But are his apologies enough

way, it’s better than relying on

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

“What about the 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

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

why they suddenly began looking for me? To use

and Aspen get along well” Dad says grimly.

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Ava: Homecoming (VI)

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

There are too many eyes between Blackwood

an option. More, they’re planning

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

***

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

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

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Ava: Homecoming (VI)

maintain a respectful distance. “Hey,

even heard me. But then, with a sigh, she lowers her

be free of this suffocating house, this oppressive pack. I want to find my way back to

say any of that, not to Jessa. Not when I don’t know what she’s thinking. Is it

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

I

head as she tries to decipher my

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Ava: Homecoming

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

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