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 practically see

of his lips. “Westwood sent her back as a challenge. Lucas is getting

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Ava: Homecoming (VI)

heart stutters at the mention of

and searing touches flooding my

I can somehow get word to him, would he…?

It’s possible.

me. But are his apologies enough

it’s better than relying

of our concerns right now,” my father rumbles. “We need to focus on securing the

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

father’s response, my hands

began looking for me? To

along well”

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Ava: Homecoming

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

knot forms in my stomach. There are too many eyes between Blackwood

More, they’re planning the mating between

is our pack, we can argue that Aspen kidnapped her. It’s easy enough to

***

morning when I venture downstairs. The house is eerily quiet, devoid

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

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64 Ava: Homecoming

couch near her, careful to maintain a respectful distance. “Hey, Jess,” I venture,

I wonder if she even heard me. But then, with a sigh, she lowers her phone and turns to face me, her

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

when I don’t know what she’s thinking. Is it possible she, too, worries about Phoenix’s standing

chat, I guess. It’s been a while since we’ve had a

narrows, and I can practically see

head as she tries to decipher

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Homecoming

talk to me?” she

a smile, hoping it doesn’t look as strained as it feels. “I know we