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

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

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Homecoming

the

golden eyes and searing touches

get word to

It’s possible.

me. But are his apologies enough to put my

better than

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

they’re involved in this somehow?

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

that why they suddenly began looking for

and Aspen get along well” Dad says grimly.

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Ava: Homecoming

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

There are too many eyes between Blackwood and Westwood to ever

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

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

***

lounging on the couch the next morning when I venture downstairs. The house is eerily quiet, devoid of the usual bustle of my

her fingers tapping away at

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64 Ava:

respectful

with a sigh, she lowers her phone and turns

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

Not when I don’t know what

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

I can practically see

head as she tries

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Homecoming

you want to talk to

look as strained as it feels. “I