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.”

can

her back as a challenge. Lucas is getting bolder.

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Homecoming (VI)

heart stutters at the mention

golden eyes and searing touches flooding my

get word to him, would

It’s possible.

sorry for how he treated me. But are his apologies enough to put my hopes on him for

it’s better than relying on

father

You don’t think they’re involved in this somehow? Isn’t it odd that Ava was

catches in my throat, and I strain to hear my father’s response,

why they suddenly began looking for me? To use me

Aspen get along well” Dad

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Ava: Homecoming (VI)

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

are too many eyes between Blackwood and Westwood

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

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

***

eerily quiet,

phone as I approach, her fingers tapping away at the screen with a single–minded

12.44

4/8

Ava:

settle onto the couch near her, careful to maintain a respectful distance. “Hey, Jess,” I venture, my voice sounding

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

question catches me off guard, and I blink, trying to formulate a response. What do I want? I want to be free of this suffocating house, this oppressive

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

to chat, I guess. It’s been a while since we’ve had a chance to talk, just

gaze narrows, and I can practically see the

in her head as she tries to decipher

12

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Homecoming

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

look as strained as it feels.