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

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

12:44

2/8

Ava: Homecoming (VI)

heart stutters at the

of intense golden eyes and searing touches

somehow get word to him,

It’s possible.

enough

way, it’s better than

right now,” my father

again, his voice low and dangerous. “What about the Aspen Pack? You don’t think they’re involved in this somehow? Isn’t it odd that Ava was found

to hear my father’s response, my hands stilling

why they suddenly began looking for me? To use me

along

12:44

3/8

Homecoming

She’s our card to neutralize Aspen.

in my stomach. There are too many eyes between Blackwood and

an option. More, they’re planning

the Council’s approval. Because 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 presence. It’s unsettling, especially considering the events of last night.

glance up from her phone as I approach, her fingers tapping away at the screen with

12.44

4/8

Ava: Homecoming

her, careful to maintain a respectful distance. “Hey, Jess,” I venture, my voice

But then, with a sigh, she lowers her phone

want to be free of this suffocating house, this oppressive

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

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

gaze narrows, and I

her head as she

12

5/8

Ava: Homecoming

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

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