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 practically see the

back as a challenge.

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Homecoming

heart stutters at the mention of that name,

of intense golden eyes and searing touches

word to him, would

It’s possible.

treated me. But are his apologies enough

way, it’s better than

concerns right now,” my father

think they’re involved in

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

why they suddenly began looking for

and Aspen get along well”

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Ava: Homecoming

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

my stomach. There are too many eyes

they’re planning the mating between me

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

***

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

approach, her fingers tapping away at the screen with a single–minded focus. I hesitate, unsure of

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Ava: Homecoming (VI)

a respectful distance. “Hey, Jess,” I venture, my voice sounding too loud and unnatural. “How have you been?”

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

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

to Jessa. Not when I don’t know what she’s thinking. Is it possible she,

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

gaze narrows, and I can practically see the

her head as she tries

12

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Ava: Homecoming (VI))

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

force a smile, hoping it doesn’t look as strained as it feels. “I know we haven’t always seen eye to