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

as a challenge. Lucas is getting bolder.

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Homecoming (VI)

heart stutters at the mention of

of intense golden eyes and searing touches

can somehow get word to

It’s possible.

But are his apologies enough to put my hopes on him

it’s better than relying on

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

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 there, right after Lucas was seen with her in

to hear my father’s response,

suddenly began looking for me? To

Aspen get along well” Dad

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Ava: Homecoming

neutralize Aspen.

forms in my stomach. There are too many

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

move without 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

***

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

glance up from her phone as I approach, her fingers tapping away

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64 Ava:

respectful distance. “Hey, Jess,” I venture, my voice

her phone and turns to face

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 the life I’ve built for myself, to the people who have become my family.

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

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

I can

in her head as she tries

12

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Ava: Homecoming

when do you want to talk to

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