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 the

back as a

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Ava: Homecoming (VI)

heart stutters at the mention of that

searing touches flooding my senses. Lucas.

get word

It’s possible.

he treated me. But are his apologies enough to put my hopes on

than relying

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

“What about the Aspen Pack? You don’t think they’re involved in this somehow? Isn’t it odd that Ava was

my throat, and I strain to hear my father’s response, my hands stilling in the soapy

looking for me? To use me

and Aspen get along well” Dad

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Ava: Homecoming

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

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

they’re planning the mating between me and Alpha

her. It’s easy enough to neutralize them as a threat. So keep your focus on

***

eerily quiet, devoid of the usual bustle of my family’s presence. It’s unsettling, especially considering the events of last

away at the screen with a single–minded focus. I hesitate, unsure of how to

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Ava: Homecoming

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

a sigh, she lowers her phone and turns to face

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 the life I’ve built for

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

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

narrows, and I can practically see

as she

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Homecoming (VI))

do you want to talk to me?”

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