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

his lips. “Westwood sent her back as a challenge. Lucas is getting bolder. We should respond.”

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Ava: Homecoming (VI)

the mention

searing touches flooding my senses. Lucas.

get word to

It’s possible.

apologies enough to put my hopes on him for an escape

better than relying on Phoenix.

father rumbles. “We need to focus on securing the borders.”

Pack? You don’t think they’re involved in this somehow? Isn’t it

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

suddenly began looking for me? To use me against him?

get along well” Dad

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Ava: Homecoming

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

There are too many

isn’t an option. More, they’re planning

argue that Aspen kidnapped her. It’s easy enough to

***

to see Jessa 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. It’s unsettling,

doesn’t even glance up from her phone as I approach, her fingers tapping away at the screen with a single–minded focus. I hesitate, unsure of how to proceed.

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Ava:

careful to maintain a respectful

lowers her phone and turns

What do I want? I want to be free of this suffocating house, this oppressive pack. I want to find my

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

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

gaze narrows, and I can practically see

turning in her head as she tries

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Ava: Homecoming

to talk to me?” she asks, her voice laced with suspicion.

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