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.”

scoffs, and I can practically

of his lips. “Westwood sent her back as a

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Ava: Homecoming (VI)

the mention

of intense golden eyes and searing touches flooding

can somehow get word to

It’s possible.

his apologies enough to put my hopes on him for

better than relying on Phoenix.

my father rumbles. “We need to focus on

dangerous. “What about the Aspen Pack? You don’t think they’re involved in this somehow? Isn’t

and I strain to hear my father’s response, my hands stilling in the soapy water. They knew about that?

for me? To

get along well” Dad says

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Homecoming (VI)

neutralize Aspen. Once she’s

are too many eyes between Blackwood

an option. More, they’re planning

we can argue that Aspen kidnapped her. It’s easy enough to neutralize them

***

on the couch the next morning when I venture downstairs. The house is eerily quiet, devoid of

her fingers tapping away at the screen with a single–minded

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Ava: Homecoming

and settle onto the couch near her, careful to maintain a respectful distance. “Hey, Jess,” I venture,

then, with a sigh, she lowers her phone and turns to face me, her blue eyes. assessing. “Fine,” she says, her tone

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

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

“Nothing, really. Just wanted to chat, I guess. It’s been a while

I

turning in her head as she tries

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Ava: Homecoming

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

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