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 see

“Westwood sent her back as a challenge. Lucas is getting bolder. We

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Ava: Homecoming (VI)

stutters at the mention of that

golden eyes and searing touches flooding my senses. Lucas.

somehow get word to him,

It’s possible.

enough to put my hopes on him

than relying on Phoenix.

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

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

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

why they suddenly began looking for me? To

and Aspen get along well” Dad

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Homecoming (VI)

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

stomach. There are too many eyes between Blackwood and Westwood

option. More, they’re

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

***

venture downstairs. The house is eerily quiet, devoid of the usual

doesn’t even glance up from her phone as I approach, her fingers tapping away at the screen

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64 Ava: Homecoming

careful to maintain a respectful distance. “Hey, Jess,” I venture, my voice

respond immediately, and for a moment, I wonder if she even heard me. But then, with a sigh, she lowers her phone and turns to face me, her blue eyes. assessing. “Fine,” she says, her tone clipped. “What do you want,

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

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

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 two of us.”

narrows, and I can

as she

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Ava: Homecoming (VI))

“Since when do you want to talk to me?” she asks, her

doesn’t look as strained as it feels. “I know we haven’t