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.”

and I can practically

his lips. “Westwood sent her back as a challenge.

12:44

2/8

Ava: Homecoming (VI)

the mention

golden eyes and searing touches flooding my senses. Lucas.

I can somehow get word

It’s possible.

how he treated me. But are his apologies enough to put my hopes on him for an escape plan?

way, it’s better than relying on Phoenix.

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

“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

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

looking for

Aspen get along well”

12:44

3/8

Homecoming

we need to keep Ava with us. She’s our card to neutralize Aspen. Once she’s mated to the alpha,

too many eyes between Blackwood and Westwood to ever reach

option. More, they’re planning the mating between

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

***

when I venture downstairs. The house is eerily quiet, devoid of the usual bustle of my family’s presence. It’s unsettling, especially considering the

tapping away at the screen

12.44

4/8

64 Ava: Homecoming

near her, careful to maintain a respectful distance. “Hey, Jess,” I venture,

she lowers her phone and turns to face me, her blue eyes. assessing. “Fine,” she says, her tone clipped. “What do

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

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

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

I can practically see

head as

12

5/8

Homecoming

talk to me?” she asks,

look as strained as it feels. “I know we