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

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

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Ava: Homecoming

the mention of

and searing

I can somehow get word to him, would he…?

It’s possible.

enough to

way, it’s better than

my father rumbles. “We

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

and I strain to hear my father’s

that why they suddenly began looking for me? To

Aspen get along well” Dad

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Ava: Homecoming (VI)

our card to neutralize Aspen. Once she’s mated to

too many eyes between Blackwood and Westwood to

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

can’t move without the Council’s approval. Because Ava is our pack, we can argue that Aspen kidnapped her. It’s easy enough to neutralize

***

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

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: Homecoming (VI)

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

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

question catches me off guard, and I blink, 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

what she’s thinking.

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

gaze narrows, and I can practically see the

head as she tries to

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Ava: Homecoming

to me?” she asks, her

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