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

back as

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Ava: Homecoming (VI)

the

intense golden eyes and searing touches

I can somehow get word

It’s possible.

are his apologies enough to put my hopes on him for an

it’s better than relying

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

think they’re involved in this somehow? Isn’t it odd that Ava was found there, right after Lucas was seen

hear my father’s response, my

began looking for me? To use me against

along well” Dad

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Homecoming (VI)

neutralize Aspen. Once she’s mated to

too many eyes between Blackwood and Westwood to ever reach

even Clayton isn’t an option. More, they’re planning the mating between

It’s easy enough to neutralize them

***

eerily quiet, devoid

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

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64 Ava: Homecoming (VI)

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

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

want to be free of this suffocating house, this oppressive pack. I want to find my way back to the life I’ve built for myself, to the

not to Jessa. Not when I don’t know what she’s

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

narrows, and I can practically

her head as she tries to

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Ava: Homecoming

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

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