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

sent her back as

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Homecoming (VI)

at the mention of that name,

golden eyes and searing touches flooding my

I can somehow get word to him,

It’s possible.

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

better than relying on Phoenix.

least of our concerns right now,” my father

don’t think they’re involved in this somehow? Isn’t

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

why they suddenly began looking for

get along well” Dad says

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Homecoming

keep Ava with us. She’s our card to neutralize Aspen. Once she’s

There are too many eyes between Blackwood and Westwood to ever

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

her. It’s easy enough to neutralize them as a threat.

***

to see Jessa lounging on the couch the next morning 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 events of last

her phone as I approach, her fingers tapping away at the screen with a single–minded focus. I hesitate, unsure of

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Ava: Homecoming (VI)

maintain a respectful distance. “Hey, Jess,” I

for a moment, I wonder if she even heard me. But then, with a sigh, she lowers her phone and turns

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

I can’t say any of that, not to Jessa. Not when I don’t know what she’s thinking. Is it possible she, too, worries about Phoenix’s standing in the

for nonchalance. “Nothing, really. Just wanted to chat, I guess. It’s been a while since we’ve had a chance

narrows, and I can practically see

in her head as she tries to decipher

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Homecoming (VI))

“Since when do you want to talk to me?”

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