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

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

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Homecoming

stutters at the mention of that

searing

can somehow get word to him, would

It’s possible.

apologies enough to put my hopes on him for

way, it’s better than

our concerns right now,” my father

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

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

suddenly began looking for me? To

Aspen get along

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Ava: Homecoming

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

my stomach. There are too many eyes between Blackwood

More, they’re

that Aspen kidnapped her. It’s easy enough to neutralize them as a threat. So keep your focus on Westwood, and don’t worry

***

house is eerily quiet, devoid of the

tapping away at the screen

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Ava: Homecoming

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

she even heard me. But then, with a sigh, she lowers her phone and turns to face me, her blue

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

when I don’t know what she’s thinking. Is it possible she, too, worries about Phoenix’s standing in

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

I can

in her head as she tries to

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Ava: Homecoming

you want to talk to me?” she asks, her voice laced with suspicion.

it