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

twist of his lips. “Westwood sent her back as

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Ava: Homecoming

stutters at the mention of

intense golden eyes and searing touches flooding my senses.

get word

It’s possible.

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

than

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

and then Phoenix speaks again, his voice low and dangerous. “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 seen

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

began looking for

get along well” Dad says grimly.

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Homecoming

neutralize Aspen. Once she’s mated

many eyes between

isn’t an option. More, they’re planning the mating between me and Alpha Renard.

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

***

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

glance up from her phone as I approach, her fingers tapping away at the screen with

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64 Ava:

to maintain a respectful

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

free of this suffocating house, this oppressive pack. I want to

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

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

narrows, and I

her head as she tries to decipher

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Homecoming

when do you want to talk to me?”

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