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 bolder. We should respond.”

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Ava: Homecoming

the mention of that name,

and searing touches flooding my senses.

get word to him, would

It’s possible.

enough to

it’s better than relying on Phoenix.

our concerns right now,” my father

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

to hear my father’s response, my hands stilling in the soapy water. They knew about that?

began looking for me? To use me

get along well” Dad says

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Homecoming (VI)

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

many eyes between Blackwood and Westwood

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

her. It’s easy enough to neutralize

***

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

fingers tapping away at the

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64 Ava: Homecoming (VI)

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

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 tone

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 I’ve built for myself, to the people who have

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

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

I can practically see the

her head as she tries to decipher my

12

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Homecoming

want to talk to

as it