Tangled in Moonlight: Unshifted novel Chapter 60

60 Ava: Homecoming (II)

When Mom and Dad walk through the door, dinner isn’t ready, because I haven’t once left the couch.

I’m two episodes into a back–to–back marathon of Selene’s favorite show. Todd and his two goonies have tried to get me to cook, but I’ve ignored them at every

turn.

I find it interesting that they never once tried to physically drag me into the kitchen. They would have

before.

I don’t think it’s my attitude; they’re the kind who would beat it out of you, not back down.

So, it’s the order Phoenix gave. But why? What’s planned for me?

Before I left, it was to use me as a breeder for the pack. That isn’t the kind of future where I’m protected from beatings. That means there’s something more…

My stomach clenches. Do they know about my heat?

They have to..

There’s no other explanation.

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60 Ava: Homecoming (II)

If they know I went into heat, then they’ll likely know

about the supposed ‘true omega‘ designation Clayton’s pack had given me.

And if they think I’m that…

Shit.

When the front door opens, I don’t budge. Not a

muscle twitches.

I can smell Mom’s perfume before her heels click against the floor. Even without looking, I can imagine the pinched look on her face. “Ava Grey. Your brother spends all this time to find you and bring you home safely, and you can’t even make dinner to repay him?”

I don’t respond, keeping my eyes trained on the flickering TV screen.

“You may go,” she says, ostensibly to the shifters guarding me. I can feel Todd get up from the couch. The absence of his presence is a relief, even with my parents home.

Dad follows behind her, his broad frame filling the doorway. His eyes find me on the couch and his expression darkens. Without a word, he strides

famuard nlanting himself directly in front of the TV

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60 Ava: Homecoming (II)

I tilt my head back to meet his gaze, unflinching. His

eyes

bore into mine, a storm of emotions swirling in their depths. Anger, disappointment, id something else I can’t quite place–a hint of wariness, perhaps.

The tension in the room is palpable, thick enough to choke on. Mom’s cold stare digs into the side of my face, but I refuse to break eye contact with Dad. I won’t cower, not this time.

His jaw clenches, the muscles flexing beneath his weathered skin. For a moment, I think he might speak, might unleash the torrent of reprimands I’ve come to

expect.

But the words never come. He simply stands there, his gaze locked with mine, as if searching for something he can’t quite find.

Then he looks at Mom and says, “Have something delivered. The alpha will be here soon.”

The triumphant smile I want to have has to be hidden deep in my heart. There’s no point in pushing the

victory.

I return my gaze to the TV. “So good to see you’ve been so worried about me. So many questions about

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60 Ava: Homecoming (II)

how I’m doing, where I’ve been, am I okay. What a loving, caring family. We’re so close.”

Okay, maybe I should learn to keep my mouth shut, too. When did I develop this level of spine?

But honestly–two parents come home after their daughter’s been missing, and not a word out of their mouth is even fake concern.

His brow twitches and a muscle in his jaw clenches. “I see that you’ve become a degenerate in your absence. I’m letting it pass today because you’ve been through a lot, but make no mistake, Ava–you will behave when Alpha Renard arrives.”

movement, a sharp crack of flesh on flesh ringing through the room. My head snaps to the side with the force of the blow, and I taste copper as my lip splits open. Stars dance across my vision as the sting radiates through my cheek.