Tangled in Moonlight: Unshifted (Ava and Lucas)

Chapter 97 Ava: Life in Westwood (II)

"Ava, Lisa, this is Jericho. He's one of our most experienced enforcers and will be overseeing your training."

Kellan's introduction hangs in the air as I take in the man before me. Jericho's weathered face is a tapestry of scars, each one a story etched into his skin. His eyes, a piercing blue, seem to see right through me, assessing and calculating in equal measure, his scarred lip curling in disdain.

I force myself to stand tall, to meet his stare head-on.

"These are the whelps I'm meant to train? They look like they'd snap in a stiff breeze."

Kellan's jaw tightens. "Jericho, mind your tongue. Ava and Lisa are under the Alpha's protection. You will treat them with respect."

Jericho snorts, a harsh sound in the tense air between us.

The shifter's lip curls, exposing yellowed teeth. "Respect is earned, not given. They live or die by their own strength, not mine. If they can't handle it, that's not my problem."

"They're under our Alpha's protection," Kellan grits out again, his patience clearly fraying. "You just need to train them. Help them learn to defend themselves."

The shifter snorts, a harsh, derisive sound that sets my teeth on edge. "Defend themselves? Look at them, barely more than pups. Soft. Weak." He spits the words like they're poison on his tongue. "What's the point?

dead within a

"Ava and Lisa's wellbeing is of the utmost importance to Alpha Lucas. If anything happens to them under your watch, you'll

casual roll of his shoulders that does nothing to dispel the tension crackling in the air. "Fine. But the Alpha should have better priorities. A real leader doesn't waste time

with a sharp gesture. "Enough. Leave the

I

some action already," he grunts, something like approval in

my own apprehension reflected in her

about my life has been pleasant lately. I squeeze Lisa's hand back, drawing strength from her presence. We'll get through

meet Jericho's gaze head-on, my chin lifting in silent challenge. "We're ready," I tell him, my voice steady despite the fear coiling in my gut. "Teach us

gaze raking over every inch of our bodies like he's looking for weak spots to exploit. I feel exposed, vulnerable in a way that

Can't say I see it myself, but orders are orders." He stops in front of me, his eyes boring into mine with an intensity that steals my breath. "You ever even thrown

I had to do to survive," I say, my voice steady despite the fear thrumming through my veins. "I'm not afraid

about instinct, about being willing to do whatever it takes to come out on top." His gaze flicks to Lisa, dismissive.

says, "I may not be a fighter,

but they don't mean shit out there. In the real world, it's kill or be

right, of course. For all my bravado, I'm woefully unprepared for the realities of this new world I've found myself in. But I refuse to let him

my voice ringing with a conviction I don't quite feel. "Show us how to survive. We're not afraid to learn, to do

moment, his expression unreadable. Then he nods, a single, sharp jerk of his chin. "Alright then, girl. Let's see what you're made of." He takes a step back, his posture shifting into a loose, ready stance. "Come at me