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?

be dead within

clear," he says, his voice low and dangerous. "Ava and Lisa's wellbeing is of the utmost importance to Alpha Lucas. If anything happens to them under your watch,

his shoulders that does nothing to dispel

retort, but Jericho cuts him off with a sharp gesture. "Enough. Leave the girls to me.

turns on his heel and stalks away, leaving Lisa and I alone with our new mentor. Jericho eyes us

something like approval in

me, her hand finding mine and squeezing. I glance at her, seeing my own apprehension reflected in her eyes. Whatever training

I squeeze Lisa's hand back, drawing strength from her presence. We'll get

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

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

a rough rasp. "You're the ones the Alpha thinks are worth protecting. Can't say I see it myself, but orders are orders." He stops in front of

done what I had to do to survive," I say, my voice steady despite the fear thrumming through my

laugh, harsh and mocking. "Fighting ain't just about throwing fists, girl. It's about instinct, about being willing to do whatever it takes to come out on top." His gaze flicks to Lisa, dismissive. "And you? You look like you'd faint at the sight

she meets his stare head-on, her voice only wavering slightly as she says, "I may not be a fighter, but

mean shit out there. In the real world, it's kill or be killed. And right now, I

mouth gone dry. He's 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 see my fear, to let him think he's won before we've

my voice ringing with a conviction I don't quite feel. "Show us

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 with everything you've got. And don't hold back, because I sure as