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

Lisa's wellbeing is of the utmost importance to Alpha Lucas.

like he might argue, his scarred face twisting with disdain. But then he shrugs, a casual roll of his shoulders that does nothing to dispel the tension crackling in the

him off with a sharp

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

already," he grunts, something like approval in his tone.

her hand finding mine and squeezing. I glance at her, seeing my own apprehension

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

in silent challenge. "We're ready," I tell him, my voice steady despite the fear coiling in my

every inch of our bodies like he's looking for weak

I see it myself, but orders are orders." He stops

to do to survive," I say, my

do whatever it takes to come out on top." His gaze flicks to Lisa, dismissive. "And you? You

says, "I may not be a fighter, but I'm not weak. I'll do whatever it takes to protect

kill or be killed. And right now, I wouldn't bet on

new world I've found myself in. But I

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

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