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

voice low and dangerous. "Ava and Lisa's wellbeing is of the utmost importance to Alpha Lucas. If anything happens

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 air. "Fine. But the Alpha should have better priorities. A real leader

but Jericho cuts him off with a sharp gesture. "Enough. Leave the girls to me. I'll whip them into

stalks away, leaving Lisa and I

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

seeing my own apprehension

Lisa's hand back, drawing strength from her presence.

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

his gaze raking over every inch of our bodies like he's looking for weak spots to exploit. I feel

are orders." He

to be cowed. "I've done what I had to do to survive," I say, my voice steady despite the fear thrumming through my veins. "I'm not

barks out a 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

hands trembling at her sides. But she meets his stare head-on, her voice only wavering slightly as she says, "I may not be a fighter, but I'm not weak. I'll

In the real world, it's kill or be killed. And right now, I wouldn't bet on either of

hard, my 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

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

chin. "Alright then, girl. Let's see what you're made of." He takes a step back,