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

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

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

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

look, Kellan turns on his heel and stalks away, leaving Lisa and I alone

grunts, something like approval in his

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

lately. I squeeze Lisa's hand

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

for weak spots to exploit. I

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

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

do whatever it takes to come out on top." His gaze

voice only wavering slightly as she says, "I may not be a fighter, but I'm not weak. I'll do whatever it takes to

it's kill or be killed. And right

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 even

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

jerk of his chin. "Alright then, girl. Let's see what you're made of." He takes