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

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

scarred face twisting with disdain. But then he shrugs, a casual roll of his shoulders that does nothing to dispel the

a sharp gesture. "Enough. Leave the girls to me. I'll whip them

and stalks away, leaving Lisa and I alone with our

some action already," he grunts, something like approval in his tone. "Good. Means you might just

I glance at her, seeing my own apprehension reflected

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

tell him, my voice steady despite the fear coiling in my gut. "Teach

his 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 makes my

he says finally, his voice 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

my chin, refusing 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.

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

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 do whatever it takes to protect the people

out there. In the real world, it's kill or be

the realities of this new world I've found myself in. But I refuse to let him see my fear, to let him think

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

shifter stares at me 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