Tangled in Moonlight: Unshifted (Ava and Lucas)

Chapter 105 Ava: Training (II)

Halfway around the track, Jericho pops up again.

There's never been a person I've love-hated as much as him, and I have a fucked up family that inspires all kinds of hate to go with the love a family shares.

"What," I grunt as I lunge forward, stretching my legs and dipping down with my wildly weak arms. They're beyond trembling. They're like jello, and I can barely raise the dumbbells from my sides.

But I don't stop.

"Straighten your back," Jericho growls, eyeing my pose critically. "Keep your core tight."

I adjust my stance, trying to maintain balance as my leg muscles quiver. Jericho grunts, apparently finding my form acceptable, before shoving something at me.

"Here. Two pound dumbbells. Never had to start someone so low before."

I glance down at the weights, surprised to see they're a cute, bright pink color. They look pristine, like they've never been touched.

"Did you have someone buy these for me?" The question slips out before I can stop myself.

Jericho's eyes narrow. "None of your business," he barks, turning on his heel and storming off towards Lisa, who's struggling through her own set of lunges.

I can't help but giggle—in my head, because I have no breath to spare—as I continue the exercise, the small weights clutched in my hands. Despite Jericho's gruff demeanor, the fact that he went out of his way to get these for me sends a unexpected wave of warmth through my chest.

It's a small gesture, but it speaks volumes. Beneath his tough exterior, maybe Jericho isn't quite as cold as he seems.

"Lift those arms higher, Grey! You think this is a game?" Jericho's voice cuts through my momentary warmth like a knife.

my teeth, forcing my arms up despite the burn radiating through my muscles. Sweat pours down my face, stinging

bastard after all.

glare at him through the strands of hair plastered to my forehead. He meets my gaze, unflinching, a smirk playing at the corners of his

I say you could stop? Keep going!" He barks, folding his arms across

the urge to throw one of these pretty pink dumbbells at his head. Barely. Instead, I force myself to continue, each lift

sure this is what dying feels like. But I won't give Jericho the satisfaction of seeing me quit. I'll finish this

on, Ava! You got this!" Lisa calls out from somewhere to my

yells at her, too. Poor

her support. We're in

have to do this. For myself, for

the exhaustion, the

waged against my own limitations. But I keep

I have no idea how long it's been. I'm basically dead

shaking arms.

all the Westwood wolves go through this level

unintentionally spoken question. "Not a single Westwood wolf is born as weak as you are right

the energy, I'd

don't have

I said, I'm basically

the energy to talk after everything. "Hey, this isn't fair! You're putting me through shifter-level training,

mean, I'm basically human

breath, just loud enough for us to hear. "Please. These are conditions for

point out weakly, having at some point falling to the ground to

can't even walk until