Tangled

S~ᴇaʀᴄh the Find ɴøᴠel.nᴇt website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

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

1. us.

The shifter’s lip curls, exposing yellowed teeth.

“Respect is earned, not given. They live or die by their

12.31 O

<97 Ava: Life in Westwood (II)

own strength, not mine. If they can’t handle it, that’s

not my problem.”

again, his patience clearly fraying. “You just need to train them. Help them learn to

at them, barely more than pups. Soft. Weak.” He spits the words. like they’re poison on his tongue. “What’s the point? They’ll be dead within a week out there.”

takes a step forward, his posture radiating menace. “Let me make this clear,” he says, his voice

them under your watch, you’ll answer to him directly. Do you understand?”

the shifter looks 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 air. “Fine. But the Alpha

13:31

in Westwood (1)

retort, but Jericho cuts him off with a sharp gesture. “Enough. Leave the

and I alone with our new mentor. Jericho eyes us appraisingly, his

like you’ve seen some action already,” he grunts, something like approval in his tone. “Good. Means

at her, seeing my own. apprehension reflected in her eyes. Whatever training Jericho has in store for us, it’s not

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

chin lifting in silent challenge. “We’re ready,” I tell him, my voice steady despite the fear coiling in my gut. “Teach

slowly, his gaze raking over

Avs Life in Westwood

for weak spots to exploit. I

crawl.

it myself, but orders are

survive,” I say, my voice steady despite the fear thrumming through my veins. “I’m

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

she meets his stare head–on, her voice only wavering slightly as she says, “I may not be a fighter,

in Westwood (II)

smirk. “Pretty words, but they don’t mean shit out there. In the real world, it’s kill or be killed. And right now, I wouldn’t bet on either

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

I say, my voice ringing with a conviction I don’t quite feel. “Show us how to survive. We’re not afraid to learn,

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

won’t.”

her confusion clear. “You mean, just…

10.31

5/7

Life

invitation, girl? In the real world, your enemies won’t wait for you to be ready.