Tangled

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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

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<97 Ava: Life in Westwood (II)

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

not my problem.”

out again, his patience clearly fraying. “You just need

sets my teeth on edge. “Defend themselves? Look at them, barely more than pups. Soft. Weak.” He spits the words.

“Let me make this clear,” he says, his voice

If anything happens to them under your watch, you’ll answer to him

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

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Ava: Life in Westwood (1)

opens his mouth to retort, but Jericho cuts him off with a sharp gesture. “Enough. Leave the girls to me. I’ll whip

last warning look, Kellan turns on his heel and stalks away, leaving Lisa and I alone with our new mentor. Jericho eyes us appraisingly, his gaze

like approval in his tone. “Good. Means you might just

shifts uneasily beside me, her hand finding mine and squeezing. I glance at her, seeing my own. apprehension reflected in her eyes. Whatever training Jericho has in store for us, it’s not going to

has been pleasant lately. I squeeze Lisa’s hand back,

tell him, my voice steady despite the fear

circles us slowly, his gaze raking

in

spots to exploit. I

crawl.

“You’re the ones the Alpha thinks are worth protecting. Can’t say I see it myself, but orders are orders.” He stops in front of me, his eyes

“I’ve done what I had to do to survive,” I say, my voice

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.”

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

Ava: Life in

smirk. “Pretty words, but they don’t mean shit out there. In the real world, it’s kill or be

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

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 takes.”

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.”

up, her confusion clear. “You mean, just… attack you? Right now?

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Life

twists in a sneer. “You expecting an engraved invitation, girl? In the real world, your enemies won’t