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.”

fraying. “You just need to train them. Help

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

this clear,” he says,

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

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 should have better priorities. A real

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Life in Westwood (1)

to retort, but Jericho cuts him off with a sharp

Lisa and I alone with our new mentor. Jericho eyes us

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

squeezing. I glance at her, seeing my own. apprehension reflected in her eyes.

nothing about my life has been pleasant lately. I squeeze Lisa’s hand back, drawing strength from her presence. We’ll get through this together.

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

slowly, his gaze

in Westwood (1)

like he’s looking for weak spots to exploit. I feel exposed, vulnerable

crawl.

it myself, but orders are orders.” He

lift my chin, refusing to be cowed. “I’ve done what I had to do to survive,” I say, my voice steady despite

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.” His gaze flicks to Lisa, dismissive. “And you? You look like you’d faint at the

trembling at her sides. But 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

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it’s kill or be killed. And right now, I wouldn’t bet on either

this new world I’ve found myself in. But I refuse to let him see my fear, to let him

with a conviction I don’t quite feel. “Show us how to

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 me with

won’t.”

looks at Jericho with her face scrunched up, her confusion clear. “You mean, just… attack you? Right now? Just like

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Ava: Life in Westwood (1)

twists in a sneer. “You expecting an engraved invitation, girl? In the real world, your enemies won’t wait for you to be ready. They’ll