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.”

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

than pups. Soft. Weak.” He spits the words. like they’re

clear,” he says, his voice low and dangerous. “Ava and Lisa’s wellbeing

Lucas. If anything happens to them under your watch, you’ll answer to him directly. Do you

that does nothing to dispel the tension crackling in the air. “Fine. But the Alpha should have better priorities.

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Life in Westwood (1)

Jericho cuts him off with a sharp gesture.

and stalks away, leaving Lisa and I alone with our new mentor. Jericho eyes us appraisingly, his gaze lingering

like approval in his

hand finding mine and squeezing. I glance at her, seeing my own. apprehension reflected in her

nothing about my life has been pleasant lately. I squeeze Lisa’s

ready,” I tell him, my voice steady despite the fear coiling in my gut. “Teach

slowly, his gaze raking over every

in Westwood (1)

I feel exposed, vulnerable in a way that makes

crawl.

myself, but orders are orders.” He stops in

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

about being willing to do whatever it takes to come out on top.” His gaze flicks to

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 whatever it takes to

in

kill or be killed. And right now, I wouldn’t bet on either of you lasting

I’m woefully unprepared for the realities of this new world

conviction I don’t quite feel. “Show us how to survive. We’re not afraid to learn, to do whatever

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 me with everything you’ve got. And don’t hold back, because

won’t.”

confusion clear. “You mean,

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97 Ava: Life in Westwood (1)

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