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

themselves? Look 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

step forward, his posture radiating menace. “Let me make this clear,” he says, his voice low and dangerous. “Ava and Lisa’s wellbeing is

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

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 leader

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Life in

but Jericho cuts him off with a sharp gesture. “Enough. Leave the girls to me. I’ll whip them into

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

action already,” he grunts, something like approval in his tone. “Good. Means you might just survive

hand finding mine and squeezing. I glance at her, seeing my own. apprehension reflected in her eyes. Whatever training Jericho has in store for

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

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

slowly, his gaze raking

Avs Life in Westwood

I feel exposed, vulnerable in a way that makes my

crawl.

Alpha thinks are worth protecting. Can’t say I see it myself, but orders are orders.” He stops in front of me, his eyes boring into mine with an intensity that steals my breath. “You ever

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

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

slightly as she says, “I may not

Life in Westwood (II)

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 of

for the realities of this new world I’ve found myself in. But I refuse to let him see my fear, to let him think he’s won before we’ve even

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

a single, sharp jerk of his chin. “Alright then, girl. Let’s see what you’re made of.”

won’t.”

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

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97 Ava: Life in

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