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.”

again, his patience clearly fraying.

them, barely more than pups. Soft. Weak.” He spits

this clear,” he says,

happens to them under your watch,

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 doesn’t waste time coddling weaklings.”

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Life in Westwood

Jericho cuts him off with a sharp gesture. “Enough. Leave the girls to me.

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

he grunts, something like approval in his tone. “Good. Means

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

my life has been pleasant lately. I squeeze Lisa’s hand back, drawing strength

“We’re ready,” I tell him,

his gaze raking over every

Life in

for weak spots to exploit. I feel exposed, vulnerable in a way

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

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

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

says, “I

Life in Westwood

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

hard, 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 my fear, to let him think

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

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

won’t.”

Jericho with her face scrunched up, her confusion clear. “You mean,

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Ava: Life in

an engraved invitation, girl? In the real world, your enemies won’t wait