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.”

under our Alpha’s protection,” Kellan grits out again, his patience clearly fraying.

pups. Soft. Weak.” He spits the words. like they’re poison on his

make this clear,” he says, his voice

Alpha Lucas. If anything happens to them under your watch, you’ll answer to

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

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in Westwood

a sharp gesture. “Enough. Leave the girls to

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

he grunts, something like approval in his tone. “Good. Means you might just survive what’s coming.”

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 be pleasant.

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

my chin lifting in silent challenge. “We’re ready,” I tell him, my voice steady

circles us slowly, his gaze raking

Life in Westwood

to exploit. I feel exposed, vulnerable in

crawl.

but orders are orders.”

done what I had to do to survive,” I say, my voice steady despite

instinct, about being willing to do whatever it takes to come out on top.” His

her hands 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

in Westwood

twist into a cruel smirk. “Pretty words, 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 of you lasting more than a

new world I’ve found myself in. But I refuse to let him

don’t quite feel. “Show us how to survive. We’re

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.

won’t.”

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

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Ava: Life

lip twists in a sneer. “You expecting an engraved invitation, girl? In the real world,