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.”

Alpha’s protection,” Kellan grits out again, his patience clearly fraying. “You just need to train them. Help them learn

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

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

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

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.

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Life in Westwood

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

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

approval in his tone.

her, seeing my own. apprehension

nothing about my life has been pleasant lately. I squeeze Lisa’s hand back, drawing strength from her

challenge. “We’re ready,” I tell him, my voice steady despite

his gaze raking over every

Avs Life in Westwood

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

crawl.

are worth protecting. Can’t say I see it myself, but orders are orders.” He stops in front of

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 veins. “I’m not afraid to

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

his stare head–on, her voice only wavering slightly as she says, “I may not be a fighter,

in

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 minute in

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

ringing with a conviction I don’t quite feel. “Show

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,

won’t.”

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

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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 strike hard and fast, without