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. “You just need to train them. Help them learn to defend themselves.”

than pups. Soft. Weak.” He spits the words. like they’re poison on his tongue. “What’s the point? They’ll

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 answer to him directly. Do

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

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in Westwood

opens his mouth to retort, but Jericho cuts him off with a sharp gesture. “Enough. Leave the girls to me. I’ll whip

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

already,” he grunts, something like approval in his tone.

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

lately. I squeeze Lisa’s hand back, drawing strength

head–on, my chin lifting in silent challenge. “We’re ready,” I tell him, my voice steady despite the fear coiling in my gut.

circles us slowly, his gaze raking

Life in Westwood (1)

like he’s looking for weak spots to exploit. I feel exposed, vulnerable in a way that makes my

crawl.

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

do to survive,” I say, my voice steady despite the fear thrumming through my

to do whatever it takes to come out

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

Life in Westwood (II)

there. In the real world, it’s kill or be killed. And right now, I wouldn’t bet

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

“Show us how to survive. We’re not afraid to

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

won’t.”

Jericho with her face scrunched up, her confusion clear. “You mean, just… attack you?

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97 Ava: Life

the real world, your enemies won’t wait for you to be ready. They’ll strike hard