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.”

protection,” Kellan grits out again, his patience clearly fraying.

barely more than pups. Soft. Weak.” He spits the words. like they’re poison on his tongue. “What’s the

he says, his voice low and dangerous. “Ava

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

a moment, the shifter looks like 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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Life in

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

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

like you’ve seen some action already,” he grunts, something like approval

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

then, nothing about my life has been pleasant lately. I squeeze Lisa’s hand back, drawing strength from her presence. We’ll get through

I tell him, my voice steady

gaze

Life in Westwood

I feel exposed, vulnerable in a

crawl.

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

to survive,” I say, my voice steady despite the fear thrumming through my veins. “I’m not afraid to fight.”

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

says, “I may not be a fighter, but I’m not weak. I’ll do whatever

in

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

woefully unprepared for the realities of this new world I’ve found myself in. But I refuse to let him

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

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 everything you’ve got. And don’t hold back,

won’t.”

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

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97 Ava: Life in

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