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.”

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

snorts, a harsh, derisive sound that sets my teeth on edge. “Defend themselves? Look at them, barely more than pups. Soft. Weak.” He spits the words. like they’re poison on his tongue. “What’s the point? They’ll be dead within a week out there.”

he says, his voice low and dangerous. “Ava and Lisa’s wellbeing is of the

under your watch, you’ll answer to

looks like he might argue, his scarred face twisting with disdain. But then he shrugs, a casual roll of his shoulders that

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in Westwood (1)

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

Kellan turns on his heel and stalks away, leaving Lisa and I alone with our new mentor. Jericho eyes us appraisingly, his gaze lingering on my still–healing

grunts, something like approval in his tone.

finding mine and squeezing. I glance at her, seeing my own. apprehension reflected in her

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

tell him, my voice steady despite

us slowly, his gaze raking

Life in

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

crawl.

ones the 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 with

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

about throwing fists, girl. It’s about instinct, about being willing to do whatever it takes

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

Ava: 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 of you lasting more than a minute in a

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 he’s won before

teach us,” I say, my voice ringing with a conviction I don’t quite feel. “Show us how to survive.

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

won’t.”

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

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97 Ava: Life in

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