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

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

step forward, his posture radiating menace. “Let me make this clear,” he

Alpha Lucas. If anything happens to them under

his shoulders that does nothing to dispel the tension crackling in the air. “Fine. But the Alpha should have

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Ava: Life in

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

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

he grunts, something like approval in his tone. “Good.

seeing my own. apprehension reflected in her eyes. Whatever

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

ready,” I tell him, my voice steady despite the fear coiling in my gut. “Teach us

slowly, his gaze raking over every inch of

Life in Westwood (1)

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

crawl.

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 even thrown a punch, girl?”

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

instinct, about being willing to do whatever it takes to come out on top.” His gaze flicks to Lisa, dismissive. “And you? You look like you’d faint at the

voice only wavering slightly as she says, “I may not be a fighter, but I’m not weak. I’ll do whatever it takes to protect the people I

in Westwood (II)

“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 a real fight.”

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

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

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

won’t.”

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

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Life in Westwood (1)

“You expecting an engraved invitation, girl? In the real world, your enemies won’t wait