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.”

his patience clearly fraying. “You just need to train

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

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

to them under your watch, you’ll answer to him directly. Do you

shoulders that does

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in

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

and I alone with

approval in

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

Lisa’s hand

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

slowly, his gaze raking over every inch of

in Westwood (1)

to exploit. I

crawl.

myself, but orders are orders.” He stops in front of me, his eyes boring into mine

lift my chin, 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

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

flushes, her hands trembling 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 weak. I’ll do whatever

Ava: Life in

lips twist into 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

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 we’ve even begun.

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

of.” He takes a step back, his posture shifting into a loose, ready stance. “Come

won’t.”

confusion clear. “You mean, just… attack you? Right now? Just like that?”

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5/7

Life

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