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

at them, barely more than pups. Soft. Weak.” He spits

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

Lucas. If anything happens to them under your watch, you’ll

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 should have better priorities. A real leader doesn’t waste time coddling weaklings.”

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Ava: Life in

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

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

like you’ve seen some action already,” he grunts, something like approval in his tone. “Good. Means you might just survive

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

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

tell him, my voice steady despite the fear coiling

circles us slowly, his gaze raking over every

Avs Life in Westwood (1)

for weak spots to exploit. I

crawl.

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

to be cowed. “I’ve done what I had to do to survive,” I say, my

whatever it takes to come out on top.”

voice only wavering slightly as she says, “I may not be a fighter, but I’m not weak.

Life in Westwood

kill or be killed. And right now, I wouldn’t bet on either of

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

I don’t quite feel. “Show us

at 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 everything you’ve got. And don’t

won’t.”

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

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97 Ava: Life in Westwood (1)

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