Tangled

S~ᴇaʀᴄh the Find ɴøᴠel.nᴇt website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

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

12.31 O

<97 Ava: Life in Westwood (II)

own strength, not mine. If they can’t handle it, that’s

not my problem.”

again, his patience clearly fraying. “You just need to train them. Help them learn to defend themselves.”

“Defend themselves? Look at them, barely more than pups. Soft. Weak.” He spits the words. like

radiating menace. “Let me make this clear,” he says, his voice low and dangerous. “Ava

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

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.

13:31

in Westwood

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

stalks away, leaving Lisa and I alone with our new mentor. Jericho eyes

something like approval in his tone.

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

about my life has been pleasant lately. I squeeze Lisa’s hand back, drawing strength from her presence.

Jericho’s gaze head–on, my chin lifting in silent challenge. “We’re ready,” I tell him, my voice steady despite the fear coiling in my gut.

gaze raking over

in

he’s looking for weak spots to exploit. I feel exposed, vulnerable in a way that

crawl.

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 an intensity that steals my breath.

had to do to survive,” I say, my voice steady despite the fear thrumming

out a laugh, harsh and mocking. “Fighting ain’t just about throwing fists, girl. It’s about 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

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 it takes to protect the

in Westwood

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

the realities of this new world I’ve found myself in. But I refuse to let him see my fear, to

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

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 hold back, because I sure

won’t.”

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

10.31

5/7

Life in Westwood

In the real world, your enemies won’t wait for you to be ready. They’ll strike hard and fast, without