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.”

fraying. “You just need to train them. Help them learn to

that sets my teeth on edge. “Defend themselves? Look at them, barely more than pups. Soft.

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

happens to them under your

that does nothing to dispel the tension

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Life in Westwood

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

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

something like approval in his tone. “Good. Means you

her, seeing my own. apprehension reflected in her eyes. Whatever

life has been pleasant lately. I squeeze Lisa’s hand back, drawing strength

ready,” I tell him, my voice steady despite the

slowly, his gaze

in Westwood

like he’s looking for weak spots to exploit. I feel exposed, vulnerable

crawl.

the 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

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 veins. “I’m not afraid to fight.”

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

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 people

Ava: Life in Westwood

shit out there. In the real world, it’s kill or be killed. And right now, I

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

a conviction I don’t quite feel. “Show

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

won’t.”

confusion clear. “You mean,

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97 Ava: Life in

lip twists in a sneer. “You expecting an engraved invitation, girl? In the real world, your enemies won’t wait