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

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

menace. “Let me make this clear,” he

Alpha Lucas. If anything happens to them under

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

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Ava: Life in Westwood (1)

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

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

like approval in his tone.

at her, seeing my own. apprehension reflected in her

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

gaze head–on, my chin lifting in silent challenge. “We’re ready,” I tell him, my voice steady

slowly, his gaze raking over every inch of

Avs Life in Westwood

spots to exploit. I feel exposed, vulnerable in

crawl.

say I see it myself, but orders are orders.” He stops in front of me, his eyes

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

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

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 I care about.”

in Westwood (II)

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

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

with a conviction I don’t quite feel. “Show us how to survive. We’re not afraid to learn, to

shifter stares 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.

won’t.”

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

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5/7

Life in

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