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.”

Alpha’s protection,” Kellan grits out again, his patience clearly fraying. “You just need to train them. Help them learn to defend

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 the point? They’ll be

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

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

disdain. But then he shrugs, a casual roll of his shoulders that does nothing

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in Westwood (1)

off with a sharp gesture. “Enough. Leave

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

grunts, something like approval

me, her hand finding mine and squeezing. I glance at her, seeing my own. apprehension reflected in her eyes.

lately. I squeeze Lisa’s

chin lifting in silent challenge. “We’re ready,” I tell him, my

his gaze

in

looking for weak spots to exploit. I feel exposed, vulnerable

crawl.

are worth protecting. Can’t say I see it myself, but orders are orders.”

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

about being willing to do whatever it takes to come out on

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

Life in Westwood

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 a minute in a real

hard, my mouth gone dry. He’s 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 let him see my fear, to let him think

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

see what you’re made of.” He takes a step back, his posture shifting

won’t.”

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

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5/7

Ava: Life

engraved invitation, girl? In the real world, your enemies