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.”

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

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 dead within

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

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

face twisting with disdain. But then he shrugs, a casual roll of his shoulders that does

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Ava: Life in Westwood (1)

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

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

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

glance at her, seeing my own. apprehension reflected in her eyes. Whatever training Jericho has in store for us, it’s

then, nothing about my life has been pleasant lately. I squeeze Lisa’s hand back,

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

us slowly, his gaze raking over every

in Westwood (1)

I feel exposed,

crawl.

voice a rough rasp. “You’re 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 into mine with an intensity that

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

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 the sight of blood.”

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 I

Ava: Life in Westwood

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

right, of course. For all my bravado, I’m woefully unprepared for the realities of this new world I’ve

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

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

won’t.”

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

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97 Ava: Life in Westwood (1)

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