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.”

out again, his patience clearly fraying. “You just need

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

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

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

twisting with disdain. But then he shrugs, a casual roll of his shoulders that does nothing to dispel the tension crackling in the air.

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in Westwood

sharp gesture. “Enough. Leave the girls to me. I’ll whip them into shape.”

and I alone with our new mentor. Jericho eyes us appraisingly, his gaze lingering on my

grunts, something like approval in his tone. “Good. Means you might

shifts uneasily beside me, her hand finding mine and squeezing. I glance at her, seeing my own. apprehension reflected in her eyes. Whatever training Jericho has in store for us, it’s not going to

been pleasant lately. I squeeze Lisa’s hand back, drawing strength from her presence. We’ll get through this

challenge. “We’re ready,” I tell him, my

us slowly, his gaze raking over every inch of

in Westwood (1)

weak spots to exploit. I feel exposed, vulnerable

crawl.

finally, his 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 steals

do to survive,” I say, my voice steady despite the fear thrumming through my veins. “I’m not afraid

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

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 I

Life in

lips twist into a cruel smirk. “Pretty words, but they don’t mean shit out there. In the real world, it’s kill

woefully unprepared for the realities of this new world I’ve found myself in. But

us,” I say, my voice ringing with a conviction I don’t 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 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.”

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

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Ava: Life

twists in a sneer. “You expecting an engraved invitation, girl? In the real world, your enemies won’t wait for you to be ready. They’ll strike hard and fast,