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.”

clearly fraying. “You just need to train them.

shifter snorts, a harsh, derisive sound that 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 dead within a week out there.”

takes a step forward, his posture radiating menace. “Let me make this clear,” he says, his

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

scarred face twisting with disdain. But then he shrugs, a casual roll of his shoulders that does nothing to dispel

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Life in Westwood (1)

his mouth to retort, but Jericho cuts him off with a sharp

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

action already,” he grunts, something like approval in his tone. “Good. Means you might just survive

I glance at her, seeing my own. apprehension reflected in

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

in silent challenge. “We’re ready,” I tell him, my voice steady despite the fear coiling in my

us slowly, his gaze

Life in Westwood

like he’s looking for weak spots to exploit. I feel exposed, vulnerable in a way that makes my skin

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

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

to do whatever it takes to come out on

trembling 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

in Westwood (II)

mean shit out there. In the real world, it’s kill or be killed.

realities of this new world I’ve found myself

I don’t quite feel. “Show us how to

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

won’t.”

Jericho with her face scrunched up, her confusion clear. “You mean, just… attack you? Right now? Just like

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Ava: Life in Westwood (1)

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