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.”

grits out again, his patience clearly fraying. “You

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

me make this clear,” he says, his voice low and

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

looks like 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

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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

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

he grunts, something like approval in

my own. apprehension reflected in her eyes. Whatever training Jericho has in

about my life has been pleasant lately. I squeeze Lisa’s hand

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

his gaze raking over every inch

Life in Westwood

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

crawl.

ones the Alpha thinks are worth protecting. Can’t say I see it myself, but orders are orders.” He stops in front of

I had to do to survive,” I

ain’t just about throwing fists, girl. It’s about instinct, about being willing to do whatever it takes to come

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 care about.”

in Westwood

lips twist into a cruel smirk. “Pretty words, but they don’t mean 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

of this new world I’ve found myself in. But I refuse

us,” I say, my voice ringing with a conviction I don’t quite feel. “Show us

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 as hell

won’t.”

her confusion clear. “You mean, just…

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Ava: Life in Westwood

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, without warning.”