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.”

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

them, barely more than pups. Soft. Weak.” He spits the words. like

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

Lucas. If anything happens to them under

shoulders that does nothing to dispel the tension crackling in the air. “Fine. But the Alpha should have better

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Life in

a sharp

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

action already,” he grunts, something like approval in

seeing my own. apprehension reflected

lately. I squeeze Lisa’s hand back, drawing strength from her presence.

“We’re ready,” I tell him, my voice steady despite

slowly, his gaze raking over every inch of

Life in Westwood

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

crawl.

orders are orders.” He stops in front of me, his eyes boring into mine with an intensity that steals

to survive,” I say, my voice steady

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

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

Ava: Life in

there. In the real world, it’s kill or be killed. And right now, I wouldn’t bet

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

with a conviction I don’t quite feel. “Show us how to survive. We’re not afraid to learn, to do whatever it takes.”

shifter stares 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 a step back, his posture shifting into a loose, ready stance. “Come at me with everything you’ve got. And don’t

won’t.”

her face scrunched up, her confusion clear. “You

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Ava: Life in Westwood

the real world, your enemies won’t wait for you to be ready. They’ll strike