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

Soft.

me make this clear,” he says, his voice

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

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 crackling in the air. “Fine. But the Alpha should

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in

Jericho cuts him off with a sharp gesture. “Enough.

away, leaving Lisa and I alone with our new mentor. Jericho eyes us appraisingly, his gaze lingering on my still–healing wounds.

like you’ve seen some action already,” he grunts, something like approval in his tone. “Good. Means

uneasily beside me, her hand finding mine and squeezing. I glance at her, seeing my own. apprehension reflected in

squeeze Lisa’s hand back, drawing

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

circles us slowly, his gaze raking

Avs Life in Westwood (1)

to exploit. I feel exposed, vulnerable in a way that

crawl.

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 my breath. “You ever even thrown a punch,

cowed. “I’ve done what I had to do to survive,” I say, my voice steady despite

out a laugh, harsh and mocking. “Fighting ain’t just about throwing fists, girl. It’s about instinct, about being willing to do whatever it takes to come

flushes, her hands 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 weak.

Ava: Life in Westwood (II)

don’t mean shit out there. In the real world, it’s kill

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

my voice ringing with a conviction I don’t quite feel. “Show us how to survive. We’re not afraid to learn,

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,

won’t.”

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

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5/7

Life

In the real world, your enemies won’t