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

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?

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

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

moment, the shifter looks like he might argue, his scarred face twisting with disdain. But then he shrugs, a casual roll of his shoulders that does

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in Westwood (1)

a sharp gesture. “Enough. Leave the girls to me. I’ll whip them

turns on his heel and stalks away, leaving Lisa and I

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

at her, seeing my own. apprehension reflected in her eyes. Whatever training Jericho has in store for us, it’s not going to

pleasant lately. I squeeze Lisa’s

silent challenge. “We’re ready,” I tell

gaze raking over every

in Westwood (1)

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

crawl.

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

do to survive,” I say, my voice steady despite the fear thrumming through my veins.

whatever it takes to come out on top.” His gaze flicks to Lisa,

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. I’ll

Ava: Life in Westwood (II)

kill or be killed. And right now, I wouldn’t bet on either of you lasting more than

swallow hard, my mouth gone dry. He’s right, of course. For all my bravado, I’m woefully unprepared for the realities of this new world I’ve found myself in. But I refuse to let him see my fear, to

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

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.”

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

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97 Ava: Life

lip twists in a sneer. “You expecting an engraved invitation, girl? In the real world, your enemies won’t wait