Tangled

S~ᴇaʀᴄh the Find ɴøᴠel.nᴇt website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

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

12.31 O

<97 Ava: Life in Westwood (II)

own strength, not mine. If they can’t handle it, that’s

not my problem.”

patience clearly fraying. “You just need to train them. Help

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

forward, his posture radiating menace. “Let me make this clear,” he says, his voice low and dangerous. “Ava and Lisa’s wellbeing is of the

happens to them under your watch, you’ll answer to

then he shrugs, a casual roll of his shoulders that does nothing to dispel the

13:31

in

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

leaving Lisa and I alone with our new mentor. Jericho eyes us appraisingly, his gaze lingering

something like approval in his tone. “Good. Means you might just survive

mine and squeezing. I glance at her, seeing my own. apprehension reflected in her eyes. Whatever training Jericho has in

then, nothing about my life has been pleasant lately. I squeeze Lisa’s

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

us slowly, his gaze raking

Avs Life in Westwood

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

crawl.

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

had to do to survive,” I say, my voice steady despite

about instinct, about being willing to do whatever it takes to come out

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 do whatever it takes to protect the people

Ava: Life in

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 real fight.”

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 let him think he’s

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

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.”

her face scrunched up, her confusion clear. “You mean, just…

10.31

5/7

Life

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