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.”

Alpha’s protection,” Kellan grits out again, his patience clearly fraying. “You just need to train them. Help them learn

pups. Soft. Weak.” He spits the words. like they’re poison on his tongue. “What’s the

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

them under

his shoulders that does nothing to dispel the tension crackling in the

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in Westwood (1)

cuts him off with a sharp

on his heel and stalks away, leaving Lisa and I

like approval in his tone.

shifts uneasily beside me, her hand finding mine and squeezing. I glance at her, seeing my own. apprehension reflected in her eyes. Whatever training Jericho has in store for

nothing about my life has been pleasant lately. I squeeze Lisa’s hand back, drawing strength from her presence.

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

his gaze raking

Life in Westwood

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

crawl.

are orders.” He stops in front of me,

“I’ve done what I had to do to survive,” I say, my

It’s about instinct, about being willing to do whatever it takes to come out on top.” His gaze flicks to Lisa, dismissive. “And you? You look like you’d faint at the sight of

only wavering slightly as she says, “I may not be a fighter, but I’m not weak. I’ll do whatever it takes

in Westwood (II)

the real world, it’s kill or

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

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

chin. “Alright then, girl. Let’s see what you’re made of.” He takes

won’t.”

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

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97 Ava: Life in Westwood

in a sneer. “You 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,