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

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

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

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

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

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Life in

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

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

like you’ve seen some action already,” he grunts, something like approval in his

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

life has been pleasant lately. I squeeze Lisa’s hand back, drawing strength from her presence. We’ll get through this together.

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

us slowly, his gaze raking over every inch

Life in Westwood

to exploit. I feel exposed, vulnerable in

crawl.

ones the Alpha thinks are worth protecting. Can’t say I see it myself, but orders are

survive,” I say, my voice steady despite the fear thrumming through

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

she says, “I may not be a fighter, but I’m not

Life in Westwood (II)

shifter’s lips twist into a cruel smirk. “Pretty words, 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

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

with a conviction I don’t quite feel. “Show us how to survive. We’re

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 hold back,

won’t.”

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

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Life in Westwood

an engraved invitation, girl? In the real world, your enemies won’t wait for you to be ready. They’ll strike hard