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.”

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

them, barely more than pups. Soft. Weak.” He

make this clear,” he

If anything happens to them under your

he 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

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Ava: Life in Westwood (1)

to retort, but Jericho cuts him off with a sharp gesture. “Enough. Leave the girls

a last warning look, Kellan turns on his heel and stalks away, leaving Lisa and I alone with our new mentor. Jericho

approval in his tone. “Good. Means you

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

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

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

slowly, his gaze

Life in

weak spots to exploit. I feel exposed, vulnerable in a way that makes my

crawl.

rough rasp. “You’re the ones 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

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

to do whatever it takes to come

wavering slightly as she says, “I may not be a

Ava: Life in Westwood

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

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

I don’t quite feel. “Show us how to survive. We’re not

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, because

won’t.”

looks at Jericho with her face scrunched up, her confusion clear. “You mean, just…

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97 Ava: Life in

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