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

derisive sound that sets my teeth on edge. “Defend themselves? Look at them, barely more than pups. Soft. Weak.”

menace. “Let me make this clear,” he says,

anything happens to them under your watch, you’ll answer to him directly. Do you

his scarred face twisting with disdain. But then he shrugs, a casual roll of his shoulders that does nothing to dispel the tension crackling in

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Life in Westwood

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

last warning look, Kellan turns on his heel and stalks away, leaving Lisa and I

approval in his tone. “Good. Means you might just

hand finding mine and squeezing. I glance at her, seeing my own. apprehension reflected in her eyes. Whatever

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

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

us slowly, his gaze raking over every inch of

Avs Life in Westwood (1)

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

crawl.

protecting. Can’t say I see it myself, but orders are orders.” He stops in

“I’ve done what I had to do to survive,” I say, my voice steady despite the fear thrumming through my veins. “I’m not afraid to fight.”

throwing fists, girl. It’s about instinct, about being willing to do whatever it takes to come out on top.” His gaze flicks to Lisa, dismissive. “And

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

Ava: Life in

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

world I’ve found myself in. But I refuse to let him see my fear,

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

Let’s see what you’re made of.” He takes a step back,

won’t.”

scrunched up, her confusion clear. “You mean, just… attack you? Right now? Just like

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5/7

Life in

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