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.”

clearly fraying. “You just

teeth on edge. “Defend themselves? Look at them, barely 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

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

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

shrugs, a casual roll of his shoulders that does nothing to dispel the tension crackling

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Ava: Life in Westwood

retort, but Jericho cuts him off with a sharp gesture.

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

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 us, it’s not

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

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

slowly, his gaze

Avs Life in Westwood

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

crawl.

say I see it myself, but orders are orders.” He stops in front of me, his eyes boring into mine

to be cowed. “I’ve done what I had to do to survive,” I

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

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

in Westwood (II)

out there. In 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

ringing with a conviction I don’t quite feel. “Show

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 I

won’t.”

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

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97 Ava: Life in

real world,