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. Help them learn to defend themselves.”

at them, barely more than pups. Soft. Weak.” He spits the words. like they’re poison on his

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

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

he shrugs, a casual roll of his shoulders that does nothing to dispel the tension crackling in the air. “Fine. But the Alpha should have better priorities. A real

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in Westwood (1)

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

and I alone with

action already,” he grunts, something like approval in his tone. “Good. Means you

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 us, it’s not going

been pleasant lately. I squeeze Lisa’s hand back, drawing strength from

meet Jericho’s gaze head–on, my chin lifting in silent challenge. “We’re ready,” I tell him, my voice steady despite

slowly, his gaze raking over every

in Westwood (1)

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

crawl.

his voice a 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 steals my breath. “You

lift my chin, refusing to be cowed. “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

about throwing fists, girl. It’s about instinct, about being willing to do whatever it takes

his stare head–on, her voice only wavering slightly as she says, “I may not be

in

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

of this new world I’ve found myself in. But

quite feel. “Show us how

what you’re made of.” He takes a step back, his posture shifting into a loose,

won’t.”

with her face scrunched up, her confusion clear. “You

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Life

real world, your enemies won’t wait for you to be ready. They’ll strike hard and fast, without warning.”