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.”

fraying. “You just need to train them. Help them learn to defend themselves.”

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

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

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

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

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Life in Westwood (1)

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

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

you’ve seen some action already,” he grunts, something like approval in his tone. “Good. Means you might just

and squeezing. I glance at her, seeing my own. apprehension reflected in her eyes. Whatever training Jericho has in store for us, it’s

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

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

slowly, his gaze raking over every

Avs Life in Westwood

spots to exploit. I

crawl.

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 ever even

I

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

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

in Westwood

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 lasting more than a minute in a real

unprepared for the realities of this new world I’ve found myself in. But I refuse to let him see my fear, to let him think

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

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, because I sure as

won’t.”

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

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Ava: Life in

world, your enemies won’t wait for you to be ready. They’ll