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.”

out again, his patience clearly fraying. “You just need to

pups. Soft. Weak.” He spits the words. like they’re poison on his tongue. “What’s the point? They’ll be dead within

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

anything happens to them under your watch, you’ll

But then he shrugs, a casual roll of his shoulders that does nothing to dispel the tension crackling in the air. “Fine. But the Alpha

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Life in Westwood (1)

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

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

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

own. apprehension reflected in her eyes. Whatever training Jericho has in

my life has been pleasant lately. I squeeze Lisa’s hand back, drawing strength

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

his gaze raking over

in Westwood

spots to exploit. I feel

crawl.

says finally, 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

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

about instinct, about being willing to do whatever it takes to come out on top.” His gaze flicks to Lisa, dismissive. “And you? You look like you’d faint at the sight of

flushes, her hands trembling at her 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

“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 I refuse to let him see my fear, to let him think he’s won before we’ve

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

for 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

won’t.”

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

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a sneer. “You expecting an engraved invitation, girl? In the real world,