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.”

his patience clearly fraying. “You just need to train them. Help them

barely more than pups. Soft. Weak.” He spits the words. like they’re poison on his tongue. “What’s the

make this clear,” he says, his

happens to them under your watch, you’ll answer to

he might argue, his scarred face twisting with disdain. But then he shrugs, a casual roll of his shoulders that

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Ava: Life in Westwood (1)

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

a last warning look, Kellan turns on his heel and stalks away, leaving Lisa and I alone with our new

like approval in his tone. “Good. Means you

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

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

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

gaze raking over every

in Westwood (1)

I feel

crawl.

orders are orders.” He stops in front of me, his eyes boring into mine with an intensity that steals my breath. “You ever even thrown

to be cowed. “I’ve done what I had to do to survive,” I say, my voice steady despite the fear thrumming through

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

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

Life in

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

my bravado, I’m woefully unprepared for the realities of this new world I’ve found myself

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

stares at me 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 a step

won’t.”

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

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97 Ava: Life

real world, your enemies won’t wait for