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.”

our Alpha’s protection,” Kellan grits out again, his 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 tongue. “What’s the point? They’ll be dead within a

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

disdain. 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 should have better priorities. A real leader

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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

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

already,” he grunts, something like approval in his

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

squeeze Lisa’s hand back, drawing strength

“We’re ready,” I tell him, my voice steady despite the fear coiling in

circles us slowly, his gaze

in Westwood

weak spots to exploit. I feel exposed, vulnerable in

crawl.

orders are orders.” He stops in front of me, his

“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

about being willing to do whatever it

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

Ava: Life in

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 fight.”

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

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

see what you’re made of.” He takes a step

won’t.”

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

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5/7

Life in

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