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.”

clearly fraying.

shifter snorts, a harsh, derisive sound that sets my teeth on edge. “Defend themselves? Look at them, barely more than pups. Soft. Weak.” He spits the words. like

make this clear,” he

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

shoulders that does nothing to dispel the tension crackling in the

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Ava: Life in Westwood

with a sharp gesture. “Enough. Leave the girls to me. I’ll whip them into shape.”

I alone with our new mentor. Jericho eyes us appraisingly, his gaze lingering

he grunts, something like approval in

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

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

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

us slowly, his gaze raking over every inch

Life in

I feel exposed, vulnerable in a way that makes

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

chin, refusing to be cowed. “I’ve done what I had to do to survive,” I say,

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 blood.”

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 protect the people

in Westwood (II)

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

of course. For all my bravado, I’m woefully unprepared for the realities of this new world I’ve found myself in. But I refuse to let him see

my voice ringing with a conviction I don’t quite feel. “Show

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

won’t.”

looks at Jericho with her face scrunched up, her confusion clear. “You

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Life in

twists in a sneer. “You expecting an engraved invitation, girl? In the real world, your enemies won’t wait for you to be ready. They’ll