Tangled

98 Ava: Life in Westwood (III)

After several rounds of Jericho demanding we attack him, only for us to end up on the ground with new bruises every time, I collapse onto the dusty ground, chest heaving, lungs screaming for air. Sweat pours down my face, stinging my eyes. Lisa lies beside me, equally drenched, her breath coming in ragged gasps.

Jericho looms over us, his scarred face impassive.

“Pathetic. You’d be dead the moment a wolf looked at

you wrong.”

I glare up at him, too winded to retort. He jerks his head, motioning for us to rise. “On your feet. Follow

me.”

-Somehow, I stagger upright, my muscles trembling with exhaustion. Lisa groans as she pushes herself up, her face flushed and hair plastered to her forehead.

Jericho leads us to the track, his stride purposeful. “You’re so weak, you’d probably break your necks running through the woods. From now on, five miles around this track every morning.”

I gape at him, but he’s not finished. He rattles off a list

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98 Ava: Life in Westwood (III)

of exercises–push–ups, sit–ups, something called burpees, some lunges that I’m not entirely certain how to do without a visual–that we’ll be doing daily to

build strength. Lisa makes a noise of despair beside

1. me.

Jericho’s piercing gaze finds mine. “Alpha Westwood will be gone at least another month dealing with the Blackwood situation. Don’t expect him to swoop in and

save you.”

Something hot and defiant rises in my chest. I lift my chin, meeting his stare head–on. “I wouldn’t want to be saved anyway.”

For the first time, a hint of a smile tugs at Jericho’s lips. “You’ve got guts, girl. Maybe there’s hope for you yet.”

-Lisa stares at the track, dejection dripping from her pores. “How many times do we have to go around for five miles?”

I shrug, just as clueless. “No idea.”

Jericho scoffs, his lip curling in disdain, I’m starting to think that’s his default look. “Unbelievable. You two are so sheltered you don’t even know how to track

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Ava Life in Westwood

distance.”

had much opportunity for extracurricular sports, what with being locked away in a pack that

excuses will

glaring at Jericho. “Well, excuse us for not being born with an innate

think Jericho might actually snap at her. But then he barks out a laugh, shaking his head. –“Fair

I

keep count.”

forever. Twelve laps. My legs ache just thinking about it. But I straighten my spine, determined not

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Ava Life in Westwood

steadier than

it is.”

akin to approval flickering in his eyes. “Good. Now get to it. I’ll be timing you.”

the air

survived.

Stronger.

to be stronger.

depend on anyone for

again.

even though we’ve gone

five feet.

expand to hold in what little air I manage to gather.

she pants, her

escapes me, turning into a wheeze. Too

coming in.

in

human, anyway.”

only sound our labored breathing and the pounding of our feet against the track. I stumble. She

already want a water break, and it’s

since our feet

booms from behind

grandmother could outpace you,

dead for

I push myself harder, gasping at the

effortless.

land on the

it easier.”

me to appreciate it. I adjust my breathing and stride, surprised to find it does help. Beside me, Lisa does the same.

to like him,” I

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him. But… I think he might actually be good deep down.”

laugh bursts from me, and Jericho’s