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

19:31 O

112

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

217

C

in Westwood

distance.”

I’ve had much opportunity for extracurricular sports, what with being locked away in a pack

will

She plants her hands on her hips, glaring at Jericho. “Well, excuse us for not being born with an innate knowledge of track and field. How about you enlighten us instead of standing there

his head. –“Fair enough. Twelve laps around this track is roughly five miles. And before you

I

keep count.”

legs ache just thinking about it. But I straighten my spine, determined

13.32

Life in

voice steadier than I feel.

it is.”

eyes. “Good. Now get to

we start our first lap. The sun beats down on us, the air thick with humidity, but

survived.

Stronger.

to be

want to depend on anyone for rescue,

again.

moans, even

five feet.

they expand to hold in

she pants, her face

laugh escapes me, turning into

used not enough coming in.

Ava Life in Westwood (III)

human, anyway.”

both fall silent, the only sound our labored breathing and the pounding of our feet against the track. I stumble. She stumbles.

already want a water break, and it’s only

feet

behind us. “You call

could outpace you,

for a decade.”

I push myself harder, gasping

effortless.

the balls of

it easier.”

I adjust my breathing and stride, surprised to find

think I’m starting to like him,” I mutter.

13-32

617

Life in

snorts. “I hate him. But… I think he

laugh bursts from me, and Jericho’s