Tangled in Moonlight: Unshifted (Ava and Lucas)

Chapter 22 Ava: Paranoia and Secrets (III)

I try to slip the crystal back into the drawer of my nightstand, but Selene darts forward, her body wriggling between me and the furniture like a furry battering ram. With a huff of frustration, I pull my hand back, the crystal still clutched in my fist.

"Selene, down," I scold, but she remains resolutely in my path, those pale blue eyes fixed on the object in my grasp.

Realizing this is a battle I won't win, I shove the crystal into the pocket of my jeans, ignoring the uneasy weight that seems to settle in my gut at its presence. Selene's tail wags, and she trots back toward the kitchen, pausing every few steps to glance over her shoulder, as if ensuring I follow.

The aroma of the sautéed vegetables greets me as I re-enter the kitchen, and my stomach rumbles in anticipation. But as I move to finish plating the meal, Selene darts underfoot, nearly sending me sprawling. I sidestep her clumsily, shooting her a glare.

"What has gotten into you?" I mutter, stirring the contents of the pan with perhaps more force than necessary.

Selene whines, her nose pointed toward the front door, and understanding dawns.

"All right, all right." I rush over to open the front door.

spot, her gaze flickering between me and the door, an insistent whine escaping her. I frown as realization sets

me she's dead serious. "Fine, but

food onto a plate and shove it into the microwave, resigning myself to eating

onto her collar, and she darts out the door the second it's open wide enough, nearly yanking me off my feet. I stumble after her, the crystal in my pocket seeming to

a welcome relief after the stuffy confines of the apartment, and I find myself falling into an easy rhythm, my earlier unease fading into the background. Selene trots ahead, her nose twitching as she investigates every nook and cranny, but her

should insist we turn back before we venture too far from home, but some inexplicable force holds my tongue. Instead, I let Selene lead, trusting in the bond we've forged

small bit of city forest. My food is cold at home, and we have at least a half hour of walking to get back home. I'm hungry and

leash, but she ignores it. "Selene. Come on. Now!" I tug harder and

off my feet, and I stumble, barely catching myself before I fall. "You've gotta be kidding me." I sigh. Selene's not

gone potty once. Maybe she needs

and into the shadowed treeline, the crunch of fallen leaves and twigs beneath my boots echoing in the stillness. A shiver skitters down my spine. I can't help but touch the crystal in my pocket, gleaning a little sense of security when I touch

the canopy in dappled streaks, casting an eerie glow over our path. Selene forges ahead, her movements purposeful, almost urgent.

bout of mischief around the apartment. But

as the air seems to thicken around us, the scent of damp earth and decaying foliage taking on an almost cloying quality. My pulse quickens, each breath growing