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.

to the spot, her gaze flickering between me and the door, an insistent whine escaping her.

me she's

the

second it's open wide enough, nearly yanking me off my feet. I stumble after her,

earlier unease fading into the background. Selene trots ahead, her nose twitching as she investigates every nook and cranny, but her path seems guided by some unseen

before we venture too far from home, but some inexplicable force holds my tongue.

through a small bit of city forest. My food is cold at home, and we have

leash, but she ignores it. "Selene. Come on. Now!" I tug harder and try to start walking in the opposite

myself before I fall. "You've gotta be kidding me." I sigh. Selene's not usually one for these kinds of shenanigans. "Okay. Okay!

potty once. Maybe she needs

the trail 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

forges ahead, her movements purposeful, almost urgent. I tighten my grip on the leash, my heart thrumming a staccato rhythm against

a relatively well-behaved companion, her antics limited to the occasional bout of mischief around the apartment. But this? This single-minded determination to lead me

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,