Tangled in Moonlight: Unshifted (Ava and Lucas)

Chapter 24 Ava: Paranoia and Secrets (V)

I stare at Selene in utter confusion. "Dig? What do you mean, dig?"

Precisely what I said, she replies, her tone brooking no argument. Dig.

I glance around the small clearing, taking in the soft carpet of moss and fallen leaves. "With what? My hands?" The mere thought of digging into the earth with my bare fingers fills me with a strange revulsion.

Selene lets out a huff of annoyance. Yes, with your hands. I would do it myself, but... She pauses, eyeing the ground with distaste. I don't like to get mud between my claws.

I can't help but snort at that. "Are you sure you're not just a husky after all? Because that's a very husky-like attitude."

In response, Selene snaps at the air, her jaws closing with an audible click. Enough stalling, she growls. Dig.

With a sigh, I sink to my knees and begin to dig, scooping handfuls of damp earth aside. Selene watches me intently, her tail swishing back and forth.

Deeper, she urges after a few moments.

I grimace as my fingers sink into the cool, loamy soil. "This is so gross. You owe me a manicure after this."

Selene merely flicks an ear, unimpressed by my complaints.

As I continue to dig, my arms quickly grow tired from the exertion. Sweat beads on my brow, and I can feel the grime caking beneath my nails. Ugh.

Finally, my fingers scrape against something hard and unyielding. I pause, brushing away the remaining soil to reveal...a box?

Keep going, Selene prompts.

the earth. It's a simple wooden affair, unremarkable save for a strange

deep breath, I lift the

just any ring—the centerpiece is a large, faceted crystal in a deep, vivid purple hue. It's almost identical to

need to wear them both, Selene says,

resting

head. It's not yet time for you to know that. For

I obediently slip the ring onto my finger. An odd

I have

eyes the mud clinging to her paws. "Whatever

turns and begins to lead the way back through the trees, leaving me to

we walk, the empty box tucked under my arm. "So, are you going to explain what all that pain was about? And what

in irritation. It means precisely what I said. You were

frown. "Yeah, but becoming

being cryptic is the best thing for everyone involved. Selene's tone is firm as she pads across the small clearing toward

eyes, I hurry to catch up, leaves crunching underfoot. "Well, it's not the best thing for me. I'm so

we retrace our steps back toward the main path. It's only when we reach the trailhead that I realize

wasn't there before, a sense of

Selene's voice cuts through

blink, shooting her a perplexed

flatly. Unless you want

talking about? How would me running