Tangled

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12 Ava: Husky (I)

I turn the key in the lock, the familiar click signaling the start of another day at The Novel Grind. Mrs. Elkins is reading a book in one of our plush,

overstuffed armchairs, content to let me take over her morning chores.❤

“Keep the door open, dear,” she says, flipping a page and squinting through her bifocals. “An open door brings traffic, and it’s such a nice morning.”

The heavy door is a beast to prop open, and I wonder how Mrs. Elkins has managed all these years. Eventually, I find the sweet spot to jam the doorstop in, but sweat is gathering in my armpits by the time I figure it out.

I take a moment to breathe in the pine–fresh air, enjoying the chill that curls into my lungs as the sun warms my face. A soft whine catches my attention and I glance down in surprise at the silver husky sitting just outside the door, its tail thumping gently against the sidewalk.

The dog’s eyes are a blue so light that they almost

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seem white and seem to pierce right through me, as though they can see every secret I’ve ever hidden deep into the recesses of my mind. But then that thought is gone, because hey, it’s just a dog.

Though, I can’t help but notice the uncanny similarity between the husky’s eyes and my own. It’s a little creepy. Plus, they look better on the furry one.

“Hey there, buddy,” I say, easing into a crouch. “What are you doing here so early?”

It does an adorable head tilt, perking its ears forward as though listening with deep thought to every word that I speak. It doesn’t make a sound, but I can’t help but think, again, there’s an uncanny intelligence in its

gaze.

The dog doesn’t seem to mind when I reach out a hand, and my fingers brush against the soft fur of its face. It leans into my touch, its eyes half–closed in pleasure, savoring the contact.

love animals. For obvious reasons, the pack doesn’t have dogs around. Or cats. Or rabbits. Well, actually, there are rabbits–but they

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Ava: Husky (1)

We eat them.

aren’t you?” I murmur, still

scratching.

back, and I swear there’s affront all over that

girl?” I try

harder, and she lets

agreement.

an owner, but the street is

the distance. “Are you lost,

me, and I have the distinct sense that she thinks I’m

it into my face. Between that and the fur I’d managed to loosen with happy scritches, I feel like a sneeze is trying to explode out of

possible for even a wolfless shifter to be allergic

an odd, rhythmic string

10:40 —

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Ava: Husky (1)

she rolls her eyes.

freaking grip, Ava. You can’t possibly miss being in a pack

in surprise. She tuts and swats at my arm. “You’re too young to have balance issues, Ava. Maybe you should try some

isn’t obvious, Mrs. Elkins is pretty hip to new technology. She says it’s her job, because

how to cater to an

at her. “That’s what I thought. Come on in. Don’t get your fur

and I’ve heard that

14:40

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Husky