Tangled

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

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24 Ava Paranoia and Secrets (V)

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?

going, Selene prompts.

It’s a simple wooden affair, unremarkable save for a strange symbol carved into the lid. I shoot Selene a questioning look, but she merely inclines her head sᴇaʀᴄh thᴇ Find ɴøᴠel.nᴇt website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of

toward the box.

I lift

soft fabric, is a ring. But not

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Paranoia and

deep, vivid purple hue. It’s almost identical to

wear them both, Selene says, as

At all times.

lifting the ring from its resting place. “But why? What’s so special

for you to know that. For now, you must

the ring onto my finger. An

tone is one of satisfaction. Now, let’s get out of here before I have to groom

clinging to her paws. “Whatever you say, princess. I’ll make sure to book you

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

eye Selene warily as we walk, the

14

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Ava: Paranoia and Secrets (V)

that pain was about? And what did you

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

but becoming what, exactly?”

thing for everyone involved. Selene’s tone is firm as she pads across the small clearing toward the

“Well, it’s not the best thing for me. I’m

in silence as we retrace our steps back toward the main path. It’s only when we reach the trailhead that I

pause, taking a deep breath. There’s a lightness to my body that wasn’t there before, a sense of renewed energy thrumming through my veins. The aches and pains from

even think about it Selene’s

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Ava: Paranoia and Secrets (V)

thoughts in a sharp

perplexed

want the attention it will bring.

you talking about? How would me running