Tangled

Chapter 23

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.

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 novels

toward the box.

deep breath, I lift the lid.

a ring.

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27

Ava: Paranoia and

It’s almost identical to the one I currently have in my

them both, Selene says, as if

my thoughts. At

place. “But

shakes her head. It’s not yet time for you to know that.

slip the ring onto my finger. An odd tingle dances

before I have to groom myself for days to get all

mud clinging to her paws. “Whatever you say, princess. I’ll make sure to book you a grooming appointment first thing in

to lead the way back through the

as we walk,

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and

arm. “So, are you going to explain what all that pain

means precisely what I said. You were

but

is the best thing for everyone involved. Selene’s tone is

to catch up, leaves crunching underfoot. “Well, it’s not the best thing for me.

doesn’t reply, leaving me to stew in silence as we retrace our steps back toward the main path. It’s only when we reach the trailhead that

before, a sense of renewed energy thrumming through my veins. The aches and pains from earlier have faded, leaving me

about it

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and Secrets

in a

perplexed look.

want the attention

about? How would me running

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