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?

Selene prompts.

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 early and in the

toward the box.

deep breath, I lift

ring. But

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Paranoia and Secrets

almost identical to

wear them both, Selene

At

frown, gingerly lifting the ring from its resting place. “But why?

her head. It’s not yet time for you to know that. For now,

obediently slip the ring onto my finger. An odd tingle dances

here before I have to groom myself for days to get all this filth

paws. “Whatever you say, princess. I’ll make

way back through the trees, leaving me to hurry after

we walk, the empty box

14

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Ava: Paranoia and Secrets (V)

going to explain what all that

one ear in irritation. It means precisely what I said. You were becoming.

“Yeah, but

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

hurry to catch up, leaves crunching underfoot. “Well, it’s not the

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

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 earlier have faded, leaving me feeling almost

even think about it

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Ava: Paranoia and Secrets (V)

in a sharp

her a perplexed

want the attention it will bring.

baffled. “What are you talking about? How would me running bring any