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

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

toward the box.

breath, I lift the lid.

amid a bed of soft fabric, is a ring.

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Ava: Paranoia and Secrets (V)

purple hue. It’s almost identical to the one

them both,

At

from its resting place. “But why?

for you to know that. For now, you must

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

one of satisfaction. Now, let’s get out of here before I have to groom myself for days to get all this filth out of my fur.

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

a huff, Selene turns and begins to lead the way back through the trees, leaving me to hurry after her.

we walk, the empty box

14

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Ava: Paranoia and Secrets (V)

all that pain was

means precisely what I said. You

frown. “Yeah, but becoming what, exactly?”

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

underfoot. “Well, it’s not the best thing for

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

lightness to my body that wasn’t there before, a sense of renewed energy thrumming through my veins.

think about it Selene’s voice cuts through

14:40 –

and Secrets (V)

in a

shooting her a perplexed look. “Think about

you want the attention it will

about? How would me running bring any attention?”