Chapter 24

Alanza’s POV

“Dig? What do you mean, dig?”

I stared at Sombra, confusion knotting in my gut. She stood on the mossy ground of the clearing, her thick fur barely moving.

Precisely what I said, she replied. Her tone was flat. Dig.

I looked at the soft dirt and scattered leaves covering the forest floor. “With what? My hands?” The idea of sticking my fingers into that cold, damp soil made my skin crawl.

Sombra let out a short, annoyed huff. Yes, with your hands. I would do it myself, but… She paused, looking down at the ground with clear distaste. I don’t like to get mud between my claws.

I couldn't help a dry snort. “Are you sure you’re not just a husky, then? That’s a very husky-like attitude, princess.”

Sombra’s jaws snapped shut on air, a sharp click echoing in the quiet woods. Enough stalling, she growled, the sound low in her chest. Dig.

I sighed, dropping to my knees. The movement felt clumsy. Scooping aside handfuls of damp earth, I started the job. Sombra watched, her tail swishing back and forth like a metronome.

Deeper, she urged a few minutes later.

I grimaced as the cool, loamy soil sank beneath my nails. “This is totally gross. You owe me a serious manicure after this, wolf.”

Sombra only flicked an ear, completely unmoved by my complaint.

My arms quickly burned from the effort. Sweat beaded on my forehead, and the grime caked under my nails felt disgusting. Every cell in my body protested.

Finally, my fingers scraped something hard and unyielding. I stopped, brushing away the remaining dirt. It looked like a box.

Keep going, Sombra prompted, her voice tight with focus.

I grunted, working the wooden thing loose from the earth. It was a simple box, plain except for a strange symbol carved into the lid. I shot Sombra a questioning look. She just tilted her head toward the object.

I took a deep breath and lifted the lid.

Inside, resting on a bed of soft, dark fabric, lay a ring. The stone was a large, faceted crystal, a deep, vivid purple. It was almost exactly like the one I already had, which was still tucked into my pocket.

You’ll need to wear them both, Sombra stated, as if reading the thought directly from my brain. At all times.

I frowned, carefully lifting the new ring. “But why? What makes these crystals so important?”

Sombra shook her head slowly. It’s not yet time for you to know that. For now, you must simply trust me.

“Well, that’s just great. Very reassuring,” I muttered. Still, I slipped the ring onto my finger. An odd, faint tingle danced across my skin as the two purple crystals connected.

Good. Sombra’s tone held a note of satisfaction. Now, let’s get out of here before I have to groom myself for days just to get all this filth out of my fur.

I couldn't help but let out a small laugh at her disgusted face as she eyed the mud clinging to her paws. “Whatever you say, highness. I’ll make sure to book you a five-star grooming appointment first thing tomorrow.”

With a decisive huff, Sombra turned and trotted away between the trees. I shoved the empty box under my arm and hurried to follow.

I kept my eyes on Sombra’s tail as we walked, trying to ignore the strange new weight on my hand. “So, are you going to explain the pain yet? And that thing you said about me ‘becoming’?”

Sombra chuffed, twitching one ear in irritation. It means precisely what I said. You were becoming.

I scowled. “Yeah, but becoming what, exactly? A super-digging enthusiast?”

Sometimes being cryptic is the safest thing for everyone involved. Her tone was firm, shutting down the conversation as she padded across the small clearing toward the park trail.

I rolled my eyes. Leaves crunched loudly under my sneakers as I rushed to catch up. “Well, it’s not the best thing for me. I’m completely lost right now.”

Sombra didn’t answer. She left me to stew in a heavy silence as we retraced our steps back toward the main path. It was only when we reached the trailhead that I stopped short.

Something felt different.

I took a deep breath. There was a lightness in my body, a strange new energy thrumming just beneath my skin. The aches and pains from earlier were gone, replaced by a feeling of being almost completely refreshed.

Don’t even think about it, Sombra’s voice cut through my thoughts, sharp as a warning bell.

I blinked, shooting her a confused look. “Think about what?”

Running, she replied flatly. Unless you want the attention it will bring.

“Attention?” I echoed, baffled. “What are you talking about? Running in a park brings attention?”

Sombra shook her head, clearly exasperated. It’s better you don’t find out. Not yet, at least.

I opened my mouth, ready to fight her, but she cut me off with a stern, unwavering stare. I gritted my teeth and forced myself to swallow the questions. We walked toward the parking lot in uncomfortable silence.

I had always dreamed of getting my wolf. Never once did I dream I’d get a cryptic, bossy one who refused to answer questions and pretended to be a fussy husky in her free time.

The entire walk back to my apartment, I couldn’t shake the strange, restless energy. Every cell in my body was vibrating with vigor, waiting for permission to just move.

A reckless part of me, the one that hated being told what to do, wanted to take off sprinting. I wanted to push my body hard and see what this new, strange feeling actually meant.

But Sombra’s warning held me back. Attention was the absolute last thing I needed right now. I was still struggling to accept that my dog wasn't actually a dog.

By the time we reached my front door, the pent-up energy made me jittery. I shot Sombra a look as I fumbled for my keys. “Are you at least going to tell me why I feel like this? What is going on?”

Wait, she snapped, stopping cold. She stared at the door, a low growl rumbling in her chest.

I remembered then. I hadn’t locked the door. I had thought we would only be gone for a few minutes, at most. Stupid.

I sniffed the air, but I couldn’t pick up anything unusual. While my sense of smell was better than a normal human’s, it was still far weaker than a wolf’s.

We can enter, she finally said, her voice calmer.

I pushed the door open, hesitant. Nothing looked out of place inside.

As I took one step into the living room, a familiar, deep scent hit my nose. My head snapped up in panic. I spun around, checking every corner of the room, but he wasn't there.

“Sombra. I can smell Luciano.”