" Celeste muttered, her voice low, as if

dow reading an old, leather-bound book with her

A small, relieved smile crept across her face, soften

book with a decisive snap and sett

ure of what her grandm

wooden floor. She sat down on the small stool across from Charity, her h

Grandma?" Celeste finally asked,

ntion. And now, you're pushing me to go to this... t

ide table. She studied Celeste for a moment, her expression unreadable. Then, wi

began, her voice firm but gentle. "This isn't just abou

?" Celeste

. A rare one. And healers like you... well, you're sought after. You

into the fabric of her skirt. "So, you wan

ace a comforting hand over Celeste's. "I want

este's heart s

ll be strong, someone who can protect you when I no longer can. A mate will stand

eard stories about fated mates, about the unbreakable bond th

if I don't find him?"

ome, and we'll carry on as we always have. But I have a feeling, Celeste. A

he weight of her grandmo

h newfound energy. "Well then, if you're going to the festiva

the sudden shift in tone. "You

he kitchen. "This calls for a celebration. You're taking a

ts with a determination that made her smile. The sound of the pot clanging against th

to fill the air, Celeste leaned back

rring in her chest. What if Grandma was right? What if her mate wa

now, Celeste let herself focus

dn't foc

?" Celeste muttered under her breath, her voice filled with doubt as s

e, and her usually bright eye

e had as a child. "Maybe the Moon Goddess forgot about me," she said softly, her lips curvi

occasional creak of the wooden

f a love so deep and pure it would heal every insecurity she carried

ds about the festival

te may b

ined to be alone, just another healer curse

ed sigh, brushing her

. But as she did, a strange sensation washed over her, an inexplicable pull, li

tinctively reaching for the edge of the dresser to steady

n unseen force was dragging her forward. She stumbl

e murmured. "What's

the fire burning inside her. She felt drawn to the woods, the

g her head as if to break wh

e." But her feet betrayed her, moving on th

pull became unbearable as she stepped into the thicket, s

her eyes da

bathed in the pale glow of the moonlight. Her breath hitched. She couldn't see

e called out, her

onger than ever. It wasn't just a sensation now; it was a connection, deep

ing her head. "This

tense. As he got closer, she could make out more details, a strong

said, his voice low and smooth, y

est. "I... I don't know you," she

playing on his lips. "And you're wrong, Celeste. Y

s. But before she could respond, the man turned and disappeare

ad been sitting on, her chest heaving as if she'd just run

r senses, earthy, damp, and laced with a hint o

h her tangled curls. Her legs felt unsteady like they didn't belong to her any

ut sharply from the next room. "

aying every second of the strange encounter in the woods. The

under her breath,

ed?" she whispered,

of his presence lingered, as rea