The morning after the red moon felt quiet, like the world was pretending nothing strange had happened. The sky was soft and blue. The clouds drifted slowly, the same way they always had, but Elira knew everything had changed.
She could still feel the dream lingering, heavy and strange. The tree with silver leaves. The golden eyes watching. And that howl that had called something deep inside her.
"Elira," Nana said, stepping into the doorway with a basket of herbs. "Take these to the healer's hut, will you? She's waiting."
Elira took the basket without a word. The herbs inside smelled sharp and fresh, like rosemary and pine. She held it close as she walked through the village, past the fence, and into the grassy path that led to the woods.
Everything looked the same. The trees swayed. Birds chirped. A breeze danced past her cheeks. But still, the feeling didn't go away.
Something was waiting for her. She could feel it.
When she reached the small creek, she stepped over the stones carefully. Just past it, the path curved.
That was when her heart jumped.
She knew this bend. It was the same one from the drawing. The one she had found caught in the bush during the storm.
She hesitated.
Then stepped off the path.
The forest was deeper here. Older. The sunlight came through the leaves in soft golden patches. The air smelled different, like moss and secrets.
And then she saw it.
A pawprint.
It was huge. Too big to be from any dog in the village. She crouched and touched it with her fingers. The dirt was still soft and warm.
She looked up and saw more prints ahead.
Without thinking, she followed them.
The trees seemed to lean closer as she walked. Shadows shifted. The wind grew still.
Then the prints stopped.
In the middle of a quiet clearing, he stood.
The silver wolf.
Elira stopped breathing for a moment. Her eyes locked on his.
He was beautiful. His fur shimmered in the light like it had tiny stars caught in it. His eyes were the same glowing gold from her dream.
He didn't run.
He didn't growl.
He just stood there, watching her.
Elira took one step forward. Then another.
Her heart beat hard in her chest, but she wasn't afraid.
"I saw you," she said softly. "In my dream."
The wolf tilted his head.
"I think you've been waiting for me."
He stepped forward too, slow and quiet. His paws made no sound on the grass.
Elira raised her hand.
He came close enough to press his nose to her fingers. Warm breath. Real fur.
A spark lit in her chest.
And then, as if from somewhere inside her mind, a voice spoke.
You came.
She gasped. "Was that you?"
Only those who listen with their hearts can hear.
Tears touched her eyes. She didn't know why. The sound of that voice made her feel safe and seen all at once.
"Who are you?" she whispered.
I am the one who waits. The one your mother once knew.
Elira's hand went to the silver ring on her finger.
"My mother… she knew you?"
She walked this path too.
Elira's heart thudded. "Am I like her?"
You are more. You are still becoming.
The wolf turned, and where he stepped, the trees opened just slightly, as if making a path.
Come. There is more to see.
Elira looked once behind her, toward the path she had left.
Then she looked ahead, at the wolf who had waited.
She took a breath.
And she followed him into the forest, her steps soft and sure.
The forest didn't feel scary anymore.
It felt like home.