Chapter 19. Finding Belonging

Celeste’s POV

I finally felt like I truly belonged to the pack. At last I could shift, I had befriended my inner wolf, and I’d learned to harness my magic—manifesting it as a crackling, mystical fire—and used that power to defeat Nora, the toughest girl in our ranks. Even Nyra was talking to me again, offering nods and smiles I’d never seen since I’d departed the Crimson Howl pack. I don’t think I’ve ever been this happy.

With that newfound confidence, I strolled through the village, greeting every woman I passed, until I arrived at our guardian squirrel’s usual perch on a low stone wall.

“Good morning today, little squirrel. I hope all is well,” I called cheerfully, grinning down at the tiny creature. But instead of twitching its nose at my words, the furry critter simply stared, unblinking, into the depths of the forest.

I laughed nervously. “What is it? Do you see some acorns or something over there?” I teased, but the squirrel didn’t even twitch a