Chapter 78. Sia’s Unexpected Visitor

Celeste’s POV

Sia’s forced smile faltered for just a heartbeat. “No, nothing like that,” she explained gently. “I was thinking of taking a personal journey to my old pack grounds, for reasons I’d rather not discuss right now. But really, let’s not dwell on that. We have dinner to plan—remember? Tomorrow morning, ingredients; tomorrow afternoon, cooking; tomorrow evening, celebration.”

I felt the flicker of sadness behind her eyes, despite the brave mask she wore. Sia often seemed so cheerful—and yet now I understood that sometimes the broadest smiles hide the heaviest burdens. For a moment, I lingered in front of her cottage, watching her straighten the hem of her apron, and I promised myself I would support her in whatever emotional journey lay ahead. But first, there were mushrooms to find, a feast to prepare, and a whole village to remind that even in uncertain times, we still had each other.

***

The next morning, I ventured into the fores