Alison's POV
I woke up to the first rays of sunlight filtering through the curtains, but the light did nothing to chase away the heavy dread weighing on my chest. My heart thumped erratically, a wild rhythm of anxiety that refused to settle. Today was the day. The Ancestor’s Ceremony.
"Please, Moon Goddess, I prayed silently, staring up at the ceiling. Help me get through this. Help me prove myself"
The quiet plea echoed in my mind as I forced myself to get out of bed. My feet hit the cold floor, and I wrapped my arms around myself, trying to calm the tremor in my fingers.
The bath was lukewarm, but it did little to ease the knot in my stomach. I scrubbed every inch of my skin, as though washing away my doubt and fear. As I slipped into the dress I’d carefully chosen... a soft, flowin
