Steam curled gently around Celeste, filling the luxurious shower chamber, fogging the smooth marble walls and mirrors. The warmth of the water cascaded over her tired body, soothing muscles stiffened by weeks of immobility. Yet despite the physical relief, her heart remained heavy, her spirit disconnected.
Slowly, she slid down the tiled wall, settling on the shower floor. Drawing her knees to her chest, she wrapped her arms tightly around them, allowing the hot water to pour relentlessly over her. Each droplet felt like it carried away a piece of the darkness that had settled within her, yet she knew much remained.
She closed her eyes, breathing deeply, searching within herself for that familiar spark, the presence she'd lost touch with for too long. Her wolf had always been her strengt
