Elira walked home as the morning sun rose over the hills. Her bare feet moved softly through the grass, and the silver leaf stayed safe in her hand.
When she reached the edge of the village, the little houses were waking up. Smoke curled from the chimneys, and birds sang from the rooftops. Everything felt warm and calm.
Old Nana stood on the porch with her hands on her hips and a worried look on her face.
"Elira Mae," she called out. "Where have you been, child?"
Elira ran up and gave her a hug.
"I'm sorry, Nana," she said. "I just needed to walk. The moon was so big and pretty last night."
Nana let out a soft sigh, but she hugged Elira back.
"You're just like your mother," she said. "Always chasing moonlight."
Elira's heart jumped a little.
"You knew my mother?" she asked.
Nana's eyes looked far away for a moment.
"She was kind. And very brave. Just like you."
After breakfast, while Nana worked in the garden, Elira wandered through the little cottage. Her feet led her to the cupboard near the fireplace. It was small and old, with vines and stars carved into the wood. A rusty little lock kept it shut.
She had seen it many times before, but never opened it. Nana always said, "That's for grown-up things."
But today felt different.
Elira knelt down and touched the cupboard door. Her fingers moved over the carvings. There were tiny leaves, moon shapes, and a howling wolf.
A wolf.
She reached into her pocket and took out the silver leaf.
When she held it near the lock, she heard a click. The door creaked open.
Inside was a bundle wrapped in cloth. Elira opened it slowly.
There was an old photo of a woman with kind eyes holding a baby. Elira stared at it. She had never seen her mother's face before, but she knew. It was her.
There was also a wooden charm shaped like a moon, a small silver ring, and a piece of paper with strange symbols.
Elira picked up the ring. It shimmered softly, just like the leaves of the Heart Tree.
Then Nana came inside.
"Elira…"
Elira looked up. "I'm sorry, Nana. I didn't mean to open it."
But Nana didn't look angry. She looked gentle.
"You opened it," she said quietly.
Elira nodded. "Yes."
"Then the forest really has called you."
"You knew about the forest?" Elira asked.
Nana sat down beside her.
"I knew," she said. "That cupboard belonged to your mother. She was part of the forest too. The same magic lives in you."
Elira held the picture close to her chest.
"Why didn't you tell me?" she asked.
"I was waiting," Nana said. "Waiting for your heart to be ready."
Elira looked at the cupboard. It didn't feel secret anymore. It felt like it had been waiting for her all along.
"I think I'm ready now," she said.
Nana smiled. "Then listen to the forest. It will guide you. One step at a time, little wolf."