Chapter 6 

The crisp autumn air wrapped around me as I stepped into the small café, the door chiming softly behind me. I took a deep breath, inhaling the warm scent of coffee and freshly baked bread. The weight of the last few days clung to me, heavy and suffocating, but here, with my friends, I hoped to find a piece of myself again. 

“Eloise!” Luna Adrianna called out, her eyes lighting up when she saw me. Her dark curls bounced as she waved me over to the corner table, where she sat with Luna Faye. I smiled weakly and made my way toward them, feeling the familiar pull of the pack bond, even if I no longer had one. “You look tired,” Faye said bluntly, her sharp blue eyes assessing me. “And not in a good way.” “Thanks, Faye,” I muttered, sliding into the seat across from them. “Just what I needed to hear.” She shrugged. “We‘ re wolves. We don‘ t sugarcoat things.” 

Adrianna gave her a nudge, rolling her eyes. “What she means is, we’re here to help.” Her voice softened, and she reached out to touch my hand. “You‘ ve been through hell, Eloise. We just want to remind you that you‘ re not alone.” 

I swallowed the lump forming in my throat. They had no idea how much those words meant. Since leaving Joshua and the Moonriver Pack, I had felt adrift, like a leaf torn from its branch, swept away by the winds of a life I hadn’t chosen. 

Adrianna leaned back in her chair, studying me with her sharp gaze. “You need to remember who you are. You‘ re not just Alpha Joshua’s former Luna. You‘ re Eloise–strong, fierce, and capable of so much more than you think.” 

“Yeah,” Faye chimed in, a wicked grin spreading across her face. “And that starts with a little makeover.” 

My eyebrows shot up. “A makeover?” 

Adrianna chuckled. “Oh, you better believe it. You‘ ve been drowning in Luna duties for so long, you’ve forgotten the fierce she–wolf underneath. Let us help you find her again.” 

I 

opened my mouth to protest, but Faye was already on her feet, dragging me out of my chair., “No arguments. Let’s go. I know just the place.” 

Two hours later, I barely recognized the reflection staring back at me in the mirror. Gone was the tired, worn–down Luna who had lost herself in the shadows of her mate. In her place stood a woman with sharp, defined cheekbones, eyes that sparkled with a dangerous edge, and hair that flowed in soft, effortless waves. 

“Now that’s the Eloise I remember,” Faye said with a satisfied grin, crossing her arms as she admired the transformation. “A total knockout.” 

I laughed, a real, genuine laugh that I hadn’t felt in what seemed like forever. “I have to admit, I didn t expect this. But I… I feel like me again.” 

11 

Adrianna smiled softly. “That’s the point, Eloise. You‘ ve given so much of yourself to the pack, to Joshua, that you forgot to take care of yourself. It’s time to change that.” 

I glanced at her, my heart heavy with gratitude. “Thank you. Both of you.” 

“Enough with the sappy stuff,” Faye interjected, rolling her eyes dramatically. “We’ve got more important things to discuss.‘ 

Adrianna‘ s expression turned serious as she nodded. “She’s right. Have you heard about the rogues?” 

The mention of rogues sent a shiver down my spine. “I’ve heard whispers. What’s going on?” Faye’s face darkened, her usually playful demeanor replaced by something far more dangerous. “They’ve been infiltrating smaller packs, causing chaos. There are rumors that they‘ re banding together, growing stronger.” 

Adrianna leaned forward, lowering her voice. “It’s more than just random attacks now. They‘ re organized. Some say they‘ re trying to take down the larger packs one by one. We‘ ve even heard whispers that a few Alphas might be involved, working with the rogues from the inside.” 

My stomach twisted at the thought. Rogue wolves were always a threat, but this… this was something different. Something far more dangerous. 

“That’s insane,” I muttered. “Why would any Alpha side with 

rogues?” 

Adrianna shrugged. “Power. Greed. Who knows? But whatever it is, it’s bad news. There’s a gathering in the capital next week to discuss how to handle the threat. You should come.” blinked in surprise. “What? No, I–I’m not a Luna anymore. I don’t have a pack. Why would I go?” Faye rolled her eyes. “Oh, please. You‘ re still a Luna, whether you have a pack or not, You‘ ve earned respect, Eloise. Everyone knows what you did for Moonriver. Just because you‘ re not there now doesn’t mean you‘ re any less of a leader.” 

“Faye‘ s right,” Adrianna added, her tone firm. “You‘ re one of us, and we need to stand together. You don’t stop being a Luna just because you left one pack. We’re stronger when we‘ I hesitated, the weight of their words pressing down on me. Could I still be a Luna without a pack? Without Joshua? I had left that life behind, hadn’t I? 

re united.” 

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