Grimoire grumbles a little, but he obediently pops back into his book form, saying he needs to run some calculations before we can get started.


    I grab Grimoire''s book form and place it on the dining table, my fingers lingering on its worn leather cover. A pang of worry shoots through me as I glance at Aurum, his massive form unmoving despite the commotion. Is he okay? He didn''t even greet me when I returned. He must be in a deep sleep.@@@@


    He is, Selene confirms. He needs this rest. Don''t worry too much.


    Kellan drags my attention back to him as he recounts the harrowing events of the mission that should have been easy.


    Hunters. The word alone is chilling.


    "Are these hunters an already existing faction, or did you name them that yourself?"


    "No, there''s no existing faction of hunters. But they''re obviously hunting."


    Vanessa and Vester nod along with his words.


    "We need to limit our contact with the outside world," Vanessa says, absently twirling a strand of hair around her finger. I''ve never seen that nervous gesture from her before. "My biggest concern is over supplies. This mission was also to help stock up on supplies, and now we don''t have them. We need safe drinking water. Shelf-stable food.


    Meat. More blankets and clothes for the upcoming winter. We don''t have long before we''re freezing at night. I''m surprised it hasn''t happened already."


    "And snow," Lisa pipes up thoughtfully. "What are we going to do when it snows?"


    Running water is a problem for most of the houses here. There are a few giant tanks that supply a few buildings, and some—like mine—run off a well, so it isn''t absolutely detrimental to be without bottles of water. But it is a massive inconvenience for many.


    Some of the buildings even lack electricity and basic plumbing, and will be reliant on wood stoves for the winter.


    "Who lived here before us?" I ask, drumming my fingers against my forearm as I think.


    "There are a number of families here from a rogue pack. They have no alpha, and have been under the protection of Westwood for generations. This is the land given to them a long time ago, and they''ve been building it up in case it was ever needed," explains Vester.


    "And the hospital here? That isn''t for a few families of wolves, and it''s been here a while."


    "Yes, they founded a hospital that treated rogue wolves in the area, with the permission of an Alpha long ago. There were transient families who came and went, all rogues. And from what Dr. Blackwell has said, they have learned to treat other supernaturals while keeping it quiet. I believe now that some of their human staff were not always humans."


    "I see." It makes sense that more people in the world would know of the Fae and gnomes than just me. My eyes have been opened to the vast world beyond pack borders; while I once thought humans were sheltered because they didn''t understand life inside a pack, I''m now realizing wolves are just as sheltered as humans, living within our own realities.


    "Go ahead. I''m going to check on our food situation. I can''t keep relying on Kellan for everything."


    As Lisa heads off, Selene''s voice echoes in my mind. I''m proud of you, Ava. You''re stepping up.


    I turn to see her blue eyes fixed on me, her tail swishing gently. "Thanks, Selene. That means a lot." My gaze drifts to Aurum, still curled up on the floor. "Will you stay with him?"


    Of course. I''ll keep an eye on him. Go, take care of your pack.


    Despite the stress of everything, I feel a comfortable warmth in my chest. Aside from missing Lucas, I''m starting to feel...


    Well, not exactly happy. It''s hard to be happy with the situation the world is in. With the situation my pack is in.


    But having a place I belong—having people who want me here—is a massive boost to my soul.


    No, I''m not happy. But I belong.


    It''s a good feeling.


    Maybe I''m already growing into my Luna crown.


    I wrap my arms around Selene''s neck, burying my face in her soft fur, feeling a burst of gratitude for her presence in my life. "Thank you," I whisper before pulling away.


    Go on, little one.


    Stepping outside, I approach one of my guards. "Can you take me to where we store our food?"


    To my surprise, he nods without hesitation. I guess a part of me really does feel like I have to ask permission from my guards, but things have changed.


    Now, they''re my subordinates.


    I''m going to have to be careful. I don''t want to abuse my authority.


    But it kind of feels good. Empowering. Like I''m coming into my own. No more worries about gilded cages; that part of my life is long over.


    "Of course, Luna." He calls over to another wolf nearby. "Wes, can you lead Luna Ava to the storage area?"