6. NEW BEGINNING

**ISABELLA** 

“Are you sure about this? People dream of having hair as healthy and long as yours,” the hairstylist hesitated, scissors poised in hand.

“Yes,” I smiled faintly, meeting his gaze in the mirror.

The metallic snip echoed louder than I anticipated as the scissors sliced through my waist-length hair, a treasure I had nurtured for years. I had grown it long because Maximilian liked the woman with long hair. Even though he never noticed mine, I had still worn it long. But that chapter of my life was over.

Two months had passed since I left the Black Mountain Pack and moved to the city. I had no pack to return to, and my father’s was out of the question. This was my new beginning. To move on from Maximilian, I was determined to let go of every trace of my old self. New clothes, a different lifestyle, and now short hair.

I knew these changes wouldn't erase my feelings for him, but I had to try.

“All done,” the hairstylist announced.

I reached up, running my fingers through the unfamiliar length. The silky strands barely brushed my shoulders. Staring at my reflection, I barely recognized myself. I looked different. Stronger. Maybe even free.

Mom wouldn’t recognize me either. I chuckled bitterly at the thought. Not that she would care. I had left without saying goodbye to anyone. In the two months since I left, she hadn’t called me once. She was probably thrilled that I was finally gone, living the blissful life she always dreamed of with Alpha Jonathan.

Leaving the salon, I walked toward a nearby restaurant to pick up dinner. I planned on getting takeout, but my steps faltered when I spotted a tall man talking on his phone. My breath caught. For a heart-stopping moment, I thought it was Maximilian.

But as the man turned, disappointment settled in my chest. Of course, it wasn’t him.

I exhaled shakily, clutching the takeout bag tighter. I had promised myself I wouldn’t think of him, but every time I saw a man with his height and broad build, my heart betrayed me.

Deep down, I knew Maximilian must hate me now. I had lost my mind that night, acting on impulse and desire. I had taken advantage of his rut for my own selfish needs. Shame tightened my chest at the memory. He must have woken up disgusted, and even repulsed.

That was why I couldn't face him ever again. I could not bear his hatred. He was better off forgetting I ever existed. And I knew he would have started forgetting me by now. I was just no one and he was surrounded by way too many people. Yet, the thought of being erased from his memory was excruciating. 

However, I knew that we would never meet again. 

“Isabella? Is that you?”

The familiar voice startled me. I turned to see Sabrina approaching, a bright smile lighting up her face.

“It really is you!” she exclaimed.

“Hi,” I greeted, smiling shyly. I still felt intimidated by her tall, confident presence. At 5’8”, she towered over my modest 5’5”.

“You got a haircut! You look amazing.”

I touched my hair self-consciously. Compliments were rare for me, and I wasn’t used to them. “Thanks.”

“Now I get why you skipped work today after classes,” she grinned.

“I had some things to take care of,” I explained, returning her smile.

After leaving the Black Mountain Pack, I tried to put my life back on track. I enrolled at a university and just a week ago school started for the term. My grades were decent, but my savings weren’t enough for a prestigious school, so I settled for a modest one. I met Sabrina during orientation that we had together, and despite being in different departments. She even helped me land a part-time job at a restaurant near campus to cover my expenses. She was a great person but I could not call her friend just because she was good to me. She was so beautiful and popular to be my friend. 

We chatted about random things while waiting in line to pay for our orders. As we exited the restaurant together, Sabrina playfully tugged at my hair.

“Next time, take me with you! I want a haircut too,” she laughed.

I smiled, nodding. She had touched my hair many times. It seemed the haircut was really beautiful. 

Under the vast night sky, I made my way back to the Half Moon Rogue Pack. It was originally a pack of rogues. Since I had nowhere to go and living among humans could be dangerous even though I was wolfless, I joined this rogue pack. It was the pack of those wolves that had nowhere to go and I was the same. These rogues were also like pack wolves and had a big territory.  I did not have a place to live so I rented a room in a share house in the territory. It was a charming place with three bedrooms and all the essential amenities. The rent wasn’t exactly cheap, but it was more manageable than renting a full apartment.

As soon as I stepped inside, my gaze fell on a pair of boots neatly placed by the doorway. I froze. Whose were they?

For the past month, I had been the sole occupant of the house. The sight of those boots sent a shiver down my spine. Was someone here?

Silently, I moved into the living room, where I could see all three bedroom doors. Mine was to the left, and the other two had always remained locked until now. One of the doors, the room beside mine, was slightly ajar for the first time.

I blinked, remembering that the landlord had mentioned a new tenant might be moving in. It seemed they had finally arrived. I stood there motionless feeling a little restless. Who was it?