Moonbound: The Alpha's Chosen

The door of "Hunter's Moon Bar" closed behind Emily, the smell of smoke and whiskey enveloping her. She instinctively touched the wolf-head necklace at her throat, taking a deep breath. According to her source, the most recent victim had last been seen here.

The interior was more upscale than she'd imagined, with wood decor and leather seats creating the atmosphere of a hunting lodge. Animal head trophies hung on the walls, glass eyes glittering in the dim light, seeming to watch every visitor.

"Alone?" The bartender looked up, his voice carrying a barely detectable wariness.

"Information," Emily cut to the chase, placing down a photo, "Jack Williams, drinking here three days ago, found dead in the forest the next day. Did anyone see who he was with?"

The bartender glanced at the photo, his expression closing off: "Don't remember faces."

Emily sighed, placing down twenty dollars: "How about now?"

"That night he argued with some out-of-towners," the bartender pocketed the money, lowering his voice, "Well-dressed, spoke with an accent. Not the type to mess with. Left after midnight alone, headed toward the forest."

"What kind of accent?"

The bartender hesitated momentarily: "Old, like European nobility."

Emily was about to probe further when a rough palm suddenly covered her shoulder, the smell of alcohol and sweat washing over her.

"A pretty girl alone in a place like this isn't safe," the drunk's voice was gravelly, his fingers slowly sliding toward her neck, "Need protection?"

Emily tried to break free: "No, thank you."

"Don't be so quick to refuse." The drunk leaned in, his breath brushing her earlobe, "I could tell you secrets about the forest... the truth about those 'beasts.'"

This statement put Emily on alert: "What truth?"

The drunk laughed, revealing yellowish teeth: "Gotta pay a price to know, sweetheart." His hand slid to her waist, "My car's just outside..."

Emily pushed him away forcefully: "Get lost!"

The drunk's face changed abruptly, grabbing her wrist with surprising strength: "Didn't anyone teach you manners?"

Just as Emily was about to scream, the bar door opened, a cold wind sweeping in, carrying the scent of pine and expensive cologne. The entire bar suddenly fell silent.

Lucas Stone stood in the doorway, his gaze fixed on the drunk's hand. He approached slowly, each step bearing the elegance and danger of a predator.

"Let her go," his voice was low, but clearly audible in the dead-silent bar.

The drunk turned, his drunkenness seemingly dissipating instantly: "This ain't your business, young master Stone."

"She is my business," Lucas moved closer, his height advantage allowing him to look down, "Last warning, let go."

A palpable tension filled the air, and Emily sensed some invisible power struggle between them. Inexplicably, the drunk backed down first, muttering as he walked away.

"Thanks, though I could've handled it," Emily rubbed her wrist, reluctantly expressing gratitude.

Lucas sat beside her, his gaze lingering on her reddened wrist: "Of course, I could tell." He gestured to the bartender for drinks, "Do you always go looking for trouble like this?"

"Professional requirement," Emily examined his perfect profile, "Following me?"

"Coincidence," Lucas swirled his glass, the amber liquid reflecting his eyes, "Or... intuition."

That word reminded Emily of what Catherine had said. Strangely, her usual dislike for Lucas was now mixed with other emotions—curiosity, and an attraction she was reluctant to admit.

"That guy knew something," she said softly.

Lucas's gaze sharpened: "Don't pursue it. Some answers will change your life, Emily."

Their eyes met, close enough to feel each other's breath. Emily saw genuine concern in his eyes, completely different from his arrogant college image.

"Why do you care?" she asked softly.

Lucas reached out, his fingertips lightly touching her necklace, the wolf head seeming to warm in his hand: "Some connections... once formed, cannot be severed."

His touch made Emily's heart race, a strange warmth spreading from the necklace throughout her body. Outside, the clouds parted, moonlight pouring in, illuminating their meeting gaze and that unspoken tension.